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. (more…)
