www.amconmag.com...
“Today, we lack metrics to know if we are winning or losing,” wrote Rumsfeld a year ago. “Is our current situation such that ‘the harder we work, the
behinder we get’?” We now have metrics to work with. A year ago, Gen. John Abizaid estimated there were 5,000 enemy fighters. After capturing and
killing thousands, officials now estimate there are 20,000 enemy. A year ago, there were two dozen attacks every day on coalition forces. According to
Kroll Security International, the number is now 70 a day. A year ago, U.S. troops had the run of the country and the press could travel almost
anywhere. Now there are “no-go” zones in the Sunni Triangle, and Sadr City is a scene of daily carnage. Outside the Kurdish north, few provinces are
free of daily attacks.
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That the number of enemy and incidence of attacks have multiplied fourfold in a year forces us to one conclusion: we are losing this war. For the
guerrilla wins if he does not lose, and the Iraqi insurgents are not losing.
How do we win this war? How do we end it? How do we get out without leaving an Iraq that is a far graver terror threat than any Saddam Hussein ever
presented?
The Bush strategy appears to be this. Build up Iraqi forces to lead the assault on enemy sanctuaries in the Sunni Triangle, backed by U.S. forces and
firepower. Attack and occupy these cities before January. Hold elections that will, by linking slates of candidates, produce an assembly that will
maintain the Allawi government in power. Have the United States then give a date for withdrawal of American forces and begin the pullout of troops—to
separate the insurgency from Islamists and foreign fighters whose end goal is an Islamist regime. Continue to build up and train the Iraqi army to
where it is so large, powerful, and well equipped it can crush any rebellion. Cede maximum autonomy to Kurds and Shi’ites. And head down the road to
Kuwait.
What do you think of his opinion?
