I've been meaning to provide an Iraq 101 both broader and briefer than my Iraq SITREP post.
Until I do that, this Strategypage post will fill the need nicely. The basic situation:
The strategy for such a war is simple, hold elections and get the elected government strong enough so that it can take care of itself without American troops. The media missed an obvious part of this story. That is the fact that the majority Shia and Kurds had been excluded from leadership positions in the military, police and government for decades. There were obvious reasons for this, but the present result was that loyal security forces required experienced Shia and Kurdish leaders, who had to be created from scratch. There were some Sunni officers and officials that could be trusted, but most were suspect.
Read it all, as the saying goes. Our Left still has trouble understanding what we are trying to do. While Victor Hanson urges us to have a little perspective about what we can still accomplish.
The enemy is trying to win. That's why it is a "war." Let's fight to win.
