Success Breeding Success

According to Navy Rear Admiral Patrick Driscoll, that is the situation in Iraq. From CentCom:

"As the [Iraqi security force] enforces the rule of law and improves security in places like Basra, Mosul, Amarah and Sadr City, the people are finding new confidence in those that lead and protect them," Driscoll said. "Iraqis see security forces in their neighborhoods providing protection, and they are increasingly providing the army and police with valuable information that enhances safety." [...]

Essential services follow in the wake of these security operations. In Baghdad's Mansour district, the Iraqi government opened the capital city's largest public works substation. The facility will provide the community with its own center that supports street cleaning, sanitation and garbage removal, Driscoll said. The embedded provincial reconstruction team of the 101st Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team supported much of the work.

The Iraqis are stepping up to the challenge, and U.S. Forces are supporting them. Good things are happening in Iraq, which is probably why you aren't seeing or hearing about it much in the media.

USMC 9971 OUT

Taps

The remains of PVT Byron Fouty and SPC Alex Jimenez have been recovered in Iraq. Their checkpoint was ambushed on 12 May 2007. Four of their fellow soldiers (SFC James D. Connell Jr., PFC Daniel Courneya, PFC Christopher E. Murphy, and SGT Anthony Schober) were killed in the attack, and PFC Joseph Anzack Jr. went missing along with PVT Fouty and SPC Jimenez. The body of PFC Anzack was found in the Euphrates River eleven days later.

In June of 2007, a terror group released a video claiming to have killed PVT Fouty and SPC Jimenez.

My thoughts and prayers are with these soldiers and their families.

Requiescat in pace.

USMC 9971 OUT

This Could Simplify Things

The Iraqi National Security Adviser, Mouwaffak al-Rubaie, has stated that a security deal being negotiated between Iraq and the U.S. must contain specific dates for the withdrawal of U.S.-led forces. From FOX News:

"Our stance in the negotiations underway with the American side will be strong ... We will not accept any memorandum of understanding that doesn't have specific dates to withdraw foreign forces from Iraq," al-Rubaie said.

Some type of agreement between the United States and Iraq is needed to keep U.S. troops in Iraq after a U.N. mandate expires at year's end.

Iraq's government has felt increasingly confident in recent weeks about its authority and the country's improved stability, and Iraqi officials have sharpened their public stance in the negotiations considerably in just the last few days.

Violence in Iraq has fallen to its lowest level in four years. The change has been driven by the 2007 buildup of American forces, the Sunni tribal revolt against Al Qaeda in Iraq and crackdowns against Shiite militias and Sunni extremists.

As long as the Iraqis can maintain security, this provides a means to definitively end the conflict in Iraq without having a U.S. pull-out being decided arbitrarily by the American politicians. Also, if security and stability is maintained by the Iraqis, then it will be very hard to label the outcome as anything but a win.

USMC 9971 OUT

Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Kidnapped In Iraq

There is not a whole lot on this right now, but Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Faraj Rahho was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in Mosul. The gunmen also killed three people who were with the Archbishop at the time.

Gunmen kidnapped the Chaldean Catholic archbishop of Mosul on Friday in the northern Iraqi city and killed his driver and two guards, police said.

"He was kidnapped in the al-Nour district in eastern Mosul when he left a church. Gunmen opened fire on the car, killed the other three and kidnapped the archbishop," said provincial police spokesman Brigadier-General Khaled Abdul Sattar. [...]

A number of Christian clergy have been kidnapped or killed, and churches bombed in Iraq since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.

Last June, gunmen murdered Catholic priest Ragheed Aziz Kani and three assistants in Mosul, 240 miles north of Baghdad, after stopping his car near a church in the eastern part of the ethnically and religiously mixed city.

The assailants dragged out the priest and his assistants and shot them dead in an attack that was condemned by Pope Benedict.

A former Archbishop of Mosul, Basile Georges Casmoussa, was kidnapped at gunpoint in 2005, but was released after one day of captivity and said no ransom was paid.

Say a prayer for the safety of Archbishop Rahho, and also for the souls of the Archbishop's three murdered compainions.

(H/T: Vir Speluncae Catholicus at The Lair of the Catholic Cavemen)

USMC 9971 OUT

Democratic Led House Stabs Troops In Back

The House of Representatives, led by Democratic Speaker Pelosi, has passed a war spending bill that has cut-and-run provisions attached to it.

House Democrats pushed through a $50 billion (euro34 billion) Iraq war bill that would require President George W. Bush to start bringing troops home in coming weeks with a goal of ending combat by December 2008.

The legislation, passed 218-203 on Wednesday night, was largely a symbolic jab at Bush, who already has begun reducing force levels but opposes a congressionally mandated timetable on the war. And while the measure was unlikely to pass in the Senate — let alone overcome a presidential veto — Democrats said they wanted voters to know they were not giving up. [...]

Hours before the scheduled vote, the White House dispatched Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Capitol Hill to brief lawmakers on Iraq.

In one closed-door meeting, Gates urged a group of senators not to support the bill. He said the same lawmakers who criticized Pentagon civilians for previously ignoring the advice of its uniformed generals were asking him to ignore them now, according to an official who attended the meeting. The official requested anonymity because the meeting was private. [...]

It is expected that if the measure fails in the Senate, Democrats will not consider Bush's war spending request until next year. Democrats say the military will not need the money until then and the Pentagon can transfer money from less urgent accounts or from spending set aside for the last three months of this year.

The Pentagon says moving money around is a bureaucratic nightmare that costs more in the long run. And if taken to the extreme, the military would eventually have to freeze contracts or lay off civilian workers to ensure troops in combat have what they need.

The Democrats are pandering to the anti-war members of their base at the expense of our Troops who are currently deployed in the field. This isn't just an Iraq spending bill; it's an Afghanistan spending bill as well. Keep that in mind as the Democrats babble on incessantly about Iraq, because this will hurt our Troops outside of Iraq, as well.

The Democrats (with only a few exceptions) don't care, though. Our Troops aren't as important to them as is their perception in the eyes of the anti-war groups. The Troops are succeeding, and the Democrats refuse to see it. They'd rather pull the rug out from under deployed members of the military than to allow any success to continue during the current Bush administration.

