U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Says Highly-Touted Baghdad Security Crackdown is Not Succeeding
U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Says Highly-Touted Baghdad Security Crackdown is Not Succeeding
Sixty percent of violence in Iraq takes place in Baghdad. Following his visit to Iraq last month, President Bush trumpeted a major joint US-Iraqi effort to improve security in Baghdad. From a June 14 press conference:
The Prime Minister is taking immediate action to implement a plan to improve security and his top priority is around Baghdad. Operation Together Forward started this morning. This operation is a joint effort to restore security and rule of law to high-risk areas in the capital city. It will be carried by some 26,000 Iraqi soldiers, some 23,000 Iraqi police, backed up by over 7,200 coalition forces.
How is “Operation Forward Together” going? Yesterday at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad addressed the question:
Q: Hello, Mr. Ambassador. So the security crackdown in Baghdad has been going on a
couple of weeks — what’s your assessment of how well is it going? Is it succeeding?AMB. KHALILZAD: It has not produced the results I expected so far. The plan is being reviewed, and adjustments will be made. No, it has not performed to the level that was expected.
According to Army Col. Jeffrey Snow, “I think since we have started Operation Together Forward, you’ll find that the number of attacks are going up.”
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Once you have a lawless society, it is very hard to create a lawful one. Personally, I think the biggest problem Bush faces in this, is realising that there are no quick fixes, and the results he wants, are not going to come quickly.
July 12th, 2006 at 11:20 amBaghdad is fine. Look at how free everyone is…..running around….free…..enjoying their freedom….to, ya know…..place bombs everywhere…..and blow shit up….without One Time stopping them….without probable cause and stuff….
Hey, if the insurgents can walk around without being hassled, isn’t that a democracy? I smell mission accomplished.
July 12th, 2006 at 11:32 amThe United States now officially admits what we already knew: Abir Hamza, the victim of that vicious assault, was born in 1991. She was only 14 when a squad of all-American “Christian” good-old-boys killed her family, raped her, and burned her body. Not a single member of the unit shirked from this task. None of them felt guilty about what they had done to her (although they did regret the retaliatory measures against Americans).
“Our boys,” raised within our suposedly enlightened “Christian” culture, considered this girl a sub-human — a thing to be used. After all, she was Muslim.
The photo above, taken when Abir was but a toddler, is the only one we have at present. I don’t mind admitting that when I enlarged the image and smoothed over the jpg artifacts, I got a little choked up. And angry.
I hope every American sees this girl’s face. Are our red-state Jesusmaniacs so blinded by their anti-Muslim bigotry — so blinded by the lies told by our war-loving president and his propagandists — that they cannot recognise the humanity and innocence in that little girl’s eyes? This war has had many victims; let her face represent those we cannot see.
July 12th, 2006 at 11:33 amThe unchecked looting started this and sorry we are 3 years too late trying to crack down.
But on a lighter note you guys should watch this, it brought a smile to my face when I really needed it:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bob-cesca/the-first-ever-wingnut-ma_b_24757.html
July 12th, 2006 at 11:36 amThere you go again only showing the bad news from Iraq. I mean I heard they built…..um….they voted on……well……they have electr……..uh…..Iraq is safer than Washin…..no……ah oh yeah…they are free from tyranny.
July 12th, 2006 at 11:38 amI’ve posted this before – please go visit – pass it on – lest we EVER forget…
Ever Wonder what 2000 looks like?
July 12th, 2006 at 11:38 am- diet:
Schools! Don’t forget all the schools we’ve painted!
Surely a coat of fresh paint on a school is a blow for freedom!
(Sheesh…’painting schools’…our continued actions in Iraq are just putting paint on a building that’s falling down…what an apropos metaphor.)
July 12th, 2006 at 11:45 amGeorge W. Bush needs to grow up and figure out that just because he says something, just because he wants something to be true, and he wishes real hard with his tiny little ashen heart — DOESN’T MAKE IT SO.
July 12th, 2006 at 11:49 amSome of you may be catching on to the new Republican strategy when it comes to the war in Iraq. It goes something like this: if we lose, it will be because the Dems weren’t committed to winning.
