The New York Times has obtained a copy of a military progress report on the troop surge in Baghdad which reveals that less than a third of the city’s neighborhoods have been brought under control. The surge strategy relied on all neighborhoods being pacified by July. Military brass blamed the Iraqi police forces for failing to do their part. In several instances, the Iraqi police were caught actively assisting bomb-layers. If “blame the Iraqis” is an excuse, it’s not a very encouraging one. American troops will, in all likelihood, leave Iraq in 2008, and it seems clear that the Iraqis will not be able to maintain even as much control as American troops have—which isn’t saying much.
I hate to say I told you so—I really do—but I did. Then again, it didn’t take a genius to agree with—well, everyone except President Bush.
