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| Iraq |
| US airstrikes in Iraq target militants |
| 2008-04-10 |
| A U.S. airstrike targeted a building in Baghdad's Sadr City on Thursday, hours after American soldiers clashed with Shiite militants in fighting that left 15 people dead, police and the U.S. military said. The renewed violence coincided with the Congressional testimony of the Bush administration's top two officials in Iraq — Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker. Petraeus recommended a pause in drawing down U.S. troops in Iraq while the security situation remains unstable and President Bush is expected to follow his recommendation. But Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki disagreed with Petraeus' proposal to delay further U.S. troop withdrawals, citing the growing capabilities of Iraq's own security forces. Petraeus wants the U.S. to complete by the end of July the withdrawal of the 20,000 troops that were sent to Iraq last year, leaving about 140,000 in the country. Beyond that, the general proposed a 45-day evaluation period to be followed by an indefinite period of assessment before any further pullouts. Al-Maliki, however, has said he disagrees with that decision. The prime minister told Bush during a 20-minute telephone conversation on Wednesday that Iraqi security forces are capable of carrying out their duties and U.S. troops should be pulled out as the situation permits, according to a senior government adviser who sat in on the phone conversation. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to disclose the confidential details. ... |
| Posted by:ed |
| #9 Of course, Saladin's army were Kurds... |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2008-04-10 23:20 |
| #8 As limited as the Iraqi Army still is, it is already probably the most professionally competent army in the Arab world (ever?) |
| Posted by: Glenmore 2008-04-10 18:35 |
| #7 But not yet in, say, Egypt or the Magic Kingdom. |
| Posted by: lotp 2008-04-10 17:42 |
| #6 A lot of the issues, like logistics and maintenance, won't be addressed until there is major cultural adjustment. That can't happen for 40 years or so because you just have to wait for those generations to move on and the younger ones who aren't saddled with the saddam baggage and the inshallah attitude to mature. That's why it will take a long time, but it will happen, just as it did in Korea, Japan, etc.. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2008-04-10 16:58 |
| #5 And Iran won't be able to put together an army with nearly as much mass because for sure it would turn on the government! They're probably shaking in their curly-toed slippers. |
| Posted by: gorb 2008-04-10 16:12 |
| #4 The big issues seem to be logistics and air support. Bill Roggio mentions they have a hard time keeping their vehicles in working order. The big issue is going to be the air force. I do not see Iraq having pilots who can defend Iraq from Iraq or Turkey for many years to come. Al |
| Posted by: Frozen Al 2008-04-10 16:11 |
| #3 Targeting Militants now instead of baby ducks, fluffy bunnies and little kittens? Good Job! /sarcasm Maliki may be jumping the gun, for political purposes. But the ISF are coming around pretty well. The major problem is still consistency and corruption. And they need us bird-dogging them to root that crap out, and turn them into a seriously professional fighting force. Once he gets 50% of his forces to 'A' level readiness (and the remaining have no more than 1/3 in C or lower state), we will be able to draw down a lot more. National and Local Police are becoming the key issue. One thing for sure, Iran is going to be a bit nervous with that solid a military next door, trained and expert in US tactics and (more importantly) logistics. And not afraid or beholden to them. |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2008-04-10 15:21 |
| #2 It will be interesting to see the progress made by the Iraqi Army and police over the next 6 - 12 months. The change in the last 12 months has been huge, but there are still lots of issues. One would think that the improvement would start to accelerate as the NCO and junior officer corps begin to mature. Hopefully we can continue the drawdown. |
| Posted by: remoteman 2008-04-10 13:35 |
| #1 "U.S. troops should be pulled out as the situation permits" So Maliki's statements conflict with those of Petraeus HOW? I think I see a bit of spin here. |
| Posted by: tipover 2008-04-10 10:52 |