Bloody week in Iraq points to emboldened al Qaeda

[nodular]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/COL029480.htm

(Reuters)

While one half of the drama plays out in Congress and the White House, the other half plays out in Iraq. The US involvement in Iraq seems nearly at an end---but Bush has one last card to play---the troop surge. The results of the surge are questionable, but some positive results have been attained.

Of course, the chances of this leading to a "stable, democratic Iraq that will allow Americans to leave with 'mission accomplished' are zero. The question in my mind is, can this troop surge be parlayed into a temporary appearance of real progress that could affect the 2008 election? Odds against, but still possible. Absent an apparently successful surge, I predict Democratic control of the House, Senate and White House in 2008.

In addition, I think the day-by-day surge scorecard could influence the current battle over the funding bill for the war.


While shootings seem to still be lower in Baghdad since the start of the troop surge, violence outside Baghdad has had a marked increase in this period (see referenced article). In addition, the US seems unable to reduce bombings in the same way they have reduced shootings, despite the discovery and destruction of a number of car bomb factories during the surge.

Radical cleric al-Sadr continues to support the surge (the key to any progress so far, in my opinion). His Medhi army, which usually supplies security in Shiite neighborhoods, is off the streets. Some blame this for the bombings in Shiite neighborhoods.

Note (below), the request for reinforcements in Diyala. This is the "trying to fit 10 pounds of goo into a 5 pound bag" problem in Iraq. Since the beginning, we have been able to "improve" one area (granted even the Baghdad improvement is now debatable). However, this is done by pushing the bad guys to another area, making that area worse.


"BAGHDAD, March 30 (Reuters) - A surge of violence in Iraq in the past week demonstrated the ability of al Qaeda to strike virtually anywhere at will with a seemingly limitless supply of explosives and suicide bombers to wreak chaos.

"The bombings claimed 300 lives, with one attack triggering mass reprisal killings by Shi'ites, making it the bloodiest week since the launch of a major U.S.-backed security crackdown in Baghdad in mid-February aimed at curbing sectarian violence...

"...The security crackdown has been successful in reducing the number of daily shootings, although the number has started to creep up again from below 10 a day to the mid-20s. Before the operation started, police reported finding 40-50 bodies a day...

"...The Brookings Institution, which monitors violence in Iraq, said there had been a 30 percent increase in Diyala province north of Baghdad since the launch of the crackdown in February. U.S. commanders there have asked for more reinforcements."

[acmavm]

1. The bush** admin and the media better get down on their knees

and thank whoever or whatever they feel moves the universe for Al Quaeda. Without Al Quaeda someone might have to face the facts and report that just maybe it is the Iraqi people who are taking out our troops in retaliation for occupying their country and killing their people.