Success in Iraq is not yet Realized

If you believe what you read in the newspapers, it appears that the "surge" has worked. I cannot help but comment on how ridiculous a one word strategy sounds, but whatever, it's a sexual connotation so it works for me.

Surge has worked so well in fact that they are now calling for a withdrawal of American forces. Kudos for everyone involved. However, the real prize is only just at hand. Pulling out American forces of Iraq has always been a goal, but we want to pull out of an orderly, self governing Iraw so we can maintain a diplomatic and economic presence there. Now is the time to start building great infrastructure for Iraq, not only so they will have a better functioning society when we leave, but so that we leave some positive mark on their country. Now is the time to put into place a very elaborate intelligence network there, including Israeli intelligence. A stable and friendly Iraq is a huge boon to American interests. It lies smack dab in the middle of the Arab world. As it begins to normalize relations with its neighbors, this can only benefit us as our ability to understand our friends and adversaries increases.

Success will not be measured by number of attacks or number of people killed or not killed every day. Iraq must maintain security as a precondition for the real goals that lie ahead. A stable, growing, friendly and liberal Iraq in the middle of the Arab world. I have not heard McNumbnuts or Obout-turn mention anything along these lines. The work is only beginning.