Security Forces Posted by Ilan Goldenberg

A central question that was just asked.  When will the Iraqi Security Forces be ready to take responsibility?  I have another question.  Petraeus is arguing that there has been a dramatic improvement in Iraqi Security Forces.  But if that is true then why do we still have 150,000 American troops in Iraq?

Comments

[Dan Kervick]

A central question that was just asked. When will the Iraqi Security Forces be ready to take responsibility?

Central, but old. It seems to me that Congress has been asking that question insistently for about four years now. I doubt any answer we are given will have any foundation in reality. Nor does the answer to that question seem to be playing any role in administration decision-making. So why even bother any more?

While we're getting a smattering of good questions from the members of Congress, the general background of the questioning still dwells in the realm of mutually supported, bi-partisan lies and fantasies.

For example, this particular question seems to derive from the background presupposition that the US is planning to leave once the Iraqis are able to "take responsibility". But isn't it quite evident following yesterday's extended display of bobbing and weaving that leaving Iraq at any time is just not on these guys' agenda?