New Operational Commander in Iraq: "may take 2-3 years to gain the upper hand in the war."

[Clarkie1]

By MICHAEL R. GORDON and JEFF ZELENY
Published: January 8, 2007

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7 — President Bush’s new Iraq policy will establish a series of goals that the Iraqi government will be expected to meet to try to ease sectarian tensions and stabilize the country politically and economically, senior administration officials said Sunday.

Among these “benchmarks” are steps that would draw more Sunnis into the political process, finalize a long-delayed measure on the distribution of oil revenue and ease the government’s policy toward former Baath Party members, the officials said.

As the policy is being debated in Washington, the new American operational commander in Iraq said Sunday that his plan was to send additional American troops, expected to be part of the policy change, into Baghdad’s toughest neighborhoods, and that under the new strategy it may take another “two or three years” to gain the upper hand in the war.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/08/world/middleeast/08strategy.html?hp&ex=1168318800&en=076ca8b44e7233b1&ei=5094&partner=homepage

Guess it will all depend on the "patience" and "resolve" of the American people now (never mind we still won't be talking to Iran and Syria, even as Iranian weapons are killing American soldiers in Iraq)...buck up, folks!.

:sarcasm:

[soothsayer]

1. In addtion to the 2 or 3 they've already had?

[Clarkie1]

2. Apparently so. Worse yet, it won't work.

The plan appears to be more of "stay the course." Without real regional dialogue there isn't even an iota of a chance of improving the situation.

[napi21]

3. Well, you do remember Shrub said it would be up to the next

President to end the war don't you? He isn't going to change his mind on that one. I hate to see so many more Americans die for this AH, butI am positive his decision will guaranteea Democratic President in 2008!

[HysteryDiagnosis]

4. Just how many "terrorists" can we kill in 2-3 years anyhoo?? n/t

[Ouabache]

5. Another steaming load of crap to run out the clock for Junior

and place all blame on his successor(s).

[leftofthedial]

6. god this sounds more like Viet Nam every day

an utter debacle. a quagmire. a right wing authoritarian's wet dream...


...as long as we the people have the patience and will and willingness to sacrifice for just "one more surge"

[kentuck]

7. Better make it 2 years...

Because the next president will not be president unless he says he will withdraw the troops, would be my guess.