So...how's that whole surge thing going? Is Iraq showing any improvement?

Question

Sure hate to have sent all those troops over there with nothing to show for it.

Answer 1

"Iraq says civilian deaths hit lowest mark of year"

Considering that the purpose of the surge was to reduce civilian deaths - this is a pretty good sign.

Answer 2

The surge itself is going fine. However, what the cheerleaders on this board aren't saying (since they are too busy blaming "the media" for everything) is that the surge was not intended to "win" anything. It was intended to allow breathing space for the Iraqi government to implement the reforms necessary to win. Guess how many of those reforms have been passed, much less implemented? A big fat zero.

Now, they MIGHT pass the hydrocarbon law soon, and I hope they do, but that was one one componant of a series of needed changes. The others are nowhere near passing, and Prime minister maliki isn't strong enough to force them through.

So, even if the surge itself does everything right, the Iraqis are failing to take advantage in order to win. And since the iraqis had made no real garentees to us prior to the surge, it was never likely they would reform.

And no disrespect to troops who replied, but troops on the ground are only seeing one small corner of it. There are some who see horrific stuff on a daily basis, and think this whole operation is falling apart, and others who never see a shot fired in anger and think everything is hunky dory.

Answer 3

It is a lot better than what you see on the News. My unit left in August of last year and has not lost a soul. I couldn't go b/c my son is on a transplant list, but I talk to them often and everyone in the Army has been pretty much. I've talked to tons of people who have been and we are getting the job done over there. Don't doubt that. The democrats want a power change in Washington so they make it out to be bad in the media. But the Iraqi people are very friendly to our troops. My little brother leaves in a few days (he is USMC) and I know that he will be back.

Answer 4

I have a cousin who just returned from there and I couldn't believe the stories he told.He said that what we see on the news is a lie and how well they are actually treated over there and how he couldn't wait to return.I understand the fighting ect..but the way media makes it sound like its a daily thing.But it isn't any different from here,almost better to our men.They are treated like kings there.We have people killed daily,hourly for that matter.If all media focused on this...we would have a horrible rep as well.....My question to him was.....then why are we still there?Send all our troops home!Don't think this helped but I just had to tell someone.

Answer 5

The amount of troops is still under the size we had when we invaded Iraq...it is going pretty well...it takes time for things like this to work...It is sad so many Americans want "Instant Gratification"...there is no such thing in war...

Answer 6

Quite well, i watched a documentary on it. The media would just prefer to make people think the war is useless.

Answer 7

Hey Chris D, its going well, haven't you noticed? A record number of American troops killed last month. Probably break that record this month.

Answer 8

33% less civilian deaths from last month which itself had 50% less civilian deaths from last year.

Answer 9

Yes...going great...no american soldiers killed or wounded...no american taxpayer money disappearing into the huge vacuum of iraqi corruption and federal government incompetence...no iraqi civilians killed, everyones living in peace...and dont you know, the US Army is winning!!! Cause they always win!!! just like...vietnam!!!