I question the love and devotion that the Democrats have for this nation, and I question the support that they claim to have for the military that defends it. And if the Troops don't get another funding bill from the Democratic led Congress until next year, I hope that every issue that arises due to funding problems is itemized and broadcast to the American public as issues created by Nancy Pelosi's and Harry Reid's partisan refusal to support our Troops in the field. And if deaths are tied to those issues, then the blood is on the hands of those who voted for this bill, and of the leadership that refused to offer another funding bill so that they could make a statement to our society's lowest common denominator.

Here's the roll call, in case you would like to give your representative an earful if they voted against the bill, or possibly an atta-boy if they voted against it (keeping in mind, though, that Kucinich and Stark voted against it because they didn't think that it went far enough).

I truly hope that our Troops remain safe and that progress continues, regardless of the efforts of most Democratic politicians to effect change to the contrary.

USMC 9971 OUT

Democrats Continue To Ignore Success, Stab Troops In Back

That's right. The Democrats are continuing to stab our Troops in the back by threatening to withhold a funding bill for the remainder of this year if it doesn't include a cut-and-run provision.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Tuesday that Democrats won't approve more money for the Iraq war this year unless President Bush agrees to begin bringing troops home.

By the end of the week, the House and Senate planned to vote on a $50 billion measure for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The bill would require Bush to initiate troop withdrawals immediately with the goal of ending combat by December 2008.

If Bush vetoes the bill, "then the president won't get his $50 billion," Reid, D-Nev., told reporters at a Capitol Hill news conference.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., made a similar statement last week in a closed-door caucus meeting.

Don't forget, though, that they support our Troops. Really. I heard them say it once.

Now if only they could SHOW IT. That would be nice, but I'm not counting on it.

Harry and Nancy, forcing the Pentagon to juggle the books so that you can make a political show for you MoveOn.org constituency at the expense of our men and women in uniform is not support; it's a sickening display of partisan pandering to the lowest common denominator in our society. The actions of you and your fellow Democrats to date have caused me to question the love and devotion that the majority of you hold for this nation.

Stop pissing on our heads while telling us it's raining. We know the difference, and we can see what you truly are.

USMC 9971 OUT

The Trend Toward Better Security Is Indisputable

That is from a new AP piece on the improving security situation in Iraq.

BAGHDAD - Rocket and mortar attacks have fallen to their lowest level in nearly two years. Civilian deaths have dropped sharply since summer. Shoppers are venturing out, even in Baghdad's most dangerous neighborhoods.

Iraq's capital is by no means yet safe. But the trend toward better security is indisputable.

In short, the traumatized residents of this sprawling city are experiencing their first sense of normalcy after years of bombings, kidnappings and wholesale slaughter. Iraqi officials are speaking optimistically about reopening streets and gradually lifting the nighttime curfew to encourage public confidence. [...]

"I think it has turned a corner," Gen. Richard Cody, vice chief of staff of the Army, told the AP on Monday. "These things take time, though ... We have to have patience ... Certainly the enemy has patience. We have to have patience."

If you check out the MNF-Iraq website, you will see plenty of other successes. As the article notes, things haven't magically become all puppy-dogs and ice cream in Iraq, but the improvements are noticeable and dramatic.

When Speaker Pelosi says, "There is no light at the end of the tunnel," she must not be looking at all of the facts on the ground. Instead of threatening to offer no funding for our Troops without a cut-and-run provision, maybe the Democrats should start listening to our Troops and noticing the successes.

Gen. Cody says that we need to have patience, Speaker Pelosi, and even the AP is now saying that the trend toward better security in Iraq is indisputable. Instead of pulling the rug out from under the feet of our Troops, why not do something novel by giving them the funding and support that they need to try to continue this trend.

The Democrats say they support the Troops; let's see if they will actually do it.

USMC 9971 OUT

Infrastructure Reports From MNF-Iraq

We are slowly starting to see reports in the MSM of the successes that are being achieved in Iraq, but more information is always available from the MNF-Iraq website. Here are some of MNF-Iraq's Freedom Facts about the Iraqi infrastructure from September.

Electrical Production
In August, electrical production of megawatts exceeded 5,000 for 25 days – producing enough power for approximately 450,000 homes. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Gulf Region Division is helping the Government of Iraq jumpstart its electrical infrastructure by infusing more than $4 billion dollars into the nation's system. More than 500 electrical projects have been completed thus far in areas of generation, transmission and distribution.

Transportation
Since January 2007, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Gulf Region Division Logistics Center has monitored 4,191 convoys; 44,457 cargo vehicles; and 1,734 rail missions.

Oil Projects
The Gulf Region Division has met its oil projects goals by increasing crude oil infrastructure capacity to 3 million barrels per day; increasing the natural gas infrastructure capacity to 800 million standard cubic feet per day; and increasing the LPG (cooking gas) infrastructure capacity to 3,000 tons per day. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers budget invested $1.7 billion in Iraq's oil infrastructure.

Primary Healthcare Centers
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Gulf Region Division is constructing 142 Primary Healthcare Centers - worth more than $132 million – across Iraq. Currently, 73 clinics are completed and 23 are open and seeing upwards of 350 patients a day. The program, which is 96 percent complete, is expected to close out in January 2008.

There is a lot of good happening in Iraq and Afghanistan. Keep supporting our Troops and the amazing job that they are doing.

USMC 9971 OUT

General Sees Progress In Hawr Rajab First Hand - Democrats Remain Blind To It

The area of Hawr Rajab has improved dramatically since July, and the MND-C commanding general was observing this first-hand three days ago.

Four months ago, a U.S. or Iraqi Soldier walking the streets of Hawr Rajab would have likely sparked a battle. The city was dominated by al-Qaida, the streets lined with improvised explosive devices.

Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, MND-C commanding general, walked the streets of Hawr Rajab Nov. 7, witnessing firsthand the dramatic improvement in the city's security.

With the Concerned Local Citizens (CLC) groups fighting insurgents and aiding U.S. Soldiers, the threat of al-Qaida has dropped considerably. An Iraqi Army (IA) mechanized company was added to help secure the community.

Of course, back in Washington D.C., the Democrats aren't willing to accept the fact that there have been amazing successes and improvements within the past several months. Instead, the Democrats are looking at passing a funding bill for Iraq and Afghanistan that would also require the withdrawal U.S. Forces.

White House spokesman Tony Fratto said Thursday that Bush would again veto any legislation that sets an "artificial timeline" for troop withdrawals.

"We should be supporting our troops as they are succeeding, not finding ways to undercut their mission," he said.

