Back In Iraq

The Times tells us abut Gen. Ray Odierno, the top American commander in Iraq.  Here is something for libs to love:

Results from an election considered crucial to Iraq’s democratic evolution suggest a potentially explosive split in power, but General Odierno said he would meet President Obama’s deadline to reduce the number of American troops in Iraq to 50,000, from 98,000 today, by the end of August. Among those expected to leave Iraq then is the general himself.

And a utterly expected cloud on the horizon:

During a visit to Washington before the election, the general said he was advocating the establishment of an Office of Military Cooperation within the American Embassy in Baghdad to sustain the relationship after the Dec. 31, 2011, deadline for withdrawing all American troops. He expressed doubts that the Iraqi government would request the presence of American ground forces after the deadline, although the bilateral treaty leaves open the possibility.

“We have to stay committed to this past 2011,” he said. “I believe the administration knows that. I believe that they have to do that in order to see this through to the end. It’s important to recognize that just because U.S. soldiers leave, Iraq is not finished.”

Finally, the Times invents a controversy:

General Odierno has now been in Iraq for 45 of the 84 months of the war, a period of his career that parallels the uneven narrative of the conflict, for better and worse.

His tactics as commander of the Fourth Infantry Division in Salahuddin in the months after the invasion in 2003, which were criticized as overly aggressive, created a public impression of him as a heavy-handed, even brutish, leader.

Thomas E. Ricks, the military writer who has waged what amounts to an argument of years with the commander, stridently criticized General Odierno’s first tour in Iraq for what he said were ogre-like tactics and bitingly called him “Shreko” in an online column last month.

Many people dispute such characterizations, portraying him as a skilled commander who helped devise and then carried out the counterinsurgency strategy that, with the increase in soldiers that President George W. Bush announced in January 2007, helped stem the sectarian violence. The senior commander at the time, Gen. David H. Petraeus, received most of the public attention, but officers and analysts say that General Odierno made the strategy a success.

"Many people dispute such characterizations".  Are they kidding?  "Many people" includes Thomas Ricks himself, who panned Odierno in "Fiasco" (about the early years of the war) and praised him in his follow-up about the surge titled "The Gamble".  Let's cut to Ricks himself, writing in the WaPo in Feb 2009:

The Dissenter Who Changed the War
As the No. 2 Commander in Iraq, Raymond Odierno Challenged the Military Establishment, Pressing for More Troops and a Long-Term Strategy to Guide Them

By Thomas E. Ricks
Special to The Washington Post
Sunday, February 8, 2009

Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno was an unlikely dissident, with little in his past to suggest that he would buck his superiors and push the U.S. military in radically new directions.

A 1976 West Point graduate and veteran of the Persian Gulf War and the Kosovo campaign, Odierno had earned a reputation as the best of the Army's conventional thinkers -- intelligent and ambitious, but focused on using the tools in front of him rather than discovering new and unexpected ones. That image was only reinforced during his first tour in Iraq after the U.S. invasion in 2003.

As commander of the 4th Infantry Division in the Sunni Triangle, Odierno led troops known for their sometimes heavy-handed tactics, kicking in doors and rounding up thousands of Iraqi "MAMs" (military-age males). He finished his tour believing the fight was going well. "I thought we had beaten this thing," he would later recall.

Sent back to Iraq in 2006 as second in command of U.S. forces, under orders to begin the withdrawal of American troops and shift fighting responsibilities to the Iraqis, Odierno found a situation that he recalled as "fairly desperate, frankly."

So that fall, he became the lone senior officer in the active-duty military to advocate a buildup of American troops in Iraq, a strategy rejected by the full chain of command above him, including Gen. George W. Casey Jr., then the top commander in Iraq and Odierno's immediate superior.

Communicating almost daily by phone with retired Gen. Jack Keane, an influential former Army vice chief of staff and his most important ally in Washington, Odierno launched a guerrilla campaign for a change in direction in Iraq, conducting his own strategic review and bypassing his superiors to talk through Keane to White House staff members and key figures in the military. It would prove one of the most audacious moves of the Iraq war, and one that eventually reversed almost every tenet of U.S. strategy.

