In the many discussions about whether we have enough troops in Iraq to win, I am continually amazed that many critics who count up the number refuse to use all the troops inside Iraq fighting the enemy. Most amazing are those who only count American troops. But some don't even count all the Iraqi forces inside Iraq. One force, of about 150,000 strength that is rarely counted is the Facility Protection Force dedicated to protecting infrastrucuture--most obviously the oil industry.
This briefing mentions some of this dark matter (and using the apparent new name used in the March briefing I noted first):
The battalions of the 1st Strategic Infrastructure Brigade patrol, secure and guard checkpoints to prevent oil smugglers and insurgents from sabotaging the key oil pipeline between Kirkuk and the Baiji oil refinery. The 1st and 5th Strategic Battalions conduct daily escort missions for technical teams to repair and rebuild the pipeline. These battalions have also prevented the destruction of crude oil supply for the past three months.
The energy infrastructure is no small thing:
The Khabbaz oil fields lie just outside the city of Kirkuk and are one of the two largest oil-producing regions in Iraq. There are an estimated 10 billion barrels of oil underneath Kirkuk, which represent approximately 40 percent of oil reserve and 70 percent of its natural gas production.
This force is routinely ignored or discounted if considered. Yet here it seems to be doing good work. Yes, many of the Iraqi forces--especially these infrastructure units--are either suffering from conflicted loyalties or corruption. This was true of the Iraqi military under Saddam. That's why he had the Republican Guards--to watch the mistrusted regular army. And that's why he had the Special Republican Guards--to watch the Republican Guards. And spies to watch them all, of course.
Neither is corruption something new that has erupted in Iraq since 2003. It is common to the region. And dictators and autocrats have managed to control internal enemies with these corrupt institutions.
Iraq too will succeed, with our help in reducing the corrosive effects of corruption. Remember, the enemy is drawn from the same society. They are even more corrupt, is my guess.
And there are plenty of Iraqi and allied troops to win this war. It is taking time because the enemy is well financed, trained, ruthless, and desperate. The government, backed by a clear majority of the population, is still learning its trade in counter-insurgency, governing, and intelligence. But the trend is clearly in our favor.
We will win this war. Don't be distracted by the bomb of the day.