Pelosi, D-Calif., told members in a private caucus meeting on Thursday that if Bush rejected the measure, she did not intend on sending him another war spending bill for the rest of the year.

"It's a war without end," Pelosi later told reporters. "There is no light at the end of the tunnel. We must reverse it."

So, to Pelosi and the Democrats, the recent successes are not a sign of improvement. The only solution for the Democrats, regardless of any progress, is to cut-and-run. And if they don't get their way, then they won't offer any more funding for the Troops in 2007.

But remember, they support the troops, folks. And whatever you do, don't question their patriotism.

USMC 9971 OUT

Thank you, America!

Those were the words of Majhid Hamid Majeed, an Iraqi father of five who was being held for ransom by terrorists in Baghdad, after he was informed by an interpreter that the men who had just burst into the room in which he was being held were U.S. Forces there to rescue him. U.S. Forces were tipped-off by concerned local citizens (CLCs).

This is the type of news that isn't being broadcast, but it desperately needs to be. I know that some will say that the hostage rescue noted above is an isolated occurrence, but I would strongly disagree. The Congressional leadership and the MSM just don't seem to be interested in any of the good news found in the MNF-Iraq news releases (and, yes, the bad news is also in those MNF-Iraq news releases).

In a radio address in January of 2007, Senator Harry Reid said the following (emphasis mine):

Yesterday, in a letter to the President, the new Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and I expressed our hope the President will reject one idea he is reportedly considering - the so-called "surge option," where thousands of additional combat troops would be deployed to Baghdad.

Based on the advice of current and former military leaders, we believe this tactic would be a serious mistake. These military professionals tell us there is no purely military solution in Iraq, there is only a political solution in Iraq. They say adding more U.S. combat troops in the middle of this civil war undermines our efforts to get the Iraqis to take responsibility for their future, and asks our already overstretched military to carry a burden the Iraqis should be shouldering themselves.

But, when one looks at the news not being presented to the American people, one sees a post-surge increase in security and Iraqis stepping-up to take responsibility for their future.

Coalition and Iraqi forces in northwestern Baghdad have stopped the cycle of violence there, and Iraqi citizens are resuming their lives in safe and secure neighborhoods, a Coalition commander in the area said today. [...]

The effort got a huge shot in the arm in January when troops from the surge of additional forces began flowing into Iraq. The brigade fields five maneuver task forces, three of which came from surge forces. These units "gave us increased combat power and capabilities to do missions," Burton said. [...]

And the strategy is working. There has been an 85 percent reduction in violence in the region since May, Burton said. "Of our 95 mahalas, or neighborhoods, 58 of them are now considered under control," he said. "Thirty-three remain in a clearing status, with violence continuing to go down, and four remain in a 'disrupt' status."

Murders are down from a peak of more than 160 reported murders per week a year ago to less than five per week today. Improvised-explosive-device and small-arms attacks are down from a peak of 50 per week in June to less than five per week since the end of August, Burton said. Car-bomb attacks are down nearly 85 percent due to efforts aimed at the Karkh networks. These had a "tremendous impact on insurgents' ability to instruct and employ those types of weapons effectively," the colonel said.

Businesses are opening, people are moving back into the area, and local citizens are working to point out extremists and criminals, Burton said. [...]

Burton said he believes the Iraqi security forces will be able to capitalize on the gains made in the past few months. "The Iraqi security forces in all of our areas are working in partnership fully with us," he said. "In some areas, I've been able to reduce the number of Coalition forces and their responsibilities there so I can go out and move my forces into other areas to create increased effects, and we're developing plans to do that right now.

"The Iraqi security forces … are planning, and they are employing forces across their zone in partnership with us," he continued. "And there are some areas of our area of responsibility where I put limited Coalition forces in on a daily basis because the Iraqis have gained control of this."

Coalition, Iraqi forces work to halt cycle of violence in Baghdad - 14 October 2007

This isn't an instance of just finding one such story, though. There are many other examples of Iraqis taking responsibility for their future. You can check-out any of these from the past few weeks for yourself.

• Concerned Local Citizens turn in cache (Hawr Rajab) - 01 November 2007

• Concerned Local Citizens lead Coalition Forces to cache location (Al Buaytha) - 30 October 2007

• Iraqi citizens take stand against insurgents; aid National Police to discover cache (New Baghdad) - 30 October 2007

• Local citizens help Iraqi Security Forces seize terrorist weapons cache in Hillah - 29 October 2007

• Suicide bomber detonates upon discovery by CLCs (Muqdadiya) - 27 October 2007

• Concerned Local Citizens help round up suspected extremists (Hawr Rajab and Arab Jabour) - 27 October 2007

• Iraqis help their own with humanitarian aid - 16 October 2007

The same goes for hostage rescues. Terrorists continue to try to raise money by kidnapping Iraqis for ransom, but Iraqi and Coalition Forces are continually finding the terrorist kidnappers and freeing the Iraqi hostages.

• Iraqi Security Forces rescue sheik hostages - 30 October 2007

• Coalition Forces free hostage from al Qaeda (al Hammadi) - 30 October 2007

• Five hostages released, illegal prisons discovered in Baqouba - 19 October 2007

• 4th Iraqi Army Division accomplishes independent assault - 05 October 2007

There are plenty of successes, and there is plenty of good news coming from Iraq. The same goes for Afghanistan. It isn't just a fluke that good things are happening, but those good things do seem to go against the desired narrative of the MSM and the leadership in D.C.

None of our Troops should watch the news and wonder if the American people support them and the job they are doing. None of our Troops should catch a report about Iraq or Afghanistan and wonder if they are in the only AO with successes. But when I hear from people serving in Iraq and Afghanistan that they are happy to hear that there are many of us back home who support them and their mission, it speaks to how little coverage any of the good news is receiving.

The Troops and the American people deserve better. Hey, politicians and journalists, it's time to start telling the full story.

USMC 9971 OUT

Casualty Rates DROP In Iraq

Odd, isn't it, that this is not getting any big-time MSM fanfare? An actual Fox News article (not one of the AP reprints on the Fox News website) describes a drop in violence in some of the most dangerous places in Iraq. Most notable was that there was not one Iraqi or U.S. military casualty in Al Anbar over the course of last week. I say again, there was not one Iraqi or U.S. military casualty in all of Al Anbar over the entirety of last week. Other stats from Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesman Major General Richard Sherlock:

• Violence in and around Baghdad is down 59 percent.
• Car bombs are down 65 percent.
• Casualties from car bombs and roadside bombs are down by 80 percent.
• Casualties from enemy attacks down 77 percent.
• Operations against Iraqi security forces are down 62 percent.
• Assassination attempts for sectarian reasons are down 72 percent.

