It mus be official the AP Admits it. U.S. Winning in Iraq

[JustRalph]

This isn't a couple of low level reporters.......... writing this. AP has finally decided they can't hide in the shadows anymore.

Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi must be cowering in their offices...........

If John McCain doesn't produce a Campaign ad along this same line, he is an idiot.


Analysis: US now winning Iraq war that seemed lost
By ROBERT BURNS and ROBERT H. REID – 1 day ago

BAGHDAD (AP) —
The United States is now winning the war that two years ago seemed lost.

Limited, sometimes sharp fighting and periodic terrorist bombings in Iraq are likely to continue, possibly for years. But the Iraqi government and the U.S. now are able to shift focus from mainly combat to mainly building the fragile beginnings of peace — a transition that many found almost unthinkable as recently as one year ago.

Despite the occasional bursts of violence, Iraq has reached the point where the insurgents, who once controlled whole cities, no longer have the clout to threaten the viability of the central government.

That does not mean the war has ended or that U.S. troops have no role in Iraq. It means the combat phase finally is ending, years past the time when President Bush optimistically declared it had. The new phase focuses on training the Iraqi army and police, restraining the flow of illicit weaponry from Iran, supporting closer links between Baghdad and local governments, pushing the integration of former insurgents into legitimate government jobs and assisting in rebuilding the economy.

Scattered battles go on, especially against al-Qaida holdouts north of Baghdad. But organized resistance, with the steady drumbeat of bombings, kidnappings, assassinations and ambushes that once rocked the capital daily, has all but ceased.

This amounts to more than a lull in the violence. It reflects a fundamental shift in the outlook for the Sunni minority, which held power under Saddam Hussein. They launched the insurgency five years ago. They now are either sidelined or have switched sides to cooperate with the Americans in return for money and political support.

Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, told The Associated Press this past week there are early indications that senior leaders of al-Qaida may be considering shifting their main focus from Iraq to the war in Afghanistan.

Ryan Crocker, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, told the AP on Thursday that the insurgency as a whole has withered to the point where it is no longer a threat to Iraq's future.

"Very clearly, the insurgency is in no position to overthrow the government or, really, even to challenge it," Crocker said. "It's actually almost in no position to try to confront it. By and large, what's left of the insurgency is just trying to hang on."

Shiite militias, notably the Mahdi Army of radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, have lost their power bases in Baghdad, Basra and other major cities. An important step was the routing of Shiite extremists in the Sadr City slums of eastern Baghdad this spring — now a quiet though not fully secure district.

Al-Sadr and top lieutenants are now in Iran. Still talking of a comeback, they are facing major obstacles, including a loss of support among a Shiite population weary of war and no longer as terrified of Sunni extremists as they were two years ago.

Despite the favorable signs, U.S. commanders are leery of proclaiming victory or promising that the calm will last.

~more at the link~

[PaceAdvantage]

Never seemed lost to me...

I agree that an effective campaign TV spot can be crafted using these recent headlines contrasted with Obama's and other Dem's war-speak.

[Tom]

I don't think the outcome was ever a question, only our will to achive it.
That headline should have been printed in 2004 latest.

[robert99]

It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings.

Iraq bomb toll at least 53
Updated 1 hour 57 minutes ago

More Iraq Stories:

Suicide bombers in Iraq target Shiite pilgrims
Sunni's, Shi'ites reconcile in Iraq parliament
Delegation hopes for Iraq reconciliation
The United States government has condemned a wave of suicide bombings in Iraq in which at least 53 people died.

Two series of attacks rocked Iraq on Monday; the first killed 28 people in the capital Baghdad.

Later, at least 25 people died in a seemingly unrelated blast in the northern city of Kirkuk.

The Kirkuk blast took place during a political protest gathering, while the series of bombs that exploded in Baghdad earlier in the day were targeting Shi'ite pilgrims on their way to a religious festival.

Initial reports say three of the bombs were carried by female suicide attackers, mingling in the crowd.

Security has been tightened in the capital, ahead of the climax of the festival on Tuesday, in which almost a million worshippers are expected to take part.

[Tom]

All in all, how much can you expect from basically uncivilized people?
The whole region is not up to the Flintstones yet. Yabba dabba doo.

[46zilzal]

The question STILL remains, Just what the hell are they doing there in the FIRST place other than an administrations's whim.

