We must send more American combat forces into Iraq and especially into Baghdad to support this operation.
A surge of seven Army brigades and Marine regiments to support clear-and-hold operations that begin in the spring of 2007 is necessary, possible, and will be sufficient to improve security and set conditions for economic development, political development, reconciliation, and the development of Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) to provide permanent security.
American forces, partnered with Iraqi units, will clear high-violence Sunni and mixed Sunni-Shia neighborhoods, primarily on the west side of the city.
After those neighborhoods are cleared, U.S. soldiers and Marines, again partnered with Iraqis, will remain behind to maintain security, reconstitute police forces, and integrate police and Iraqi Army efforts to maintain the population’s security.
As security is established, reconstruction aid will help to reestablish normal life, bolster employment, and, working through Iraqi officials, strengthen Iraqi local government.
Securing the population strengthens the ability of Iraq’s central government to exercise its sovereign powers.
This approach requires a national commitment to victory in Iraq:
The ground forces must accept longer tours for several years.
National Guard units will have to accept increased deployments during this period.
Equipment shortages must be overcome by transferring equipment from non-deploying active-duty, National Guard, and reserve units to those about to deploy. Military industry must be mobilized to provide replacement equipment sets urgently.
The president must request a dramatic increase in reconstruction aid for Iraq....must insist upon the completion of reconstruction projects....should also request a dramatic increase in Commander’s Emergency Response Program (CERP) funds.
The president must request a substantial increase in ground forces end strength....The president must issue a personal call for young Americans to volunteer to fight in the decisive conflict of this generation.
The president and his representatives in Iraq must forge unity of effort with the Iraqi government.
Other courses of action have been proposed. All will fail....
Intelligence Skewing re: Iran?
Larisa Alexandrovna
Monday January 8, 2007
The nomination of retired Vice Admiral John Michael "Mike" McConnell to be Director of National Intelligence is part of an effort by the Vice President to tighten the Administration’s grip on domestic intelligence and grease the wheels for a more aggressive stance towards Iran, current and former intelligence officials believe....According to officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, Negroponte’s exit followed a lengthy internal administration battle between the Office of the Vice President and the two-year-old Office of the Director of National Intelligence....
“The NIE on Iran is at issue,” said one former senior intelligence officer close to Negroponte. The National Intelligence Estimate is an interagency report that synthesizes information across all intelligence agencies on a particular topic, providing an overall assessment and analysis.
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