No military casualties in Al Anbar for a week, violence down in the Baghdad area, car bombings are down, car bomb and roadside bomb casualties are down, casualties from enemy attacks are down, and sectarian assassination attempts are down; yet the MSM is suspiciously quiet.

Now, I know that there are those who will say that the California fires are taking the majority of the MSM time and headlines, but I don't buy that excuse. If the terrorists get off a big hit in Iraq while the California fires are still burning, do you think that the MSM will be too busy with California, or do you think the MSM will plaster that carnage without pointing out the significant decrease in violence that has continued in Iraq prior to the attack?

I think that it would be the latter, and that such coverage is indicative of the way the MSM cherry-picks what image of Iraq to show the American people.

USMC 9971 OUT

Schumer Can Eat My Shorts

The MSM doesn't appear to be covering this currently, but here is what Chuck-head said on the floor of the U.S. Senate following their August vacation.

And let me be clear, the violence in Anbar has gone down despite the surge, not because of the surge. The inability of American soldiers to protect these tribes from al Qaeda said to these tribes we have to fight al Qaeda ourselves. It wasn't that the surge brought peace here. It was that the warlords took peace here, created a temporary peace here. And that is because there was no one else there protecting.

A couple of things, Chuck-head. First, it was the blood, sweat, and tears of our Troops that got the Iraqis in al Anbar to join the fight against al Qaeda. It wasn't any inability to protect Iraqis on the part of our Troops that finally managed to convince the Iraqi tribal leaders in the region to actually fight against the terrorist animals who were murdering their men, women, and children. Instead, it was the constant sacrifice of our Troops on the behalf of the Iraqis that made the tribal leaders join us in our fight against al Qaeda.

Second, members of your party have been whining about the Iraqis not stepping up and solving the problems of the terrorist attacks in their own midst for themselves for over a year now. Senator Jack Reed said, "The Iraqis need to know that America's commitment of over 100,000 American troops is not unlimited. Iraq's problems can only be truly solved by Iraqis themselves." Then DNC Chairman Howard Dean, in his address to the DNC Spring Meeting in 2006, said, "Democrats will ensure that 2006 is a year of transition in Iraq – the Iraqis need to take responsibility for their own future." The Democrats laid out a comprehensive strategy for Iraq in late November of 2006 that included a goal "to make clear that Iraqis need to take responsibility for the future of their country." Senator Harry Reid, in a statement following the execution of Saddam Hussein, said, "Now, the Iraqi people have an opportunity to open a new chapter, by quelling the sectarian violence and building a nation for themselves."

So, Chuck-head, the Iraqis in al Anbar joined together with U.S. Troops to fight against al Qaeda, stepping up and taking a greater role in stopping the violence that the terrorists are committing against the Iraqi people, and you have the audacity to turn around and say that the only reason that the Iraqis are taking on al Qaeda in al Anbar is because, as you allege, our Troops lack the ability to protect them?

Now, I'm sure that Chuck-head will come out, much like B. Hussein Obama and John F'n Kerry, and say that his comments were misunderstood, and that he supports our Troops.

Regardless, I'd like him to go and stand before our Troops in Iraq. Go ahead, Chuck-head, and stand before our Troops in al Anbar and tell them that you believe that it was their inability to protect the Iraqis that drove them to fight for themselves. That, or apologize to them for suggesting, even if you end-up claiming that it was inadvertent, that they are incompetent.

Either way, Chuck-head formally joins the ranks of many Democrats who I believe have no devotion to, or love for, their own country.

USMC 9971 OUT

Troop Success Is A Problem For The Democrats

Democratic House Majority Whip James Clyburn says what many of us already presumed about the Democrats. From the Washington Post, emphasis mine.

Clyburn noted that Petraeus carries significant weight among the 47 members of the Blue Dog caucus in the House, a group of moderate to conservative Democrats. Without their support, he said, Democratic leaders would find it virtually impossible to pass legislation setting a timetable for withdrawal.

"I think there would be enough support in that group to want to stay the course and if the Republicans were to stay united as they have been, then it would be a problem for us," Clyburn said. "We, by and large, would be wise to wait on the report."

Many Democrats have anticipated that, at best, Petraeus and U.S. ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker would present a mixed analysis of the success of the current troop surge strategy, given continued violence in Baghdad. But of late there have been signs that the commander of U.S. forces might be preparing something more generally positive. Clyburn said that would be "a real big problem for us."

There you have it. If it's good news from Iraq, and success for our troops and our nation, then it's a "real big problem" for the Democrats.

Can we question their patriotism now?

USMC 9971 OUT

Tribal Leaders In Iraq Unite To Defeat Al-Qaeda

Did you miss this encouraging piece of good news in the MSM yesterday?

Approximately 75 tribal sheiks and local leaders gathered at the Iraqi Army Headquarters in Khalis, Iraq, to discuss grievances between tribes, determine solutions for security and services, and unite to defeat al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations in the Khalis area.

I wouldn't be surprised if you haven't heard about this meeting, and it is another excellent example of why everyone should be checking out the MNF-Iraq Website daily for ALL of the news about Iraq.

Tribal leaders gathering to work together for solutions to local problems, and to unite against the terrorists, is good news. Iraqis peacefully solving issues for themselves is progress, yet it also appears that it is something that those so-called "professional journalists" in the MSM don't deem worthy of covering.

USMC 9971 OUT

Interim Iraq Progress Report Released

The Bush Administration has released its Initial Benchmark Assessment Report to Congress. You can read the official report online here (it's only twenty-five pages). Of the eighteen benchmarks, eight were assessed as satisfactory, eight were assessed as unsatisfactory, and two were assessed as not have prerequisites present.

I have created two summaries of the benchmark assessments below. The first simply lists the benchmarks, sorted by assessment. The second presents each of the benchmarks and their corresponding assessment. Much more detail is provided in the full report.