Also people invaded by an occupying army NEVER GIVE UP.

[prospector]

Also people invaded by an occupying army NEVER GIVE UP.
yes they do
they get their revenge by owning casinos

[boxcar]

The question STILL remains, Just what the hell are they doing there in the FIRST place other than an administrations's whim.

Also people invaded by an occupying army NEVER GIVE UP.

Let me try this one more time, meathead: We were never at battle against the Iraqis, save for a very small Islamofascist extremist faction who was disgruntled with the elected government and the U.S. (which hardly describes Iraq as a whole) and Al Queda. What part of this sentence don't you understand?

Boxcar

[bigmack]

yes they do
they get their revenge by owning casinos
An official "doozie". Nicely done, Pro.

[Tom]

The question STILL remains NO QUESTION TO MANY, Just what the hell are they doing there in the FIRST place other than an administrations's whim.

Also people invaded by an occupying army NEVER GIVE UP.WHAT ABOUT GERMANY, JAPAN ,


Oh my, how can you be wrong on every point in one post!

[JustRalph]

It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings.

Iraq bomb toll at least 53
Updated 1 hour 57 minutes ago

More Iraq Stories:

Suicide bombers in Iraq target Shiite pilgrims
Sunni's, Shi'ites reconcile in Iraq parliament
Delegation hopes for Iraq reconciliation
The United States government has condemned a wave of suicide bombings in Iraq in which at least 53 people died.

Two series of attacks rocked Iraq on Monday; the first killed 28 people in the capital Baghdad.

Later, at least 25 people died in a seemingly unrelated blast in the northern city of Kirkuk.

The Kirkuk blast took place during a political protest gathering, while the series of bombs that exploded in Baghdad earlier in the day were targeting Shi'ite pilgrims on their way to a religious festival.

Initial reports say three of the bombs were carried by female suicide attackers, mingling in the crowd.

Security has been tightened in the capital, ahead of the climax of the festival on Tuesday, in which almost a million worshippers are expected to take part.

stop cheering and get back to studying Sharia Law..........according to your judges you need to abide by it now.........

The remaining terrorists types are now forcing women to stuff bombs up their skirts and becoming Martyrs.......... the Religion of peace is incredible huh?

[Secretariat]

What exactly have we won?

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24096239-2,00.html

"Iraq invasion was a 'f**king stupid idea'

A FORMER Australian Army officer and adviser to US Secretary of State Condeleeza Rice has called the Iraq invasion a "f**king stupid" idea.

David Kilcullen left the army as a lieutenant colonel in 2005 and has since served as chief advisor to General David Petraeus, who heads the US forces in Iraq, working on the development of the successful troop surge.

Dr Kilcullen's new report Counterinsurgency: A Guide for Policy-Makers argues there are lessons governments could learn to overcome insurgencies, like those faced by US and coaltion forces in Iraq and Afganistan.

He said the Iraq invasion was "f**king stupid" and similar mistakes could, and should, be avoided in the future, The Washington Independent reports.

"The biggest stupid idea was to invade Iraq in the first place," he told the Independent."

[Tom]

Well there it is....an Austrailian says it so it must be so. :rolleyes:

[JustRalph]

What exactly have we won?

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24096239-2,00.html

"Iraq invasion was a 'f**king stupid idea'

A FORMER Australian Army officer and adviser to US Secretary of State Condeleeza Rice has called the Iraq invasion a "f**king stupid" idea.

David Kilcullen left the army as a lieutenant colonel in 2005 and has since served as chief advisor to General David Petraeus, who heads the US forces in Iraq, working on the development of the successful troop surge.

Dr Kilcullen's new report Counterinsurgency: A Guide for Policy-Makers argues there are lessons governments could learn to overcome insurgencies, like those faced by US and coaltion forces in Iraq and Afganistan.

He said the Iraq invasion was "f**king stupid" and similar mistakes could, and should, be avoided in the future, The Washington Independent reports.

"The biggest stupid idea was to invade Iraq in the first place," he told the Independent."


For one thing we have proven that Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi are idiots who put a power grab ahead of reality and their own country by declaring the war lost months ago.

We have proven that 99% of the Democratic Congressman and Senators were wrong and should never be listened to again when it comes to military matters............how is that for starters?

[46zilzal]

For one thing we have proven that Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi are idiots who put a power grab ahead of reality and their own country by declaring the war lost months ago.

