Good news.

A few more months like this and I might have to reconsider my estimate (that there will be another five years of fighting).

I still think we have a ways to go and that the dynamics of the conflict in Iraq can change in ways we haven't even thought of yet.

Too many "variables".

Turkey, Iran, the Kurds, oil, civil war, etc...

Keep in mind that this year has already seen more US troops killed than last year and this year will end up being the deadliest for US troops since the war began.

http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,155106,00.html

I've always said we can stabilize that country. I don't know if winning in the terms that we understand is possible due to the transient nature of the enemy. More US military with the "gloves off" will continue this trend. As election time nears, though, casualties will go up and the libs will start screaming "I told you so" and start waving the white flag more vigorously. The Islamo-fascists aren't strong enough to beat us so they must choose their times to make statements carefully. Election time will help their cause with the Democrat party.

I disagree that BG Dorko is the highest ranking casualty. BG David Blackledge was also wounded back in 2994. He was then ands is currently the Cdr of the 352d Civil Affairs Command.

It is amazing how blinded people can be regarding what is happening in Iraq. Our intelligence stinks, did before we went into Iraq and still does.

I spoke with our son this past Saturday (Marine who is again serving in Iraq). I cannot present details but his assignment is among the Sunni tribal militias and the Iraqi military.

What we are seeing is purely tactical on the part of the Sunni and Shiia. They both realized they could not prevail against our military. Especially the Sunni, who were losing many more men than the Shiia. How to stop the loss, they tell us they want to be friends and fight al Queda (neither side wants any al Queda in Iraq). So now, we give them flourescent vests, weapons, ammunition and train the very people who were killing American's just a few short months ago.

The Maliki government is livid and has gone so far as to refuse funding these Sunni groups, we are paying them out of US funds.

According to our son, many of the Sunni Iraqi troops/militia make no bones about what they are doing...they are preparing for the clash against the Shiia. The reasoning behind the tactical change...stop killing Americans and make it appear Iraq is becoming more stable. Their hope is, the US will begin to draw down our troop levels and perhaps by the end of 2008, we will have very few combat troops in Iraq. These are patient people and know, sooner or later we will have a minimal amount of troops in Iraq. Certainly not enough to affect the coming clash between Sunni and Shiia.

According to our son, and my conversations with him, the Sunni are merely preparing for a future battle. I have also spoken with two of the Iraqi troops our sons unit is assigned to and during our phone conversations they were quite blatant about hating the Shiia...with no prodding from me on the subject, and they both spoke very good English.

So, while some may be jubilant about what is actually happening in Iraq, and I'm very happy about the reduction in American casualties, we are either very ignorant or just ignoring the real situation within Iraq. Which would not be a great surprise in my book after all that has occured in Iraq.

The Sunni and Shiia are sworn enemies, different historically, culturaly and religiously...the twain will never meet. Throw the Kurds, Turkamen into the mix...all very ugly.

S/F Gordon