I don’t care much for the term “escalation of troop levels” when referring to the Commander in Chief’s plan to send more Soldiers and Marines to Baghdad with the purpose of winning the military aspects of that battle. I am not an English major, nor master, however the word “escalation” though may be technically correct in this case, implies we’re wanting to flame the fires and shed more blood. The increase in troop levels is a tactical move designed to stop the fires and reduce the bloodshed providing security so that changes on the political, social, and economic fronts can occur (the strategic front). I find it disturbing that several of our elected representatives have come together to craft a resolution denouncing the administration’s plan to surge, to win, calling it an “escalation.” It is one thing to debate and disagree, it is another to pass legislation aimed at undermining our efforts, threaten to cut-off funding, and call for a retreat. Such maneuvers send a disastrous message to our forces fighting for something they deeply believe in, as well as to those Iraqis harboring hope for their future.
In a post last week, FbL asked for my opinion on the plan’s success relying on the Iraqis stepping up to the plate and did I think they would. As I’ve said before, this war cannot be won by military forces alone. The Maliki administration and Iraqi government will ultimately be the hinge pin upon which success is achieved or not. It is their country and their future and the people of Iraq must have faith in their elected representatives that they will serve the nation’s interests and provide security for all. Easier said than done.
Trust and faith are not things we humans typically toss around freely, and given the history of Iraq, I imagine many there are quite hesitant to trust in any government. It will therefore take dramatic improvements in the security of their streets and in their economic status to build that trust and create that faith. The Iraqi military is not yet ready to secure ALL the streets on its own, though they have been tremendously successful in other provinces around the country where our forces have handed over the mission to them. Baghdad has become the focal point for establishing like securities allowing for follow-on initiatives that will address those strategic goals. With U.S. Soldiers and Marines standing alongside Iraqi forces fighting deliberately to eliminate insurgent and secular violence (and kid gloves have got to come off), citizens of Iraq can then begin establishing local governments, re-open schools, repair infrastructures, and go to work without fear of it all crumbling down again. Then and only then will trust begin to build and faith begin to take hold. A daunting task indeed, but what is the alternative?
Will the Iraqis be able to uphold their end of the deal? We won’t know until we execute the plan but calling for immediate withdrawals and threatening to cut off funding shreds any glimmer of hope, trust, and faith and undermines victory. I also find it interesting at the increasing numbers of those denouncing the “escalation” plan, but offer very few suggestions other than failure. Yes, withdrawal would mean failure and your Soldiers would come home without honor and the world will change drastically. Sgt Hook out.
Posted by Hook @ 0344 zulu | | Permalink
This post is filed under: GWOT & Soap Box
