O’Connor quits. The war begins.
ON THE BRIGHT SIDE: A reader cautions against excessive pessimism over Iraq:
The still-forming Iraqi army remains, for the time being, behind the product of many years of terrorist camp training. Yet, we are seeing signs of success. The next stage, once the Iraqis pull even or ahead on the learning curve and acquire the depth of personnel that will allow sophisticated counter-terror, counter-intelligence operations, infiltration of enemy ranks becomes possible. Over time and with perhaps a bit of guidance from us and others on how to manage and use inside information most effectively, I believe there is a good, maybe excellent, chance that profound progress can be made. I am obviously an optimist, but not without cause. Recruiting is up in Iraq even if flat here. They do seem to want their own country and they do not seem happy with being terror bombed. They are not running, they are fighting back. This is healthy. Further, while it seems that most here in the US are alarmed at the number of foreign fighters coming to Iraq, there is something positive to be said about this development as well. The object in conventional war is to locate and destroy the enemy. Where once diffuse, those with sufficient levels of animosity such that they are motivated to make the trip to Iraq and fight are precisely those we need to locate and destroy. The process, as in any war, features setbacks as well as successes. Time will tell, but the signs are not all bad.
Fair points. I can also see the logic behind Kenneth Pollack’s practical proposals today. Accelerating reconstruction in areas of relative calm must obviously be a priority; and basic law and order would help as well.
The Dish 