Pace: Iraq Has Turned Around (Update: UN Chief Warns On Withdrawal)
By Ed Morrissey on Iraq
Captain's Quarters
General Peter Pace, the outgoing chair of the Joint Chiefs, has called the surge a success, saying that it has brought about a "sea change" in security for Iraq. Time Magazine reports on his remarks from Ramadi, which in itself demonstrates a level of success, as the Anbar Province has changed markedly from the lost cause it appeared a year ago (via Hugh Hewitt):
<<< In his most optimistic remarks since the U.S. troop buildup began, Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Tuesday that Iraq has undergone a "sea change" in security in recent months, and that this will influence his recommendation to President Bush on how long to continue the current strategy.
After conferring with Maj. Gen. Walter Gaskin and other commanders in this provincial capital west of Baghdad, Pace told reporters he has gathered a positive picture of the security environment not only here but also in Baghdad, where he began his Iraq visit on Monday.
He was asked whether this would inform his thinking about whether to continue the current strategy, with extra U.S. troops battling to security Baghdad and Anbar province. "It will because what I'm hearing now is a sea change that is taking place in many places here," he replied. "It's no longer a matter of pushing al-Qaida out of Ramadi, for example, but rather — now that they have been pushed out — helping the local police and the local army have a chance to get their feet on the ground and set up their systems." >>>
The most remarkable part of the story shows the increasing confidence of the military that they have finally hit on the right strategy and the right leadership in Iraq. While the Senate will debate the Iraq war in an all-nighter tonight in a Democratic effort called by an aide the No Sleep Until We Retreat event, Pace talked about increasing the number of American combat troops in Iraq to push towards success more quickly. The Pentagon studies these questions as part of its contingency planning, but this is the first indication that they may see enough progress to warrant a larger investment in Iraq.
Of course, what Pace means is the military success in fighting al-Qaeda in Iraq and in clearing cities like Ramadi and Baqubah of terrorists. He also praised the work of General David Petraeus in Baghdad in clearing militia control of neighborhoods. Pace, who has not shied away from less positive remarks in the past, seems highly impressed with the results of military efforts by both American and Iraqi units under Petraeus' command.
Pace noted that these results have not prompted reform to the degree we anticipated. However, in one sense, that may become a secondary consideration. Given the nature of the threat to the US that AQI represents, the efforts in Iraq make a lot more sense -- and since they seem to be effective, it makes sense to at least continue with Petraeus' counterinsurgency efforts there. We can continue to press for political reform, but we should not toss out all of our successes so far this year in stabilizing the Sunni areas of Iraq and in the capital.
What will the Democrats have to say to Pace and the generals in Iraq about this tonight?
UPDATE: CQ reader Leo T points out that new UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has warned the US about conducting a precipitate withdrawal from Iraq:
<<< U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged U.S. policy-makers yesterday to exercise "great caution" in considering any rapid withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Iraq.
"It is not my place to inject myself into this discussion taking place between the American people, government and Congress," said Mr. Ban, who was expected to repeat the message during meetings on Capitol Hill today.
"But I'd like to tell you that a great caution should be taken for the sake of the Iraqi people," he said at a U.N. press conference. "Any abrupt withdrawal or decision may lead to a further deterioration." >>>
Actually, Leo asked, "Is UN totally irrelevant, or is someone in blogosphere going to comment on SecGen’s statements re US pullout?" The answer might be "yes" to both.
Ban doesn't exactly endorse a long-term counterinsurgency effort in this statement, but he's asking the anti-war faction a question they thus have refused to answer. If the US retreats, how do they expect to keep a genocidal free-for-all from erupting in our wake? While the same people recall the collective failure in Rwanda and the ongoing genocide in Darfur -- conducted by radical Islamists -- and push for American intervention in the latter, they have no answer for the obvious calamitous consequences of an American pullout from Iraq.
Do you suppose the Democrats will address Ban's warning in tonight's marathon session?
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