Fallon Says U.S. Miscalculated Iraq (AP)

[Eugene]

Fallon Says U.S. Miscalculated Iraq

By ANNE FLAHERTY
The Associated Press
Tuesday, January 30, 2007; 3:10 AM

WASHINGTON -- Adm. William Fallon, who is poised to become the top American commander
in the Middle East, says the United States miscalculated the ability of Iraqi forces to take
control and underestimated the enemy's persistence.

"Securing the stability of the country has been more difficult than anticipated," Fallon said
in a written statement to the Senate Armed Services Committee. "Our ability to correctly
assess the political, economic and security situation in Iraq has been lacking."

Fallon's remarks were submitted in advance of a confirmation hearing Tuesday. Fallon,
who commands troops in the Pacific region, has been tapped to replace Army Gen. John
Abizaid as head of the U.S. Central Command.

-snip-

Fallon and Negroponte's confirmations were not expected to rouse Senate protests,
despite bitter opposition in Congress to Bush's plan to send 21,500 additional troops
to Iraq.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/30/AR2007013000099.html

[Porcupine]

1. The word is "lost." As in; "The US lost Iraq." nt

.

[CarbonDate]

2. Stating obvious facts to the Democratic Congress?

Well, I never!

This guy can't be trusted. One of his direct subordinates has been spouting off about a 500 year war. He wouldn't be saying shit the boss wouldn't like.

[sandnsea]

3. Observation about the persistent "enemy"

They're probably the fighters of the country who would ordinarily provide policing and security. As soon as we remove ourselves as their target, and they start buying into a shared government, the "enemy" will transform into the peacekeepers themselves.