And on Odierno's change in tactics:

Odierno was determined to operate differently on his second tour of duty, but he will not talk about how his transformation occurred. "I think everyone's changed," he said, brushing aside the question in one of a series of interviews in Iraq over the past two years. "We've all learned." 

The Times and any remaining editors are surely aware that Ricks is on both sides of the Odierno fence.  As to the notion that Ricks "bitingly called him 'Shreko'" just last month, well, it is less clear who is being mocked since Ricks put those words in the mouths of White House staffers:

In a move that could force President Obama to break his vow to get all combat troops out of Iraq by August of this year, his top commander in Iraq recently officially requested keeping a combat brigade in the northern part of the country beyond that deadline, three people close to the situation said Wednesday.

...The feeling in the corridors of the White House is that the general is asking the right questions, but a bit clumsily, and certainly too early for political comfort, especially in Iraq, which is about to hold a national election. So I suspect the administration's bottom line for Odierno was, Hey, Shreko, put a sock in it until after the Iraqi elections, because what we need is a new Iraqi government to be formed so it can quietly begin talking to us about re-visiting some of those 2008 SOFA agreements about future troop levels.

Didn't Odierno realize Obama had a health care bill to pass?

Comments

[bgates]

His tactics as commander of the Fourth Infantry Division in Salahuddin in the months after the invasion in 2003, which were criticized as overly aggressive, created a public impression of him

If his actions by themselves are enough to create a public impression, what the f*ck do we need the Times for?

The feeling in the corridors of the White House is that the general is asking the right questions, but a bit clumsily

Well, you can't expect his questions to be "withering", right?

[narciso]

I'm been struck about how insane, or cynical Ricks, has become when a left wing reporter
who had supported the insurgents was more optimistic on the Iraqi elections. But when you're signature book was Fiasco, followed up by Gamble, and next will "Oops, Nevermind"
that isn't so surprising

[Porchlight]

How in the hell would people in this White House know which questions are "right" and which aren't wrt to anything related to the military? Especially in Feb. 2009. They probably hadn't even gotten over their inaugural hangovers yet.

[Ignatz]

Jeepers what a brute.
Imagine kicking in doors in a war.
Perhaps we should go back to the finesse of incendiary raids on entire cities.

[trentk269]

You mean a left wing paper is selectively quoting a left wing reporter to make US commander look bad? The hell, you say!

[(Another) Barbara]

Thanks to all for your warm welcome on the previous threads. Today I'll be moving a sleeping bag and other camping gear into my computer office. Might as well, since even as a silent observer I have recently clocked about five comforting hours per day on JOM. I feel all sanctified by your friendly greetings and will remain here on standby until it's time to take my poverty, chastity and obedience vows. Can't wait! The first two are a cinch.

[Carol Herman]

Two facts you haven't heard: Maliki was the victim of a car bomb, and hasn't been seen since he was taken to an emergency hospital, which is an American facility. Secret as to even where he got hurt. But having a suicide bomber actually get through to you, while you're sitting in an armored car, leaves me to wonder? Why the silence?

Oh, yeah. Silence in germany, too! Hosni Mubarak went to germany (because he has cancer). They said they "did gallbladder surgery.)" But he never got better. He's either under refrigeration. Or on life supports.

No news? The facts are still there. And, this Mideast crap? About as unpopular as the new health care. But we don't vote. (Or when we vote it's way too late.)

Meanwhile, I've yet to read one report from a returning American who said anything nice about irak, or afghanistan. It's an armpit there. And, we seem stuck. We just can't figure how to get out.

[narciso]

Carol, we've been hearing about Maliki asking for a recount, for the better part of a week
now, where are you getting this, Now Hosni I'd
possibly buy that he might be the "Norwegian
blue" parrot, then again we've heard these reports about Fidel

[Motus]

Obama is asking the same for Canadians in Afghanistan. The PM wants to keep his job.

The only reason he's excited about health is the trips he had to cancel cause he was scared; like all those in Afghanistan and Iraq and Indonesia, etc.

[Sandy Daze]

25 March 2010
Baghdad

Hard to believe three months have already passed since Christmas. My younger daughter's birthday is only two months away--we mark her birthday by months before or after Christmas. But, I digress.

