And So It Begins...

Today CNN.COM posted this article. The top General of forces in the Middle East was grilled on Capital Hill. Gen. Abizaid is a military man, who I expect has little use or care for politicians on any given day. Following are some quotes and commentary from that article.

In opening remarks, Sen. Carl Levin, D-Michigan, said responsibility for Iraq's future should be put "squarely where it belongs: on the Iraqis. We cannot save the Iraqis from themselves."

Ok, aside from the fact that we can save the Iraqis from themselves, sort of like how we saved Germany from the Nazis...we can definitely save them from the influence of Iran, and we can definitely save them from the influx of foreign fighters fighting under the banner of Al-Qaeda, can we not? Is Sen. Levin forgetting that there are other forces at work here than just the Sunna-Shi'a conflict, or the fact that this very same conflict was construed by the aforementioned parties?

"The only way for Iraqi leaders to squarely face that reality is for President Bush to tell them that the United States will begin a phased redeployment of our forces within four to six months," Levin said.

Wow, Senator you have opened up my eyes. You're right, saying that America is going to back out on it's word and leave you alone after we helped create a mess in your country is a way better way to make them face reality than say...mortars landing in the Green Zone, family members getting executed because you joined the political process, sending your wife and daughters to Jordan because of how unsafe your own home is, worrying about car-bombs on your ride to work, or getting assassinated by al-Sadr's goons because you tried to be an honest cop. Why didn't we throw them into confusion and just leave in the first place, it would be a shining beacon of democracy by now, with flying carpets and Robin Williams the Genie!

Abizaid said he was encouraged by what he saw when he visited the region recently. "I remain optimistic that we can stabilize Iraq," he said. "While sectarian violence remains high and worrisome, it's certainly not as bad as the situation appeared back in August," he said.

Wait, Abizaid, a person who climbed his way up the military, was born to a Christian Lebanese family, is fully fluent in Arabic, graduated from West Point, also got his Masters from Harvard, spent time in the University in Jordan, was a squad and platoon leader as a paratrooper jumping into Grenada, and has over 12 medals and awards. Senator, thank you for knowing not only combat, but also Arabic culture better than him. I was worried that he wasn't qualified.

Now this General may say it's possible, and that the situation has improved...but what about American troops, should we start a phased reduction?

Asked whether more troops are needed in Iraq, Abizaid said, "I believe that the troop levels need to stay where they are."
He added, though, that "it is possible that we might have to go up in troop levels in order to increase the number of forces that go into the Iraqi security forces, but I believe that is only temporary."

Now that's a start! If you include this, and this we'll be getting somewhere fast! Back to making them face reality, how about the fact that Sunni Policemen in the Anbar province haven't been paid in three months, but are still out there doing their job? Is that a group of people who have earned our men and women fighting next to them, or a group that deserves to be left in the dust?

Recently they have been talking about pursuing diplomatic solutions with Iran and Syria on Iraq. They are open to the possibility of talking to Iran, but not Syria because of their support of Hezbollah during the recent Israel affair. Again, I'm dumbfounded. We will be willing to talk to a country that wants to get a nuke and has said it is time to "wipe Israel off the map", but we won't talk to Syria? This sounds like something that will make Iran happy as can be. I can hear Ahmadinejad's speech now.

"My Shi'a and Sunni (read: Shi'a and soon to be Shi'a)brothers around the globe, the paper tiger of American imperialism has failed to instill peace and security to Iraq. Fear not, for the great Irani Nation is here to support you (Shi'a) rise in the face of this desolate situation! We will save the day, and then drive on to wipe Israel off the map and reinstate the Persian Empire! For more information, check my blog!"

Let us hope that we continue to allow our Soldiers the time and flexibility they need to make this work, because it can, and it is worth it. Not for oil, not for keeping Iranian aggression in check, not for terrorism. Those reasons are there, and they cannot be denied, but the one that screams louder than any are the cries of the civilians in Iraq. Let us hope that we let our military leaders the ability to make the decisions they need, and not lawyers from Michigan.