The monthly death tolls continue to decrease in Iraq. The November death tolls for U.S. military personnel and Iraqi citizens hit close to two year lows. This is clear evidence that the military surge is working. The increase of 30,000 troops has been able to increase security in Iraq to the point that Iraqi refugees, who once fled the violence, are now returning. While I personally remain skeptical of the Iraqi mission, there have certainly been positive developments over the last three months.
Yet these developments beg certain questions. What happens as the surge ends (the additional 30,000 troops are already in the process of drawing down)? Why has the decrease in violence not resulted in any political progress in the Maliki government? Is maintaining 160,000 U.S. troops in the country, the only way to maintain relative security? Finally, if the recent military successes are due to the increase in troops then doesn't the President have to answer for why it took nearly three years to develop this unoriginal plan?
Yet these developments beg certain questions. What happens as the surge ends (the additional 30,000 troops are already in the process of drawing down)? Why has the decrease in violence not resulted in any political progress in the Maliki government? Is maintaining 160,000 U.S. troops in the country, the only way to maintain relative security? Finally, if the recent military successes are due to the increase in troops then doesn't the President have to answer for why it took nearly three years to develop this unoriginal plan?
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071202/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_casualties;_ylt=AmOqKzhuheTeQAJ4UuaKJFYLewgF
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