Am wondering about all of this hand-wringing over Iraq. Sure General Odierno has spent a lot of time here, so have I; approximately 48 out of the last 72 months--which includes leave, not including leave, I've been here 64 of 72 months. So, what of it?

Odierno set a reputation as being overly heavy handed on his first tour, and the choice to replace GENERAL Petraeus with Odierno raised many eyebrows. Mine included.

But you know what--?--GENERAL Odiero is making it happen. America kicked ass in Iraq when needed, used a velvet fist when needed, and was a nurse-maid when needed.

General Odierno deserves a lot of credit.

But CWCD, so do the TREMENDOUS contributions of the special operations teams. There have been a number, but a woefully short number, of media articles about their critical and consequential effort in this campaign.

The most recent is here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/7506932/Gen-Stanley-McChrystal-pays-tribute-to-courage-of-British-special-forces.html

I consider myself to be extremely fortunate to have known some of those that have done the heavy lifting. I stand in their shadow.

We all do.

Take good care,
Sandy

[SWarren]

Sandy,
Thank you for that affirmation of General Odierno who I greatly respect. Given the unstable situation and violence our troops faced at that time, you betcha kicking in doors was the mode of operation.

Also bothering me today is reading an article at American Thinker this morning calling another great man--"Petraeus of Arabia" saying that Petraeus sides with the Arabs over Israel. Sheesh!
Anyway, I appreciate your posting and your service. Stay safe.

[daddy]

Sandy,

Thanks for the service of you and our Troops.

Was in a bar last night in Itaewon, Korea, (LUN) heavily frequented by our Soldiers. It was Trivia contest night, and when the papers to write your answers on were initially passed out to the various teams jam-packing the place, the reverse side (worth 10 points if you got them all) was 10 pictures of the usual suspects: Pelosi, Reid, Ben Afleck, Sean Penn, Bill Maher, etc. It was a big hoot because you could write in their names, but the angry conservative question guy was open to "nick-names" for the gang of 10, ie "Dingy- Harry," etc. The clientele definitely approved.

There were questions about Ann Coulter being harrassed in Canada, and in round 4 the 1st question was "Who just promised to move to Costa Rica if Health Care was passed?" A shout went out that he didn't promise to move to Costa Rica, he promised to go to Costa Rica for his personal Health Care. Questioner immediately admitted his error to big laughter but let the gist of the question stand, and moved along.

My overall point being that it was impressive watching our overseas troops paying attention to whats going on in America. This stuff is definitely on their radar screen.
There may be legions of ignorant MSNBC watchers or NPR listeners or Times/WaPO readers back home, but these young folks in Uniform were anything but oblivious of current events, and it was good to see that first hand.

Thank you for your service and keep safe.

If anyone cares, The "B. Franklin's" (my team) did decent, but among other things we blew it on where the World Ice Skating Championships are currently going on, and screwed up on on the Title of the Second Album by Billy Ray Cyrus. (I suck at Country music). Worst of all, our team missed out on free shots of Jaegermeister, because we didn't know Ronald Reagan's Birthyear. Arggggh! Bummer.

[JeanD]

Sandy, a heartfelt thank you to you and yours. Stay safe and remember that you have a huge fan club at home.

And, daddy, you are a peach, even if you need a brush up on skating trivia.

[peter]

What a petty man. LUN

[Thomas Collins]

See LUN for a post from The Volokh Conspiracy (Kenneth Anderson was the poster) on a Harold Koh talk which included a discussion of the Obama Administration's view on the legality of targeting specific terrorists. Koh was quoted as stating the following:

"[a] state that is engaged in armed conflict or in legitimate self-defense is not required to provide targets with legal process before the state may use lethal force."

With respect to "armed conflict," Koh is quoted as having stated earlier in the talk that:

“…[I]t is the considered view of this administration…that targeting practices, including lethal operations conducted with the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), comply with all applicable law, including the laws of war….As recent events have shown, Al Qaeda has not abandoned its intent to attack the United States, and indeed continues to attack us. Thus, in this ongoing armed conflict, the United States has the authority under international law, and the responsibility to its citizens, to use force, including lethal force, to defend itself, including by targeting persons such as high-level al Qaeda leaders who are planning attacks... ."