SUMMARY 1

Assessed As Satisfactory

• Forming a Constitutional Review Committee and then completing the constitutional review.
• Enacting and implementing legislation on procedures to form semi-autonomous regions.
• Establishing supporting political, media, economic, and services committees in support of the Baghdad Security Plan.
• Providing three trained and ready Iraqi brigades to support Baghdad operations.
• Ensuring that, as Prime Minister Maliki was quoted by President Bush as saying, "the Baghdad Security Plan will not provide a safe haven for any outlaws, regardless of [their] sectarian or political affiliation."
• Establishing all of the planned joint security stations in neighborhoods across Baghdad.
• Ensuring that the rights of minority political parties in the Iraqi legislature are protected.
• Allocating and spending $10 billion in Iraqi revenues for reconstruction projects, including delivery of essential services, on an equitable basis.

Assessed As Unsatisfactory

• Enacting and implementing legislation on de-Ba'athification reform.
• Enacting and implementing legislation to ensure the equitable distribution of hydrocarbon resources to the people of Iraq without regard to the sect or ethnicity of recipients, and enacting and implementing legislation to ensure that the energy resources of Iraq benefit Sunni Arabs, Shi'a Arabs, Kurds, and other Iraqi citizens in an equitable manner.
• Enacting and implementing legislation establishing an Independent High Electoral Commission, provincial elections law, provincial council authorities, and a date for provincial elections. (Broken into four sub-benchmarks; three of which were found to be unsatisfactory.)
• Providing Iraqi commanders with all authorities to execute this plan and to make tactical and operational decisions in consultation with U.S. Commanders without political intervention to include the authority to pursue all extremists including Sunni insurgents and Shiite militias.
• Ensuring that Iraqi Security Forces are providing even-handed enforcement of the law.
• Reducing the level of sectarian violence in Iraq and eliminating militia control of local security.
• Increasing the number of Iraqi security forces units capable of operating independently.
• Ensuring that Iraq's political authorities are not undermining or making false accusations against members of the ISF.

Assessed As Not Having Prerequisites Present

• Enacting and implementing legislation addressing amnesty.
• Enacting and implementing legislation establishing a strong militia disarmament program to ensure that such security forces are accountable only to the central government and loyal to the constitution of Iraq.

SUMMARY 2

Section 1314 (b)(2)(A) The President shall submit an initial report, in classified and unclassified format, to the Congress, not later than July 15, 2007, assessing the status of each of the specific benchmarks...and declaring, in his judgment, whether satisfactory progress toward meeting these benchmarks is, or is not, being achieved.

Section 1314 (b)(2)(C) If the President's assessment of any of the specific benchmarks established above is unsatisfactory, the President shall include in that report a description of such revisions to the political, economic, regional, and military components of the strategy, as announced by the President on January 10, 2007. In addition, the President shall include in the report the advisability of implementing such aspects of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group, as he deems appropriate.

Section 1314 (b)(1)(A) The United States Strategy in Iraq, hereafter, shall be conditioned on the Iraqi Government meeting benchmarks . . . including:

(i) Forming a Constitutional Review Committee and then completing the constitutional review.

Assessment: The Government of Iraq has made satisfactory progress toward forming a Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) and then completing the constitutional review. The CRC has been formed, and, while difficult issues remain, significant progress has been made on many substantive issues and technical details involved in the constitutional review process. The CRC has requested an extension to resolve remaining issues, and its Chairman remains committed to moving the process forward. While the progress on this benchmark has been satisfactory, the achievement of the desired reconciliation effect depends on progress with respect to several other benchmarks as well as this one.

(ii) Enacting and implementing legislation on de-Ba'athification reform.

Assessment: The Government of Iraq has not made satisfactory progress toward enacting and implementing legislation on de-Ba'athification reform. This is among the most divisive political issues for Iraq, and compromise will be extremely difficult. Given the lack of satisfactory progress, we have not achieved the desired reconciliation effect that meaningful and broadly accepted de-Ba'athification reform might bring about. This does not, however, necessitate a revision to the current plan and strategy. De-Ba'athification remains a core priority of U.S. political engagement, and pushing reforms too fast or in a manner that results in a poor law could be detrimental to our overall reconciliation objectives.

(iii) Enacting and implementing legislation to ensure the equitable distribution of hydrocarbon resources to the people of Iraq without regard to the sect or ethnicity of recipients, and enacting and implementing legislation to ensure that the energy resources of Iraq benefit Sunni Arabs, Shi'a Arabs, Kurds, and other Iraqi citizens in an equitable manner.

Assessment: The current status is unsatisfactory, but it is too early to tell whether the Government of Iraq will enact and implement legislation to ensure the equitable distribution of hydrocarbon resources to all Iraqis. The Government of Iraq has not met its self-imposed goal of May 31 for submitting the framework hydrocarbon and revenue-sharing laws to the COR. Although the KRG and the Shi'a parties have agreed to the text of the Revenue Management Law, Council of Ministers' approval has been delayed by a Sunni party boycott. The effect of limited progress toward this benchmark has been to reduce the perceived confidence in, and effectiveness of, the Iraqi Government. This does not, however, necessitate a revision to our current plan and strategy, under which we have assigned a high priority to this subject, and the process overall has continued to move forward.

(iv) Enacting and implementing legislation on procedures to form semi-autonomous regions.

Assessment: The Government of Iraq has made satisfactory progress toward enacting and implementing legislation on procedures to form semi-autonomous regions. The regions law has been passed. Implementation of this legislation should take place after provincial elections are held and after the passage of an updated elections law. The procedures are in place, but whether establishment of additional regions (in addition to the already-recognized KRG) is desirable depends on a number of factors, including the outcome of efforts at constitutional reform. The progress toward this benchmark has been satisfactory, and the effect is that this potentially contentious issue has not been a source of discord.

(v) Enacting and implementing legislation establishing an Independent High Electoral Commission, provincial elections law, provincial council authorities, and a date for provincial elections.

Assessment: There are multiple components to this benchmark, each deserving its own assessment:

• Establishing the IHEC Commission: The Government of Iraq has made satisfactory progress toward establishing an IHEC Commission. The Commission has been established.
• Elections Law: The Government of Iraq has not made satisfactory progress toward establishing a provincial elections law. Drafting of the law has just begun.
• Provincial Council Authorities: The Government of Iraq has not made satisfactory progress toward establishing provincial council authorities. The COR is working on legislation, which has had its second reading; however, the COR committee continues to work on revisions to the draft law, and it remains unclear when the legislation will come to a third and final vote by the full COR.
• Provincial Elections Date: The Government of Iraq has not made satisfactory progress toward establishing a date for provincial elections. Legislation required for setting the date has not been enacted.