I heard something to this effect on the radio this morning. A Republican Congressman was quoted as stating that he wasn’t worried about losing the war in Iraq, he was worried about losing it at home. What?!?!? You bozos have control of both houses!!!! When are you going to take responsibility for what’s happening there?!?!
July 12th, 2006 at 11:54 ammadashell :
Words to be remembered.
July 12th, 2006 at 11:58 am#7
July 12th, 2006 at 12:01 pmTripMaster Monkey
Well they need to keep spackling and painting the schools to cover up all of the bullet holes and bloodstains.
It’s funny.
Israel is about to annihalate Lebanon and Palestine.
And noone gives a shit!
July 12th, 2006 at 12:17 pmIt is all over the press in the rest of the world Destroy. Isreal and Palesine don’t get much press in the US. Never have.
July 12th, 2006 at 12:19 pm“Terrrorism Index is the first comprehensive effort to mine the highest echelons of America’s foreign-policy establishment for their assessment of how the United States is fighting the Global War on Terror. Our aim was to draw some definitive conclusions about the war’s priorities, policies, and progress from the very people who have run America’s national security apparatus over the past half century. Participants include people who have served as secretary of state, national security advisor, retired top commanders from the U.S. military, seasoned members of the intelligence community, and distinguished academics and journalists. Nearly 80 percent of the index participants have worked in the U.S. government—of these more than half were in the executive branch, one third in the military, and 17 percent in the intelligence community.â€
The Terrorism Index
July 12th, 2006 at 12:25 pmWhen will Americans intellectually juxtapose our love of Shiite Iraqis and our hatred of Palestinians?
July 12th, 2006 at 12:26 pmYou forgot about Poland!
July 12th, 2006 at 12:28 pmGreat website – Foreign Policy
July 12th, 2006 at 12:30 pmIsraeli Blood-sport in Gaza
By Mike Whitney
Another 50 civilians have been bumped-off in gangland-style hits authorized by the Knesset’s newest Mafia Don, Ehud Olmert. Olmert has put the carnage and destruction into high-gear eliciting criticism from his very own daughter who protested in front of her father’s home with signs that said, “Stop the Killing†Continue
July 12th, 2006 at 12:38 pm“Israel has been pummeling Gaza for months; intentionally starving the beleaguered occupants while lobbing 6,000 artillery shells into populated areas. Isn’t that front page news?”
July 12th, 2006 at 12:41 pmmadashell,
I feel your pain, your frustration, and your rage. It is completely justified and I can see that you are grasping the larger picture that so many Americans are shying away from: THESE ATROCITIES ARE HAPPENING IN YOUR NAME!
Americans, one and all, you must stop your heinous behavior! What are you waiting for, your soldiers to come home and rape and burn your daughters? Is that what it is going to take for you to make a stand? Or will you let that go as well?
May peace be with us all.
July 12th, 2006 at 12:41 pmThe plan is being reviewed, and adjustments will be made. No, it has not performed to the level that was expected.
Whatever happened to spreading the good news coming out of Iraq?
Why does Khalilzad hate America?
July 12th, 2006 at 12:41 pmShock, horror! Who could have possibly predicted that yet another Bush Junta “idea” from the totalitarian book will flop?!
.
July 12th, 2006 at 12:42 pmmadashell,
July 12th, 2006 at 12:44 pmThanks for the 2000 link. One of these days I´m going to cut you into little pieces.
Destroy,
July 12th, 2006 at 12:46 pmVery astute observation and one that is being ignored largely in the USA. How disturbingly bizzare is it that Novak’s “kiss and tell, sort of” column is all the rage yet Israel is openly waging a war of aggression relatively unnoticed?
Americans, one and all, you must stop your heinous behavior! What are you waiting for, your soldiers to come home and rape and burn your daughters? Is that what it is going to take for you to make a stand? Or will you let that go as well?
