As you can see, defeating al Qaeda in Iraq requires not just actions by our elite counterterrorist forces but also major operations by coalition and Iraqi conventional forces, a sophisticated intelligence effort, political reconciliation, economic and social programs, information operations initiatives, diplomatic activity, the employment of counterinsurgency principles in detainee operations, and many other actions. [Emphasis added]
The idea on our Left that we can painlessly take out al Qaeda camps in Iraq with surgical strikes by special forces is ridiculous. Please note that we've been trying this strategy for years in regard to the al Qaeda targets in Pakistan. The progress we have made in Iraq, by contrast, is due to many factors including the actions of 20 brigades of combat troops over the last year in protecting the Iraqi people and ripping up the roots of the support network for al Qaeda.
Further, isn't the idea that a United States "strike force" will be enough to fight al Qaeda in Iraq a retreat to a simplistic and narrow military focus when Petraeus is describing a complicated--dare I say, nuanced--multi-component effort that includes military force?
The Left has nothing to teach me about conducting military operations. Basket weaving? Sure. Military history and warfare? Spare me. They should work on their bowling skills before they dare to talk of strike forces.