The effect is that there is still no mechanism in place to address the under-representation of Sunnis in provincial councils that was caused by past Sunni election boycotts. However, at this time, this does not necessitate a revision to our current plan and strategy, under which we regard movement on this issue as one of the highest priorities, and have seen progress in key areas – particularly with respect to the IHEC, which is a critical building block to holding genuine and credible local elections with U.N. assistance and support.

(vi) Enacting and implementing legislation addressing amnesty.

Assessment: The prerequisites for a successful general amnesty are not present; however, in the current security environment, it is not clear that such action should be a near-term Iraqi goal. The Government of Iraq has established a high-level Government of Iraq Reconciliation Committee to support and oversee efforts of groups that want to oppose AQI and other extremist elements -- working with a joint U.S. Embassy/MNF-I group that is facilitating such actions in coordination with units on the ground. These efforts are more relevant at this point than are general amnesty initiatives. Nonetheless, the Government of Iraq should develop amnesty programs later in the year, so they are ready to be implemented if opportunities arise. Given the absence of the necessary conditions for amnesty, the absence of amnesty legislation has had no effect. The current plan and strategy calls for the passage of such legislation when the necessary conditions are present.

(vii) Enacting and implementing legislation establishing a strong militia disarmament program to ensure that such security forces are accountable only to the central government and loyal to the constitution of Iraq.

Assessment: The prerequisites for a successful militia disarmament program are not present. In fact, international experts, including the U.N., have expressed reservations to advancing this proposal at the present time. The U.N. DDR Advisory Mission to Baghdad Report (April 25 - May 2, 2007) stated, "The Iraq environment makes it most unlikely that traditional DDR can take place, and planning should take this into account." Likewise, a State Department internal review has shown that the timing is not right for a full-scale DDR program in Iraq. Given the absence of the necessary conditions for DDR, the absence of legislation on militia disarmament has had no effect. The current plan and strategy calls for the passage of such legislation when the necessary conditions are present.

(viii) Establishing supporting political, media, economic, and services committees in support of the Baghdad Security Plan.

Assessment: The Government of Iraq has made satisfactory progress toward establishing supporting political, media, economic, and services committees in support of the Baghdad Security Plan. The establishment of the ESC and related subcommittees meets the requirement of the benchmark. Nevertheless, both the U.S. Mission and MNF-I will remain intensively engaged with the ESC to continue to improve its effectiveness and ensure that the subcommittees fulfill the purpose for which they were created as their contribution to date has not been adequate. Progress toward achieving this benchmark has been satisfactory, and we will continue to monitor and engage with the committees to produce a satisfactory effect over the next 60 days.

(ix) Providing three trained and ready Iraqi brigades to support Baghdad operations.

Assessment: The Government of Iraq has made satisfactory progress toward providing three trained and ready Iraqi brigades to support Baghdad operations. While manning levels for the deployed Iraqi units continue to be of concern, the Iraqi Government has provided the equivalent of three additional brigades to Baghdad and has made provisions to sustain this level of effort and to address manning issues -- in addition to steadily increasing the strengths of Iraqi units already deployed in Baghdad. The progress toward this benchmark has been satisfactory, and the effect is satisfactory in that the three brigades are operating in support of Baghdad operations.

(x) Providing Iraqi commanders with all authorities to execute this plan and to make tactical and operational decisions in consultation with U.S. Commanders without political intervention to include the authority to pursue all extremists including Sunni insurgents and Shiite militias.

Assessment: The Government of Iraq has not made satisfactory progress toward providing Iraqi commanders with all authorities to execute this plan and to make tactical and operational decisions in consultation with U.S. Commanders without political intervention to include the authority to pursue all extremists including Sunni insurgents and Shiite militias. Iraqi and coalition forces have been given authorities to go after insurgents and militias, but there remains a negative political influence at a variety of levels with evidence of sectarian behavior. Thus, while there has been progress, it has been too uneven to warrant a satisfactory judgment at this time. MNF-I and the Embassy continue to monitor developments for evidence on the transparency of security decision-making and the degree of political or sectarian influence on security operations. We have observed a mix of positive and negative examples of civil-military relations with the current surge in operations, due largely to increased overwatch and partnering relations. While progress toward this benchmark at this time is unsatisfactory, and the resultant effect has been negative in terms of overall perceptions of performance, this does not necessitate a revision to our current plan and strategy, under which we continue to improve Iraqi command and control capabilities, and expand our embedding and partnership with Iraqi units.

(xi) Ensuring that Iraqi Security Forces are providing even-handed enforcement of the law.

Assessment: The Government of Iraq has not at this time made satisfactory progress in ensuring that Iraqi Security Forces are providing even-handed enforcement of the law; however, there has been significant progress in achieving increased even-handedness through the use of coalition partnering and embedded-transition teams with Iraqi Security Force units. The presence of Coalition Forces in JSSs and Combat Outposts (COPs) has had a positive effect on ensuring a more even-handed approach, and Iraqi officials continue to communicate the importance that all terrorist organizations be targeted, regardless of their affiliation or ethnic background. ISF performance has generally been adequate, particularly when partnered with Coalition Forces. Because we are holding the ISF to a high standard, however, the overall judgment at this time remains unsatisfactory. This does not necessitate a revision to our current plan and strategy, under which we continue to press the Government of Iraq on these issues, improve command and control capabilities, and expand our embedding and partnership with Iraqi units.

(xii) Ensuring that, as Prime Minister Maliki was quoted by President Bush as saying, "the Baghdad Security Plan will not provide a safe haven for any outlaws, regardless of [their] sectarian or political affiliation."

Assessment: The Government of Iraq has made satisfactory progress in ensuring the Baghdad Security Plan does not provide a safe haven for any outlaws, regardless of their sectarian or political affiliations. United States commanders report overall satisfaction with their ability to target any and all extremist groups. United States diplomatic and military personnel continue to engage the Iraqi Government at the highest levels to stress the importance of aggressively targeting all violent groups, regardless of sect or affiliation. Tribal elements in Diyala, Ninewa, and Salah ad Din are seeking support for tribal initiatives similar to those that have shown success in al-Anbar against AQI. Cache-finds averaging over three times last year's levels result from civilians increasingly providing intelligence leading to these discoveries, indicating an erosion of insurgent safe havens. The Government of Iraq has supported operations by Iraqi and Coalition Security forces targeting extremists across Iraq, including in Sadr City and the outer belts of Baghdad. Coalition Forces operate in these areas almost every night, though there remains one individual that Prime Minister Maliki has made the decision to delay targeting. The progress toward this benchmark has been satisfactory, and the effect is that the Coalition and the ISF are able to continue clearing and securing areas in and around Baghdad from which the enemy had been operating.