As grim as it is, this may be exactly what is required. When 300,000 war traumatised men and women start flipping out, like time bombs sprinkled around the weave of American society, then maybe the lesson may be learned. I hope it doesn’t come to that though:-(
July 12th, 2006 at 12:47 pmHumanist,
July 12th, 2006 at 12:48 pmAmericans don’t “shy away” from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They don’t give a shit about it. You need alittle less passion and alittle more hard data, Dream Weaver.
Humanist – now do you see why I shy away from being lumped together with other amerikans?
July 12th, 2006 at 12:53 pmBush O.M.B. Director Mitch Daniels, 3-28-03: “Iraq will not require sustained aid.”
July 12th, 2006 at 12:56 pmDick Cheney, 3-16-03: “My belief is we will, in fact, be greeted as liberators.”
July 12th, 2006 at 12:57 pm#26-Destroy,
I respectfully disagree. It is the lack of “passion” that causes complacency. And it is the lack of compassion that seemingly allows for “good people” to stand by while atrocities occur before their very eyes. More passion is needed and needed now.
Of course, hard data being used as the basis for decisions and actions is assumed in a civilized and intelligent society. Only a moronic imbecile would take actions that have the most serious of all consequences based on “gut” or “instinct”.
The problem is that you all fall all over yourselves to elect such moronic imbeciles.
July 12th, 2006 at 12:58 pmWhat is an “Amerikan”?
July 12th, 2006 at 12:58 pmBush’s Deputy Secretary of State, Paul Wolfowitz, 3-27-03: “We’re dealing with a country that can really finance its own reconstruction, and relatively soon.”
July 12th, 2006 at 12:59 pm#31-Destroy,
July 12th, 2006 at 1:03 pmPerform the following internet search “amerikan 1960s antiwar” and I believe that you will receive the answers that you seek.
KHALILZAD, the silly ass-puppet from the pnac, now admits that the theory of invasion, occupation, and capitulation of the iraqi people is not fitting their schedule from 1999? what a damn shame!!!!
may he burn in hell too…
July 12th, 2006 at 1:04 pmBluedog49,
July 12th, 2006 at 1:04 pmThose are good quotes that would be nicely added to madashell’s 2000 link. I recommend watching the 2000 link.
Deaths mount in attacks on Gaza
July 12th, 2006 at 1:05 pmTwo adults and seven children die in an Israeli air strike in Gaza City, as military action continues.
Humanist,
July 12th, 2006 at 1:07 pmTalking to you is like talking to Galadriel from Lord of the Rings. Do you have an aura?
#27-madashell,
Understood, and apologies for past sweeping generalizations that may have been offensive. However, continue to speak up and speak loudly. Far too many have shut their eyes and ears and they need to be rallied from their slumber.
Better that such awakenings occur due to the shouted voices of reason, than from the retaliatory explosions that are inevitable if the unforgivable indifference continues.
July 12th, 2006 at 1:08 pm#37-Destroy,
July 12th, 2006 at 1:10 pmI have only what too many Americans lack, a conscience.
I like what you say, Humanist. But quite frankly you’re long winded. Ala Kerry.
July 12th, 2006 at 1:13 pmDestroy the DLC, I always kind of defined Amerikans in much the same way as Afrikans.
Amerikan: A false American, also sometimes called a Murkan, a patriot not to the ideals, practices or people of America, but to the leadership of America. A person who chooses to vote based on party allegiance or “Values” while ignoring party corruption or the central issues being argued out by both parties. An Amerikan will wax lyrical about the American flag, while ignoring abuses of the American constitution, will speak of a threat to their “Way of life” while disregarding everything that made that way of life possible.
Thus, I don’t hold Madashell as being an Amerikan.
Afrikan: At heart, a revolutionary without brains, Afrikans will fight for the sake of some old grudge or some popular figure, without first figuring out what the heck it is they are fighting for, or what their combat is actually supposed to achieve. An Afrikan will support his leadership to the death, even when that leadership is in fact, highly corrupt and about as moral as a pedophile in a sunday school. Afrikans aren’t exactly bad people, they are just really stupid.
I’m not entirely sure where the heck I fall on this one though.
July 12th, 2006 at 1:13 pmWhy are you all responding to an idiotic White House public relations stunt? Of course things are getting worse in Iraq and there ain’t no end in sight. Just remember the war criminal who got us into this mess.
