U.S. commander points to progress in parts of Iraq

[Gan]

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- A new approach by American-led forces in Iraq is producing "breathtaking" improvements in security in some areas, says Lt. Gen. David Petraeus, commander of U.S. forces in the country, but al Qaeda in Iraq remains well-entrenched in some Baghdad neighborhoods.

In an exclusive interview with CNN, Petraeus said the situation in Anbar, the restive Sunni province west of the Iraqi capital, has been "truly transformed in recent months, as the Anbaris and the tribes have decided to oppose al Qaeda and fight with the coalition forces against them."

"What's taken place in Anbar is almost breathtaking," he said. "In the last several months, tribes that turned a blind eye to what al Qaeda was doing in that province are now opposing al Qaeda very vigorously. And the level of violence in Anbar has plummeted; although there clearly is still work to be done. (Watch a CNN exclusive interview with Petraeus as he discusses Iraq (javascript:cnnVideo('play','/video/world/2007/06/07/gorani.petraeus.interview.cnn','2009/06/06');) http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/.element/img/1.5/main/icon_video.gif (javascript:cnnVideo('play','javascript:cnnVideo(' play','/video/world/2007/06/07/gorani.petraeus.interview.cnn','2009/06/06');','2007/06/07');))

"Our strategy has always been with this new approach to determine who are the reconcilables and to separate them from the irreconcilables, the extremists," he said. (Watch how some Iraqi insurgents are turning on al Qaeda in Iraq militants (javascript:cnnVideo('play','/video/world/2007/06/07/penhaul.iraq.backlash.cnn','2009/06/06');))

But the picture is not consistent, Petraeus said, and the increase in U.S. forces had been more effective in some areas than others.

Tough work remains to be done in Diyala province north of Baghdad, and al Qaeda remains able to use neighborhoods around the capital to build and dispatch car bombs, he said.

He also acknowledged that after a substantial reduction in sectarian killings in the capital between January and April, the deaths have risen again in May.

The general's visit to the CNN office in Baghdad was unannounced. He said he had been visiting with Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari nearby, and together they'd decided to take a walk in a part of Baghdad that is well-protected. He said it was the minister's idea to knock on CNN's door.

Petraeus said all elements connected to the increase in U.S. forces will be on the ground within two weeks, including a Marine expeditionary unit and combat aviation brigade moving toward Baghdad from Kuwait.

Asked about the infiltration of the Iraqi police by militias, Petraeus said elements of Interior Ministry forces during 2006 were "hijacked by certain militia interests in particular."

"Some of those undoubtedly remain within the force," he said. "And as we identify those individuals, and we have, and we then take action with the Ministry of Interior against them."

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/06/07/petraeus.iraq/index.html

_____________________________________________

Now... I'm no expert on Iraq, since I can only claim Scotland on my mom's side and slavic gypsie (european heinz 57 variety) on my dad's side. :/

However, doesnt this sound like good news?

[Warriorbird]

That kinda like when the fellow said that insurgent violence had ended...err...how many years ago? Or when Bush said "mission accomplished?"

[Stanley Burrell]

I'm genuinely curious as to how a "turncoat" factor in these Iraqi provinces can be measured extensively.

I mean, does this Lt. General do statistical analysis based on intelligence gathered from some sort of, say, concise numerical measurement with a defined by-the-book-turning-against-Al-Qaeda variable put into place by research studies done by the 1st Division "we're only numerically measuring backstabbing factor" Brigade?

I guess I'm just more surprised when non-C.E.O.s believe that they're "winning the war on terror." I really think that the worst thing, IMHO, someone with this many arm stripes can do is believe in the magnitude of these sorts of blanket statements, unless their obligations are solely those belonging to public relations, which I still view as being problematic, but at least it would only effect Fox News listeners -- I mean, our soldiers are living and dying in the age of the terrorist ambush: Is it really fair to have someone this empowered, after what WB had mentioned above, toy with the lives of our fellow men and women just because one optimal situation has barely presented itself in a comparably unique incident?

[Latrinsorm]

When you use these little marks: "", aren't you supposed to, I don't know, actually be quoting someone?

Which "blanket statements" (see how that works?) of his are not borne out by the facts of the matter, Mr. Burrell?

[Artha]

When you use these little marks: "", aren't you supposed to, I don't know, actually be quoting someone?
It also indicates irony. See: Air quotes.

[Stanley Burrell]

Which "blanket statements" (see how that works?) of his are not borne out by the facts of the matter, Mr. Burrell?

Eh. The "ones" "about" "winning" "the" "war" "?"? -- Of course, that's my perspective (unless you care to differ, it's fair to assume that vast summarizations of groups people, in general, albeit Al Qaeda or the U.S. Military, which I proposed as an assumed truth with my cynical post [again, less concerning at the PR level for obvious purpouses IMHO.)]

I mean, you can be a fully accustomed disciple of "Mission Accomplished 2: This Time It's Not Mission Accomplished 1" ('Nother use of closed quotations multipurpouses, btw, and..? :shrug:) and use the popular copout of everything being hunky dorey until you're blue in the face and/or riddled with IED shrapnel. Now then, to rehash for the last time, I hope, on what I'd mentioned a lil' bit earlier:

Strap these officianados with an AR-15. Send them into the areas supposedly bereft of terrorist activity with the same strict, self-proclaimed winning/"winning" notion that greets this mentality. Give 'em an S.I. megaphone with the volume level well over churchbell noise violation standards when they begin thanking the local populouses for overthrowing Al Qaeda: Because this is honestly what I see as the dangerous paradox created if just about anyone at the commanding level, at least comtemporarily, actually believes the immediate one-sided, hand-me-down crock of shit that is U.S. foreign policy in Iraq and puts even a dime of a dollar into physical action with regard to said policy, with regard to said empowerment, with regard to said ideology reflecting news cameos, with regard to "".

