Patterns of War Shift in Iraq Amid U.S. Buildup (Surge is a Bust)

[hang a left]

Source: NYT:



BAGHDAD, April 8 — Nearly two months into the new security push in Baghdad, there has been some success in reducing the number of death squad victims found crumpled in the streets each day.

And while the overall death rates for all of Iraq have not dropped significantly, largely because of devastating suicide bombings, a few parts of the capital have become calmer as some death squads have decided to lie low.

But there is little sign that the Baghdad push is accomplishing its main purpose: to create an island of stability in which Sunni Arabs, Shiite Arabs and Kurds can try to figure out how to run the country together. There has been no visible move toward compromise on the main dividing issues, like regional autonomy and more power sharing between Shiites and Sunnis.

For American troops, Baghdad has become a deadlier battleground as they have poured into the capital to confront Sunni and Shiite militias on their home streets. The rate of American deaths in the city over the first seven weeks of the security plan has nearly doubled from the previous period, though it has stayed roughly the same over all, decreasing in other parts of the country as troops have focused on the capital.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/09/world/middleeast/09surge.html?ex=1333771200&en=84714caee3330e99&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss

[leftchick]

1. "give the surge a chance! Not all of the troops are there yet"

next warmongering excuse to stay for fucking ever.

[saigon68]

4. Many more will die

For Cheney's riches

[leftchick]

9. hi saigon

I was thinking of you today and hope all is well. :)

[saigon68]

11. kick

Thanks

[cliss]

2. OMG...for the first time,

I feel so sorry for the troops. This photo makes it very real, just the incredibly obstacles the US forces have.
They have incompetent leadership, and they're doing their best.
It's the Blind leading the Blind...down deadly alleyways in Sadr City..

[PDJane]

3. You can't win a conventional high-tech weaponry war

against a native "insurgency". Even with the dirty tricks stuff espoused by Brig.-Gen. Frank Kitson. Bombing runs kill lots of civilians, gas kills lots of civilians, DU kills everyone, even your own troops.

This isn't going to be won with a bunch of nukes.

Sooner or later, the US and Israel will learn this. Maybe. It isn't as though they've not been taught once or twice.........

[aquart]

5. Israel?

What exactly has Israel been "taught," in your humble opinion?

[4dsc]

7. A couple of lessons in Lebanon for starters

EOM!!

[SpiralHawk]

6. "Time for me to surge off on vacation again." - Commander AWOL

"Heigh ho for the Imperial Pig Farm Upon Crawford."

- Commander AWOL

[roamer65]

8. "Whack a mole."

I think that's all I need to say.

[gratuitous]

10. Don't those insurgents understand?

They're supposed to fight the American wehrmacht toe to toe! Gee whiz, how is the surge supposed to work if the insurgents don't line up like lambs to the slaughter? It's like they're trying to make us lose or look bad!

Nobody could have predicted that.

[Supersedeas]

12. where is the political and diplomatic efforts -- where is Condi??