Koh also specifically addresses and refutes the argument that the use of drones is illegal. This is an interesting post on the Adminstration's current thinking on targeted killings. It appears a smidgeon of common sense has crept into this thinking. If only the case were the case with respect to keeping our nuclear arsenal in tip top shape.

[Thomas Collins]

Make that "if only this were the case" in the next to last line of my 3/26/10 8:59 AM post.

[Thomas Collins]

Apparently common sense still doesn't prevail with respect to Obama's treatment of Netanyahu. See http://gatewaypundit.firstthings.com/2010/03/obama-refuses-to-dine-with-jewish-leader/
for a description of how Obama left a meeting with Netanyahu to have dinner (without inviting Netanyahu for dinner).

[anduril]

So what IS going on in Iraq these days? Well, here's one angle: Muqtada's star on the rise again. The roly poly holy boy is making a comeback:

The movement led by anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr is poised to make a dramatic return to the forefront of Iraq's Shi'ite politics, combining its success in recent elections with the anticipated elevation of its leader's religious status.

The Sadrists are the main faction in the Iraqi National Alliance, which is projected to have won 68 seats in the new parliament. The bloc was the main challenger for the Shi'ite vote against Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, who has been regarded with suspicion by the Sadrists since the Iraqi military led a crackdown on their militia in 2008.

Full results from the elections were due late Friday. After 95% of votes were counted ex-premier Iyad Allawi's Iraqiya bloc and

Maliki's State of Law Alliance were on course to win 91 seats each, with protracted coalition building the likely outcome.

Alongside growing leverage over their political rivals, the Sadrists are expected to enjoy greater spiritual authority among their supporters as Muqtada continues his studies to become an eminent Shi'ite scholar, or ayatollah.

Officials close to the 36-year-old cleric say he is making swift progress in his schooling at a seminary in the Iranian holy city of Qom. It is unclear whether he will graduate soon, as most ayatollahs spend several decades attaining the rank.

It is also as yet unclear whether the Sadrists will enter government or form an opposition. Whatever they decide, analysts say the Sadrists will be impossible to ignore in the new parliament.

"They will have their word in every decision," Abdullah Jaafar, a retired professor of political sciences in Baghdad, said.

As the most blatantly anti-American of the Shi'ite political groups, Muqtada's movement is particularly well-placed to capitalize on the planned withdrawal of most United States military forces from Iraq later this year.

"If the Americans withdraw at the expected time, the Sadrists will tell their followers that they kicked the troops out," Jaafar said. He added that the Sadrists would oppose any attempt to extend the Americans' stay in Iraq.

And, of course, there's lots more.

Prediction: once Moqtada graduates from ayatollah school and returns to Iraq he will sever all ties to Iran and disband his militia in favor of a movement of spiritual contemplation. This will be seen as another huge victory for The Surge strategy.

[anduril]

I always like this guy's stuff: China wary of US-Russia nuclear embrace.

[JM Hanes]

anduril:

"This will be seen as another huge victory for The Surge strategy."

Prediction: Obama will claim that success and welcome the stabilizing effect of al-Sadr's newfound pacifism and charitable good works.

"China wary of US-Russia nuclear embrace."

Odd headline for the story that follows. If Obama had any feel for foreign policy, the U.S. would be very worried about the Sino-Soviet rapprochement Bhadrakumar describes, along with the growing assertiveness of the BRIC block, which is just one of the new alignments which overtly exclude the U.S.

[M. Report]

The purpose of the military is
to break things and kill people;
If you want a Constabulary, raise
and train one.

If the US wishes to retain some control
over the actions of the factions in Iraq,
without paying in blood, it should supply
real-time intelligence on the activities
of our enemies to our friends; Military
and political leaders in conflict both
want the same thing: To know what is
waiting for them over the next hill.

[anduril]

Hmmmmm. Poland Finds Nuke Material Behind Sofa.

[narciso]

So it seems Allawi's in the lead now, well that could never have happened