Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Kiss It Off

Washington Post (09.13.06):
"The U.S. commander in western Iraq said he agrees with the findings of a pessimistic classified report recently filed by his top intelligence officer but also insisted that 'tremendous progress' is being made in that part of the country. 'I have seen that report and I do concur with that [intelligence] assessment,' said Marine Maj. Gen. Richard C. Zilmer, speaking to reporters yesterday by telephone from his headquarters near Fallujah, Iraq." General Affirms Anbar Analysis
That would be this report. Washington Post (09.11.06):
"The chief of intelligence for the Marine Corps in Iraq recently filed an unusual secret report concluding that the prospects for securing that country's western Anbar province are dim and that there is almost nothing the U.S. military can do to improve the political and social situation there, said several military officers and intelligence officials familiar with its contents." Situation Called Dire in West Iraq
CNN's man in Baghdad, Michael Ware, recently embedded with the Marines out in Anbar, talking to Wolf Blitzer (09.12.06):
"Well, Wolf, I mean, to be honest, I'm quite stunned that people are so surprised by this report. I mean, the situation has not deteriorated. It's been like this for over a year, perhaps even two." The Situation Room
"This is not new. Al Qaeda has owned Al Anbar for quite some time." And guess who's being hung out to dry? According to Michael, it's the soldiers who "are being left out there undermanned just to hold the line." It's just like fucking Vietnam, only in the desert.

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