(xiii) Reducing the level of sectarian violence in Iraq and eliminating militia control of local security.

Assessment: The Government of Iraq -- with substantial Coalition assistance -- has made satisfactory progress toward reducing sectarian violence but has shown unsatisfactory progress towards eliminating militia control of local security. Furthermore, though sectarian violence has been reduced, it is not yet reduced to a level the Coalition judges acceptable. The effect of unsatisfactory progress toward eliminating militia control of local security has been negative in terms of perceptions of the authority and fairness of the Government of Iraq. However, this does not necessitate a revision to our current plan and strategy, under which we continue to press the Government of Iraq on these issues and are conducting aggressive operations with Iraqi forces to uproot the command and control of the most violent and destabilizing militia elements in Iraq.

(xiv) Establishing all of the planned joint security stations in neighborhoods across Baghdad.

Assessment: The Government of Iraq -- with substantial Coalition assistance -- has made satisfactory progress toward establishing the planned JSSs in Baghdad. As of June 16, Multinational Division-Baghdad reports 32 JSSs have achieved initial operational capability and 36 COPs have achieved initial or full operational capability. This benchmark is on track for completion at the required time. The progress toward this benchmark has been satisfactory, and the effects are increased control and security in the areas where these JSSs have been established.

(xv) Increasing the number of Iraqi security forces units capable of operating independently.

Assessment: The Iraqi Government has made unsatisfactory progress toward increasing the number of Iraqi Security Forces units capable of operating independently. Development of ISF capabilities continues to grow while the ISF increases operational tempo for Operation Fardh al-Qanun. Readiness assessments for the National Police continue to show slow but steady improvement, but we continue to have concerns about the sectarian leaning of some national police units. The effect is that the presence of Coalition partners and support remains necessary for ISF operations. This does not necessitate a revision to the current plan and strategy, however, because the plan and strategy emphasize the importance of embedded trainers and the partnering of Iraqi and Coalition units. ISF performance has generally been adequate, particularly when units are partnered with Coalition Forces.

(xvi) Ensuring that the rights of minority political parties in the Iraqi legislature are protected.

Assessment: The Government of Iraq has made satisfactory progress toward ensuring that the rights of minority political parties in the Iraqi legislature are protected. Minority political parties in the COR participate in COR activities in a manner consistent with minority parties in other parliamentary democracies. Women COR members work closely with each other, often across party lines. We anticipate a continued role for minorities and women in the parliament.

(xvii) Allocating and spending $10 billion in Iraqi revenues for reconstruction projects, including delivery of essential services, on an equitable basis.

Assessment: The Iraqi Government is making satisfactory progress in allocating funds to ministries and provinces, but even if the full $10 billion capital budget is allocated, spending units will not be able to spend all these funds by the end of 2007. Execution of the complete 2007 capital budget is a very aggressive target for the Government of Iraq, which expects significant increases in 2007 spending following major initiatives to improve its budget execution processes. Although the trend to date is positive, sustaining progress through September to meet this benchmark at year-end requires accelerated spending and procurement activity, which are challenging tasks in the face of capacity constraints and security problems.

(xviii) Ensuring that Iraq's political authorities are not undermining or making false accusations against members of the ISF.

Assessment: The Government of Iraq has made unsatisfactory progress in ensuring that Iraq's political authorities are not undermining or making false accusations against members of the ISF. Accusations that undermine the independence and non-sectarianism of the ISF occur and are not adequately addressed by the Government of Iraq. The effect is at times to deny the ISF the services of qualified officers or to discourage them from operating in a professional non-sectarian manner. However, this does not necessitate a revision to the current plan and strategy, under which we continue to monitor the situation by means of our close involvement with the ISF and to press Iraqi political leaders to refrain from this behavior.

USMC 9971 OUT

The Cost Of Cut-And-Run

Retired Lt. Col. Ralph Peters has a scathing op-ed in the NY Post today (h/t Bill Bennett). Here is an excerpt.

EVEN as our troops make serious progress against al-Qaeda-in-Iraq and other extremists, Congress - including Republican members - is sending the terrorists a message: "Don't lose heart, we'll save you!" [...]

Al-Qaeda-in-Iraq is suffering a humiliating defeat, as fellow Sunni Muslims turn against the fanatics and help them find the martyrdom they advertise. Yet for purely political reasons - next year's elections - cowards on Capitol Hill are spurning the courage of our troops on the ground. [...]

I hate the long-mismanaged mess in Iraq. I wish there were a sensible, decent way to get out that wouldn't undercut our security and produce massive innocent casualties. But there isn't. Not now. And, like it or not, we have a moral responsibility as well as practical interests in refusing to surrender to the butchers in Iraq.

This has been the Bush-Cheney War. But it will only be fair to call the carnage after we run away the "Reid-Pelosi Massacres."

You need to read the whole thing. When you've done that, you may want to contact your senators and representative and tell them that a cut-and-run strategy will not improve our security or reduce the killing.

Let our Troops finish the job.

USMC 9971 OUT

Terrorists Claim To Have Killed Remaining Two U.S. Soldiers

I hope that the accounts coming out today aren't true, but the terrorists who claim to have captured three U.S. Soldiers last month are now saying that they have killed the remaining two Soldiers.

The MNF-I Website has this up today.

Today a video was released by a terrorist group which allegedly shows the military identification cards of two US Soldiers unaccounted for since May 12, 2007, when their patrol was attacked by enemy forces.

"Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families of our missing," said Brig. Gen. Kevin Bergner, Multi-National Force-Iraq spokesman. "We condemn the tactics used by these terrorists, and are using all means available to pursue those responsible."

"We are further analyzing the video, however it doesn't appear to contain any definitive evidence indicating the status of our missing Soldiers. We continue to search and hope that our two missing Soldiers will be found alive and in good health.

"Coalition and Iraqi forces have actively searched for the missing Soldiers since their disappearance, and we will continue to do everything to locate them," said Bergner.

FOX News has the AP story which includes the terror group's allegations that they have killed the two Soldiers.

Continue to keep these Soldiers and their families in your prayers.

USMC 9971 OUT

MSM Reports On A Surge Success

Holy buckets! Are they starting to hear us, or did some editor forget to find a way to spin the story for the terrorists? Either way, I was floored upon seeing this today.