July 12th, 2006 at 1:14 pmI gotta go. But so there is no confusion- “One of these days I´m going to cut you into little pieces.” are the lyrics to the song playing during the “2000″ video.
July 12th, 2006 at 1:15 pmLater-
#3
well said.
July 12th, 2006 at 1:20 pm#42-purvis,
There is no doubt here, from what I can see, as to what criminals got you into this horrific situation.
What is most bizarre, and disturbing, is that you are sitting around waiting for that same gang of evil-doers to get you out of it.
So, from a historical perspective, who is the bigger fool? The fool who leads, or the fool who follows the fool? Ponder that one.
July 12th, 2006 at 1:22 pmthe song is titled “One of these days” by Pink Floyd. It was the first track on the Meddle album.
July 12th, 2006 at 1:22 pmHumanist
July 12th, 2006 at 1:55 pmI don’t know you and I don’t know what you’re doing but you sound like an information seeking troll on Karl the Desperates payroll.
#18-#19
maybe folks will start to see that we are finally stuck so far up israelis ass noone can see daylight unless the zionists yawn. this won’t make front page news because israel is zionist ran with rothchilds leading. they own america. now why would we bash israel when we are fighting israels war. as long as we stand beside the zionists/ nazis policies there will NEVER be peace. we borrowed 65% of the money loaned in the world and we want to call us a rich, viable, giant in the world. lmao!!!! only cowards, punks, bigots would do such a thing as our fascist gov. has done in the world today. none of this is going to end until the ROTHCHILDS are exposed and there is an all out revolt in office and military. if it is already said that bushwhack is not going to clean up his dirty work what do you think will be in office when he leaves,……cronies.
July 12th, 2006 at 2:07 pm#47-purvis,
For you to arrive at such a conclusion would mean that you have read nothing that I have ever written. Though you are entitled to your own opinions, however asinine they may seem.
May peace be with us all.
July 12th, 2006 at 2:24 pmIraq is a cesspool of violence and all of it has been caused by the Bush Regime invading it to control its oil reserves!
July 12th, 2006 at 3:08 pmWhenever anyone compares the Israelies to nazis, I like to point out that the Grand Mufti of Palestine and his followers issued many public statements in the 30’s and 40’s strongly supporting the Nazi’s “final solution.†I would think liberals in America would keep that in mind, but we seem to have forgotten this historical fact.
Comment by Bluedog49
July 12th, 2006 at 4:35 pm==============
I remember the history,Bluedog.
The President already said MIssion Accomplished and he is always right, Mr. Khalilzad.
July 12th, 2006 at 5:05 pmI would think liberals in America would keep that in mind, but we seem to have forgotten this historical fact.
Comment by Bluedog49 — July 12, 2006 @ 2:58 pm
Just as much as US and Great Britain looking with good eyes the rise of Hitler because, they thought, Nazis will pose a threat to Russian communism. Ever wonder why took so long to US getting involved in WWII? Ever wonder why Great Britain and US send troops to Berlin once it was already seized by russians? mmmm…makes you wonder. Lets not forget about that either.
July 12th, 2006 at 5:09 pmBut this is so much better than under Saddam (sarcasm off)
July 12th, 2006 at 6:32 pmJuan C, I completely agree.
July 12th, 2006 at 6:44 pm[...] US Ambassador to Iraq Says Highly-Touted Baghdad Security …Think Progress, DC - 8 hours ago… Is it succeeding? AMB. KHALILZAD: It has not produced the results I expected so far. The plan is being reviewed, and adjustments will be made. … [...]
July 12th, 2006 at 8:22 pm[...] “Still in control of the situation”? What country is he talking about? The one where over 100 people have been killed in the last 96 hours? “The capacity to impose order”? Who is he kidding? Fifty-thousand troops were moved into Baghdad last month as part of Operation Together Forward, yet violence in the capitol has escalated. [...]
August 9th, 2006 at 1:26 amVery interesting website. Keep up the outstanding work and thank you…B
February 14th, 2007 at 9:47 pm