As a registered Independent with severe Libertarian tendencies, I guess I just don't feel the need to peruse every single article released by every single official at every single interval at every single not-Druge media agency blitzes that somehow creates a 110% viable counterargument from being bound in internet media stone to echo anti-It's all O.K.! statements. I do feel the need to comment sometimes on the responsibility these high-ranked individuals are given, (and, if you're still with me from where I've been going regarding WHAT I AND/OR OTHERS INTERPRET as blanket statements in general), how those particular individuals can very well be endangering our troop and world's welfare as a direct result of spewing bullshit/truth/half-truths/etc. during the information age while upholding the capacity to immorally, or at least stupidly with poorly assumed pretense, commence a rather fucked up action as a result of this.

Now, normally I'd say that it would be in our standard American interests to quell media appearances by anyone from Private to Commander in Chief with regard to anything that bespeaks progress/"progress"/progress/pR0gr3zz in Iraq, but I think Americans and the world have been dumbed down so much because of the telephone game of media in the information age that it prolly doesn't make much of a difference anyway.



P.S. Or you could just take note of what Artha had mentioned :)

[Latrinsorm]

I guess I just don't feel the need to peruse every single article That's really all that was required, thanks. :)

[Stanley Burrell]

That's really all that was required, thanks. :)

That was in respect to forming an antithesis, which you half-quoted, but 'kay if it makes you feel better about yourself.

[Sean of the Thread]

I won't comment on stanley's dribble..

I will comment on the "Mission Accomplished".. it was accurate and correct.

I sometimes hope that there actually was a draft so some of you douche bags would actually know what being a serviceman is all about.. and by the same token know what being American is about.

Until then shut your fucking pie holes and pay your taxes... that is if you actually have a job.

[Stanley Burrell]

I won't comment on stanley's dribble..

I will comment on the "Mission Accomplished".. it was accurate and correct.

I sometimes hope that there actually was a draft so some of you douche bags would actually know what being a serviceman is all about.. and by the same token know what being American is about.

Until then shut your fucking pie holes and pay your taxes... that is if you actually have a job.

I would love to see nothing more than the children of politicians responsible for this calamity put in the face of the danger that they've created.

I'd risk my life to see that change.

[Warriorbird]

I sometimes hope that there actually was a draft so some of you douche bags would actually know what being a serviceman is all about.. and by the same token know what being American is about.
-Seans2

Because Bush and Cheney totally know? What anti patriotic bullshit. You'd suggest most of the country doesn't know what "being American" is about. Step on up to the podium, McCarthy.

Just because people haven't been in the service doesn't mean they can't judge the validity of a war or think that there were better targets. If I was insulting soldiers (which I haven't) or suggesting that it is easy to be a soldier (which I haven't) you might have a reason to speak.

[Back]

Actually, I’m in partial agreement with Sean2. I think some of those who support this war should be drafted and go out there and see what its really like.

Also, I like the idea of mandatory national guard service for all Americans, men and women alike. It would be good for this lazy, fat, consumerist culture to get off its ass.

[Stanley Burrell]

Actually, I’m in partial agreement with Sean2. I think some of those who support this war should be drafted and go out there and see what its really like.

Also, I like the idea of mandatory national guard service for all Americans, men and women alike. It would be good for this lazy, fat, consumerist culture to get off its ass.

One of our undeniable problems as you know is that it's called the National, not International, Guard.

Let's say you were required to join some strange, unheard of guard service at age eighteen whose foundation was defending America.... And then, motherfucking King George III rolls into office? What are you defending/more likely damaging at that point? Strapping yourself with a uniform and weapon does not make you the defender of American values. Practicing American values does. We haven't been doing that for a good seven years as I see it. I'd venture to say in this day and age, if you upheld true American values of The United States, y'know, the kind our Constitution used to stand for, you'd be more of a general pussy to follow the system of spoonfed bullshit ready-to-eat rations than make a fundamental difference by standing up against its atrocities; because more often than not, a dereliction of duties is more Patriotic in this day and age than service in our areas of foreign relations. And don't get it twisted: I have infinite respect for our men and women and uniform and around negative infinity for the forces that are imprisoning them.

And I definitely agree with Sean's idea, but not exactly in the spiteful "I did this and you didn't so I'm better than you, bitch, feel my immature pain that needs to be spread because I can't cope with my own shit" kind of way, and more of the "we've become such inept bastards" sense.

This was more of a rant. Sorry.

[Back]

Let's say you were required to join some strange, unheard of guard service at age eighteen whose foundation was defending America.... And then, motherfucking King George III rolls into office?

And I definitely agree with Sean's idea, but not exactly in the spiteful "I did this and you didn't so I'm better than you, bitch, feel my immature pain that needs to be spread because I can't cope with my own shit" kind of way, and more of the "we've become such inept bastards" sense.

Good points. Another reason that in this day and age the idea of preemptive war is not the best policy.

[Stanley Burrell]

It sets the bar that much lower for future generations, which is why a tangible draft is a nice fairytale.

[Sean of the Thread]

You'd suggest most of the country doesn't know what "being American" is about. Step on up to the podium, McCarthy.



I don't suggest.. I'm certain.

[Tsa`ah]

You're also an idiotic slack jaw ... which kind of negates the clout of your certainty.