U.S. forces raided an al-Qaida hide-out northeast of Baghdad on Sunday and freed 42 Iraqis imprisoned inside, including some who had been tortured and suffered broken bones, a senior U.S. military official said Sunday.

The raid was part of a 3-month-old security crackdown that included the deployment of 3,000 more U.S. troops to Diyala, a violent province north of the capital that has seen heavy fighting in recent weeks, said Maj. Gen. William Caldwell, the top U.S. military spokesman in Iraq.

Caldwell said Iraqis told U.S. forces about the hide-out: "The people in Diyala are speaking up against al-Qaida."

He said the 42 freed Iraqis marked the largest number of captives ever found in a single al-Qaida prison. Some of those freed were held for as long as four months and some had injuries from torture and were taken to medical facilities for treatment, he said.

Granted, you hear the usual bad news if you read further on into the article, and accompanying stories talk about another "grim milestone" as Memorial Day approaches. The negative pieces still outweigh the positive. That said, the title of the above piece and its opening four paragraphs are a refreshing change of pace.

Our troop are doing good work and helping the Iraqi people every day. Keep the MSM's feet to the fire. The good news needs to keep getting out.

USMC 9971 OUT

Good News From Iraq: Yesterday's Successes Yield More Today

Based on intelligence from yesterday's raids that liberated four Iraqi men and an Iraqi boy from their terrorist captors, Coalition Forces raided two buildings northeast of Karmah this morning, and freed twelve Iraqi civilians who were being held by terrorists.

Nine terrorists were killed in the operation, three suspected terrorists were taken into custody, and Coalition Forces found two rocket-propelled grenades, a sub-machine gun, rifles, nineteen assault vests, and stolen goods during a sweep of both buildings.

In other raids, Coalition Forces captured fifteen al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorists. Some of those terrorists were discovered due to information from successful raids on 21 May 2007.

Twelve Iraqis are no longer the hostages of terrorists, weapons that were once in the possession of the terrorists are no more, and fifteen terrorists associated with al-Qaeda in Iraq are being held by the Coalition. Much of that is from intelligence that our forces gathered in successful raids yesterday.

Remember that, while you may not hear about it in the mainstream media, our troops are making progress in Iraq.

USMC 9971 OUT

Good News From Iraq: Successes

There have been many successes by Iraqi and Coalition Forces recently, but I don't know that many (if any) of them are being presented to the American public. Here is a short list of some of the wins for the good-guys in Iraq over the past week-and-a-half or so.

VBIEDs
At least four VBIEDs (vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices) have been contained by Iraqi or Coalition Forces since 09 May 2007, all with no civilian or military casualties. My last post covered another VBIED that was caught on 04 May 2007 before it could be used by the terrorists to murder more people.

On 09 May 2007, Coalition Forces discovered two vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) based upon tips from Iraqi civilians. In the first incident, the vehicle exploded while U.S. members of Multi-National Detachment - Baghdad (MND-B) were enroute to investigate. In the second incident, MND-B and Iraqi forces secured the area around the VBIED, and then an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team destroyed the vehicle. No civilians or military personnel were injured in either incident.

On 12 May 2007, Coalition Forces discovered and destroyed a VBIED in the Sadr City neighborhood of Baghdad. In addition, three suspected terrorists were detained, and IED-making materials were seized. At least two of the three individuals who were detained are suspected of having ties to a secret cell network in the area known for facilitating the transport of weapons and EFPs from Iran to Iraq, as well as bringing militants from Iraq to Iran for terrorist training.

On 16 May 2007, Iraqi Army forces discovered a VBIED based upon tips from Iraqi civilians. The area was secured, and Iraqi EOD diffused the explosives in the vehicle.

Hostages And Torture Houses
I've covered this before (here, here, and here), but it is always worth covering new successes in this category. Iraqi and Coalition Forces have shut down several hide-outs that have been used by the terrorists to hold, and often times torture, hostages. For some reason, the MSM doesn't see fit to show the grateful hostages who have been freed by Coalition Forces, or to document the horrific treatment that those hostages were subjected to while being held by the terrorists.

One such torture house was discovered on 16 May 2007. Why this hasn't been headline news, I will never know.

The troops revisited the site in hopes of another discovery and found some human skeletal remains in the yard outside of the house. Inside the house, the Soldiers found other disturbing signs as they continued their search.

An upstairs room had the tools and layout of an interrogation room. Two metal mattress springs were laid against the wall near bare electrical wires, a table with odd markings from fire and chemical burns and triangle racks were hung from the ceiling. This evidence, and knowledge of the area's history of extrajudicial killings, led the patrol leader, 1st Lt. Patrick Henson, of Orlando, Florida, and his Soldiers to conclude that the house had been used for illegal detentions, and possibly for the abuse or interrogation of kidnapped victims.

Today, Coalition Forces freed four Iraqi men and one Iraqi boy who were kidnapped and tortured by terrorists. These terrorists weren't some "Iraqi freedom-fighters" who were involved in any civil war, either. MNF-I spokesperson Lt. Col. Christopher Garver described the find by saying, "The brutality and viciousness of these acts demonstrate the complete disregard terrorists have for human life. We will continue to hunt foreign fighters who bring this violence into Iraq." Again, not front-page news for the MSM.

Other Successes
There are plenty of other successes detailed at the MNF-Iraq Website. I would highly suggest checking out the press releases there to get a better idea of everything that is happening in Iraq. Here are ten more examples from yesterday and today.

3 SUSPECTED AL-QAEDA CELL LEADERS, 9 OTHERS DETAINED
Iraqi Army Forces detain 16 suspected Al Qaeda terrorists near Samarra
MND-B Soldiers find sizeable cache, detain one suspect near Al Hamdanyia
Soldiers kill insurgent and seize deadly weapon
Paratroopers find seven IEDs
8 TERRORISTS KILLED, 34 DETAINED IN OVERNIGHT RAIDS
Coalition and Iraqi Forces knock enemy off balance during Operation Harris Ba'sil
Terrorist safe house destroyed in southern Baghdad
MND-B Soldiers discover insurgent mortar team, killing one
Iraqi Forces detain alleged leader of terrorist group in Salah Din Province

Remember, our troops are doing great work for both America and the people of Iraq. Let's not pull the rug out from under them before the mission is accomplished.

USMC 9971 OUT