We have proven that 99% of the Democratic Congressman and Senators were wrong and should never be listened to again when it comes to military matters............how is that for starters?
The IDEA of the invasion, the invasion and it's after math were enormously stupid and wasteful acts. Like the economy? BILLIONS wasted and will continue be so with more loss of life and NOTHING to show for it.

[bigmack]

The IDEA of the invasion, the invasion and it's after math were enormously stupid and wasteful acts. Like the economy? BILLIONS wasted and will continue be so with more loss of life and NOTHING to show for it.
And not a cent of the billions was yours, giving you little reason to further your whining.

[46zilzal]

History will not be kind to the rutabaga idiot and the warmongers amongst his crowd. They not only have caused the destruction of the economy but weakened goodwill the world round. We do share this planet with a lot of others and it's time to become part of the community and not the ruler by force.

[Light]

This isn't a couple of low level reporters.......... writing this. AP has finally decided they can't hide in the shadows anymore.

Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi must be cowering in their offices...........

If John McCain doesn't produce a Campaign ad along this same line, he is an idiot.


Analysis: US now winning Iraq war that seemed lost
By ROBERT BURNS and ROBERT H. REID – 1 day ago

BAGHDAD (AP) —
The United States is now winning the war that two years ago seemed lost.

Limited, sometimes sharp fighting and periodic terrorist bombings in Iraq are likely to continue, possibly for years. But the Iraqi government and the U.S. now are able to shift focus from mainly combat to mainly building the fragile beginnings of peace — a transition that many found almost unthinkable as recently as one year ago.

Despite the occasional bursts of violence, Iraq has reached the point where the insurgents, who once controlled whole cities, no longer have the clout to threaten the viability of the central government.

That does not mean the war has ended or that U.S. troops have no role in Iraq. It means the combat phase finally is ending, years past the time when President Bush optimistically declared it had. The new phase focuses on training the Iraqi army and police, restraining the flow of illicit weaponry from Iran, supporting closer links between Baghdad and local governments, pushing the integration of former insurgents into legitimate government jobs and assisting in rebuilding the economy.

Scattered battles go on, especially against al-Qaida holdouts north of Baghdad. But organized resistance, with the steady drumbeat of bombings, kidnappings, assassinations and ambushes that once rocked the capital daily, has all but ceased.

This amounts to more than a lull in the violence. It reflects a fundamental shift in the outlook for the Sunni minority, which held power under Saddam Hussein. They launched the insurgency five years ago. They now are either sidelined or have switched sides to cooperate with the Americans in return for money and political support.

Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, told The Associated Press this past week there are early indications that senior leaders of al-Qaida may be considering shifting their main focus from Iraq to the war in Afghanistan.

Ryan Crocker, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, told the AP on Thursday that the insurgency as a whole has withered to the point where it is no longer a threat to Iraq's future.

"Very clearly, the insurgency is in no position to overthrow the government or, really, even to challenge it," Crocker said. "It's actually almost in no position to try to confront it. By and large, what's left of the insurgency is just trying to hang on."

Shiite militias, notably the Mahdi Army of radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, have lost their power bases in Baghdad, Basra and other major cities. An important step was the routing of Shiite extremists in the Sadr City slums of eastern Baghdad this spring — now a quiet though not fully secure district.

Al-Sadr and top lieutenants are now in Iran. Still talking of a comeback, they are facing major obstacles, including a loss of support among a Shiite population weary of war and no longer as terrified of Sunni extremists as they were two years ago.

Despite the favorable signs, U.S. commanders are leery of proclaiming victory or promising that the calm will last.

~more at the link~


What a bunch of crock. They even contracdict themselves in the last sentence. We've seen "mission accomplished","the insurgency is in its last throes" and bs like this. The Taliban were supposedly defeated too,but now we have an escalation in Afghanistan. And although Iraq has been Bush's war,looks like Obama is claiming Afghanistan as his war. Wants to escalate like LBJ in Vietnam and he isnt even in office yet. Ahole.:ThmbDown:

[PaceAdvantage]

What a bunch of crock.:lol:

[JustRalph]

What a bunch of crock.

Take it up with AP. Why would I be surprised that you disagree?

[Secretariat]

For one thing we have proven that Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi are idiots who put a power grab ahead of reality and their own country by declaring the war lost months ago.

