Ralph Peters writes a terrific column in the New York Post today to explain the recent bomb attack in Iraq that killed over 250 civilians. Peters maintains that the sole purpose of attacks like this are to deliver a message to Congress. The victims in this case were from a minority sect in Iraq, so that shows Al Qaeda has figured out that killing other Muslims has backfired, turning their own support base against them (and helping us). They're simply striving to achieve the impression that the violence is continuing unabated in Iraq, rather than the truth that they are on the run and desperate.
Peters goes on the point out why Petraeus has been successful: first, he's relentless, and that means our troops have become relentless, pushing any advantage until we achieve complete victory instead of pulling back; second, he trusts his leaders to do their jobs, allowing him to focus on the overall strategic goal...winning.
"Al Qaeda down, Iran out and sectarian violence reduced. Sounds like a plan."
And it's working. Earlier this week, Petraeus announced plans to begin drawing down our troop levels. Keep in mind, this drawdown would be the result of success, not failure. He said, "It's all about the local people. When all [of a] sudden the local people are on the side of the new Iraq instead of on the side of the insurgents or even al-Qaida, that's a very significant change." This is the strategic goal that the U.S. was looking for. Bring it home, General!
There's my two cents.
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