Did you know that Iraq is actually taking charge of its forces? If you read the MSM, probably not. I have highlighted this from other sources, and, today, Sgt. Jeff Lowery tells us more (from Operation Iraqi Freedom)
Beginning in September, the Iraqi government will officially take control of its major air, sea and land-based military commands by standing up the Iraqi Joint Headquarters, Iraqi and U.S. officials said.
Seen as a significant step in Iraq’s path to self reliance, the Iraqi Ministry of Defense is prepared to begin assuming direct operational control over the country’s armed forces. The Iraqi Joint Headquarters, under the direction of the Ministry of Defense, will soon be fully responsible for the Iraqi Air Force, Iraqi Naval Force, and the Iraqi Ground Forces Command.
"We hope that by the end of the year, our security forces will take over most of the Iraqi provinces,'' Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said.
Definately read the rest.
The Democrats have not read the military sites, either. Otherwise, they would not have put out this ludicrous plan (h/t Blogs for Bush, story from US Newswire)
"Therefore, we urge you once again to consider changes to your Iraq policy. We propose a new direction, which would include: (1) transitioning the U.S. mission in Iraq to counter-terrorism, training, logistics and force protection; (2) beginning the phased redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq before the end of this year; (3) working with Iraqi leaders to disarm the militias and to develop a broad-based and sustainable political settlement, including amending the Constitution to achieve a fair sharing of power and resources; and (4) convening an international conference and contact group to support a political settlement in Iraq, to preserve Iraq's sovereignty, and to revitalize the stalled economic reconstruction and rebuilding effort.
Mark Noonan calls this making "surrender the official policy." And, based on #2, he is right.
As for #1, that was done quite some time ago, and we are now in the position of transitioning control of forces to Iraqi leadership. If the Democratic leadership would read their military briefings, rather then the nutroots, they might have known this.
Numbers 3 and 4 are typical of the Dems: yap yap and more yap, especially with their international buddies. Nothing like getting France involved with any surrender project.
