While pessimistic and partisan critics of efforts currently underway in Iraq continually assert that there can be “no military solution” to the problems that Iraqi’s face, other observers and experts point out that necessary political, economic, and diplomatic gains will not be possible except in an environment of relative stability and security.
Critics of the current Iraq “surge” strategy point to the early lack of significant political progress to date by the Iraqi national parliament, as reason enough to cut off any further support for the surge strategy and the Iraqi government itself, even though many reluctantly acknowledge some early progress in the areas of security and stability, which are the first mission of the troops presently in-theater.
While national politicians in both Washington and Iraq continue to posture and jockey for political advantage and power, not factored into the “benchmarks” yardstick has been the surprizing surge of grass-roots and local reconciliation and development efforts in Iraq, often made possible and encouraged by the increased troop levels of both US and Iraqi forces, and by aggressive sustained counter-insurgency operations, both part of the new Iraq strategy for success.
Many observers have pointed to security gains as being a necessary “primary indicator” of success, with progress towards arbitrary benchmarks in political and economic matters to be achieved later, as more-or-less “lagging indicators”.
There is increasing evidence that such observers are, in fact, correct.
According to a recent article by Master Sergeant Dave Larson of the US 1st Calvary Division in Iraq, Haifa Street in Baghdad’s city center, west of the Tigris River, was “once a hot-bed of extremist activity”.
Haifa Street was a much-publicized “battleground for the 1st Calvary Division when they operated in Baghdad in 2004-2005, and again earlier this year” in the run-up to the current troop surge, writes Larson.
The Haifa Street neighborhood is now a “model neighborhood”, one of several enjoying growth in Baghdad, and in other cities and communities across Iraq.
Citing a dramatic turnaround since earlier this year, Larson quotes Brigadier General Vincent Brooks, the deputy commanding general for support, as saying of Haifa, “Now we have a thriving market area that is starting to grow.”
According to the general “All things start with security”, adding that the “Mansour [neighborhood] has a very active district coucil that is functioning very, very well, and our recent security operations have enhanced that, so they feel more and more secure,” writes Larson.
Threats still remain, however, says Brooks. “You have to recognize that people who are performing well, especially in harmony, are often TARGETED by extremists who don’t want to see good governance to ever form here.”
Brooks continues: “We wouldn’t have any of these successes, we’d have no progress if it weren’t for the contributions of our troops who are out there. We ask an awful lot of our soldiers who are deployed over here. But their energy, their passion, their willingness to keep trying in the face of deliberate setbacks at the hands of the enemy, or at the hands of sometimes the Iraqi’s themselves, they’re out there every day and they keep moving forward,” writes Larson.
According to Larson, “the marketplace in Rusafa District, in what is known as “Old Baghdad” on the east side of the Tigris River, is [but one] of those success stories.”
According to Lt Col John Rudolf, assistant chief of staff of civil military operations for the Multi-National Division in Baghdad, “Shoppers feel much safer going into the market now, and they’ve actually seen an increase in the number of local citizen using that market. It’s a perception, an attitude that the stigma of the random violence has lessened.”
The Doura Market in the southern Rashid District is often a stop for visiting dignitaries to Baghdad, writes Larson.
According to Col Rudolf, the Doura Market “went from an unorganized street market of only a few dozen vendors, to a thriving marketplace with more than 200 sellers now.”
The 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division from Fort Riley, Kansas, now operates in Rashid, and is following up on their success in other areas there with suicide-bomber barriers, solar powered lights, and Iraqi security forces doing random patrols of the area, writes Larson.
According to Rudolph, “The shoppers there feel much safer in that environment. Because of these security measures, more shops have opened up.”
Getting better – every day.