We have proven that 99% of the Democratic Congressman and Senators were wrong and should never be listened to again when it comes to military matters............how is that for starters?

Even if I bought into that (which I don't) - I repeat what have we won?

Are you saying that proving that Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi are idiots was worth 4000+ dead Americans in combat, 30000+ wounded, countless PTSD victims, hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, over a trillion dollars in taxpapyer money spent and billions more needed for god knows how long (according to McCain maybe a hundred more years).

Out of all of this in terms of cost, the first thing you select to post is that what we won was that it proved that Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi were idiots.

If that's what we won, that's just pretty damn sad.

[PaceAdvantage]

If that's what we won, that's just pretty damn sad.Don't worry. That's not all.

We now have a strategic foothold inside the "Hornet's Nest." We are dispelling the OSAMA - AMERICA IS A PAPER TIGER theory. Some in Iraq are even starting to believe that America is not the enemy.

Nobody said it would be quick or easy. Certainly Bush did not say this...

History will be the ultimate judge of whether or not an American foothold in the Middle East is worth the sacrifices made.

I say it's well worth it, given that many of America's sworn enemies live and breed in that very region. What better place to establish a large military presence? Plus, we also have Israel. It's a pretty good check against Iran if you ask me....

[Secretariat]

Don't worry. That's not all.

We now have a strategic foothold inside the "Hornet's Nest." We are dispelling the OSAMA - AMERICA IS A PAPER TIGER theory. Some in Iraq are even starting to believe that America is not the enemy.

Nobody said it would be quick or easy. Certainly Bush did not say this...

History will be the ultimate judge of whether or not an American foothold in the Middle East is worth the sacrifices made.

I say it's well worth it, given that many of America's sworn enemies live and breed in that very region. What better place to establish a large military presence? Plus, we also have Israel. It's a pretty good check against Iran if you ask me....


Wait a minute. Are you saying we invaded to "establish a large military presence?" Not the reason given that I heard coming from the WH.

We already have a large military presence over there, and Israel has nuclear weapons as a deterrent. We've made Iran stronger by creating a majority Shite Iraq. The Sunni-Shite balance is disrupted, and makes Iran and Iraq more likely to partner in the future than to be at odds. History has already started to judge the Iraq invasion, and the results thus far are not favorable.

So 4000+ American combat deaths, 30,000+ wounded, 100,000+ Iraqis dead, over a trillion dollars in money, countless PTSD victims, and all so we can prove Reid and Pelosi are idiots and so we can have a permanent miltary occupation in a democracy that doesn't want us there long term? Whew..this is your definition of winning?

[boxcar]

So 4000+ American combat deaths, 30,000+ wounded, 100,000+ Iraqis dead, over a trillion dollars in money, countless PTSD victims, and all so we can prove Reid and Pelosi are idiots and so we can have a permanent miltary occupation in a democracy that doesn't want us there long term? Whew..this is your definition of winning?

Sure beats the tar out of losing, though, doesn't it?

Boxcar

[Secretariat]

Sure beats the tar out of losing, though, doesn't it?

Boxcar

Guess it all depends on your definition of winning and losing.

[PaceAdvantage]

Wait a minute. Are you saying we invaded to "establish a large military presence?" Not the reason given that I heard coming from the WH.No silly, that's not what I'm saying.

[JustRalph]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wM5BEBtS_8


VFF calls out Obama on surge
Vets for Freedom Chairman Pete Hegseth, a decorated former Army infantry platoon leader in Baghdad, said in a statement: “Vets for Freedom will not stand by and let the incredible progress of our troops go unnoticed by the American public and lawmakers from either side of the aisle.
Hegseth is at the convention to tell lawmakers, delegates and the press about his observation during a recent return to Iraq.
“It is essential that our top legislators — regardless of party — understand the importance of victory in Iraq, the consequences of defeat and the success of the surge,” Hegseth said. “Sen. Obama has said that he would still oppose the surge if given another opportunity and has pointed to every outside factor but the surge to explain improvements in Iraq. We hope he will listen to the veterans who have served there and support this important resolution for the sake of the troops.”

[Tom]

The American public is well aware of the great accomplishments by our troops.
It's the Al Qedacrats who do not. The dingy Harry's the Bin Losi's, the Kennedy's, the Carters, the Obama's, you know, the dregs of society.