Panel Says No Progress In Iraq

Both George Bush and John McCain would like for Americans to believe that they are making some progress in the Iraq War. In fact, McCain has actually said on the campaign trail that we are winning in Iraq. Unfortunately, that is just not true.

According to a report by the U.S. Institute of Peace, there has been no progress. The report was written by a panel of experts who advised the Iraq Study Group. It states, "The U.S. is no closer to being able to leave Iraq than it was a year ago. Lasting political development could take five to 10 years of full, unconditional U.S. commitment to Iraq."

The report did say that some minimal improvement in security had been achieved, but did not give Bush's troop surge credit for it. Instead, it credited the Sunnis who turned against al-Queda and the Shiite militia that has been obeying a truce declared by its leader.

The report also said that an immediate withdrawal could lead to more violence, and should be accompanied by an increase in U.S. troops stationed in neighboring countries. They are probably correct on all counts.

But I disagree with a couple of recommendations. It's not going to help the U.S. to increase troop strength in the area. The reason that the terrorists are angry with us in the first place is because we have troops stationed on Arabic soil. Increasing troop levels will only exacerbate the situation with the terrorists.

And it is probably best for us to get out of the way so the Iraqis can settle their differences. If we leave, the violence may well increase for a while. There is a civil war going on, and peace will not come until it is settled. Civil wars are violent affairs (as was our own), and all our occupation is doing is putting off the resolution of the civil war -- it is NOT helping to settle it.

Meanwhile, the supposedly safe "green zone" in Baghdad was attacked with rockets and mortars. Two American soldiers were killed and 17 were wounded. In southeastern Baghdad, another soldier was killed and 14 more wounded. That makes a total of 4018 American soldiers killed -- 115 this year since the supposedly victorious surge.

Our continued presence in Iraq is accomplishing nothing, except the killing of more American soldiers and the delay of an Iraqi solution. We need to bring them all home now.