Progress In Iraq

Michael Yon is one of the few embedded journalists I trust to report with accuracy. He doesn't sugar coat his reporting. It's all there, and it's a view you don't get from the MSM or other embedded reporters who spend 1, or 2 days or even a week with the units. Michael spends months with the troops. He has seen how the Iraq Army and Police operate. In 2005, the Iraqis ran, were as likely to shoot friend as foe, and were for the most part incompetent. The Iraqis are different in 2007. They have driven al Qaeda from Mosul although the insurgents still commute from the surrounding area to conduct ever decreasing attacks.

Today Michael has a new post about Progress In Iraq. I suggest it's a must read. Three Marks on the Horizon As we all know the National Iraq Parliament has taken the Month off. What you don't hear is the local Iraq Government is beginning to function for the benefit of the Iraq citizens. Generally the Iraqis trust what they can see. You have to earn their respect and trust, as most of the US Troops are doing. Units in Theater, earn the Iraqis trust and respect because these Troops have demonstrated that they are trustworthy.

Our military has increasing moral authority in Iraq, but the same cannot be said for our government at home. In fact, it’s in moral deficit because many Iraqis are increasingly frightened we will abandon them to genocide.

The Iraq Army and Police units are much more capable than a year or two ago. Especially the Army, to the point that the Iraq Army Units in Mosul are conducting their own missions. They still need US support, but that's all they need.

Because the Iraq Soldiers have progressed to this point, US Troops have been reduced in the Mosul Area. It's not completely safe yet, but it's getting there. Not because of Washington Politicians, but because of the soldiers and officers that Iraq is growing towards Independence and Democracy.

Today, the clout still is partially from the gun, and definitely the money is key, but there is an intangible and growing moral clout and it flows from an increasing respect among Iraqis for our military. Washington has no moral clout in Iraq. Washington looks like a circus act. The authority is coming from our military. The importance of this fact would be difficult to understate.

Iraq is a country that can be won. Iraq is a people who are becoming our allies.