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Is U.S. now winning war in Iraq?

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GeeBee | 12:43 a.m. July 27, 2008

Winning in a venture we never should have entered into in the first place does not equal a justification for entering into it.

Mel's Wife | 12:50 a.m. July 27, 2008

Obama will take office, take credit, and Bush will be remembered as a bad president.

from Houston | 1:00 a.m. July 27, 2008

Awesome, awesome, awesome. I'm glad that the iraqi people finally stepped up their responsibility to democracy and freedom by cooperating with the US troops. Gen. Petreaus, you are the man. I'd love to vote for you instead of the two clowns that we have as candidates. You seem to grasp the reality that real problems need real answers and that fixing problems takes a concerted, concentrated effort by ALL!

To the next president: Please don't withdraw too early (to please the American public who want a quick fix) and destroy this fragile peace that so many have sacrificed for (Iraqis and Americans). BUT stay only as long as necessary. Let the Iraqis take control as soon as they can.

To the troops: thank you! thank you, thank you. Great job, come home safe. You are the real heroes here.

Comments continue below

Proud of America... | 1:01 a.m. July 27, 2008

At this point I want to proudly proclaim that not only have I always been proud to be an American, but that I have stood by and believed in the actions that our president has taken. Whatever mistakes that have been made are now in the past. We have somehow gone into an extremely violent country and in the matter of over 5 years, achieved something with one of the fewest amount of casualties ever produced in a war.

I know that other bloggers will attack my view and my opinion but I love that America takes pride in helping other nations to keep the peace that they often can't obtain. Had we done what so many liberals have always wanted to do, Saddam would probably still be alive and Iraqis in general would still be living in fear.

I have always tried to do what I can for those in need, and I embrace the fact that my country has done the same thing, no matter how unpopular it was to achieve.

John | 1:27 a.m. July 27, 2008

First - to call what is happening in Iraq a "war" is being disingenuous. Second - there are many experts and good reason to expect that violence was going to subside with -- or without US troops in the country. By the time the "surge" started the country had already been largely ethnically separated and cleansed, coupled with the payments by US taxpayers to local strongmen (no different than payment of bribes and protection money), as well as cease fires that were called by some local militias etc. make this a very complex situation that honest observers can not label with the simplistic brush strokes the story evokes. The "surge" may or may not have actually had any effect on this massive country with millions of people. It was more likely the case of a few dozen more firefighters showing up a million acre forest fire after a day or two of rain and claiming it was the added dozen fire fighters who actually put the fire out. The combination of facts on the ground indicate it was more likely the "rain" that put the fire out than the dozen additional fire fighters.

Dick of the NW | 1:37 a.m. July 27, 2008

Stay the course. Listen to the generals on site. Listen to most of the soldiers coming back. THANK YOU TO THE FAMILIES who have had to lay their sons and daughters on the alter of freedom for us all. Words are not enough. Where are those who said it could not happen like BHO. It could have been a diaster but it is improving from the edge of the abyss. Now let's elect dem lite ( Mc Cain ) instead of dem left ( BHO ). What will he say now? He took his position and he was wrong like so many other positions he has taken. Enough said. Thank you for the USA and may God Bless America.

Anonymous | 1:42 a.m. July 27, 2008

While every American citizen can only welcome peace as good news I can't help but remember, "Mission Accomplished!"

Bring our Troops home please.

Good news, but... | 2:13 a.m. July 27, 2008

It's great to see the tide finally turning in Iraq. It's great to know that our troops, along with the Iraqis are much safer now. It's great to know troop morale is going up and that the focus is turning more and more from Iraq to Afghanistan. (Where it should have always been)

The only problem is, why didn't we have a surge back in 2004 or 2005? Why did we spin our wheels for four years?

Suppose we had a surge in 2005. Iraq might be an even better place now, and we might have Osama Bin Laden in our hands as well.

Of course, we'll never know, but it's an interesting thought.

RE: John | 2:22 a.m. July 27, 2008

John, when there has been seven years of constant fighting, and then, at within weeks of adding more than 20,000 troops, things calm down, you can't just blow it off as inevitable. Give credit where credit is due. The generals who went in were idiots. Petraus (or however you spell his name) had some good ideas that made a dramatic, and immediate impact. It's about time! Hopefully it will last...

Virginia | 2:53 a.m. July 27, 2008

To GeeBee, John and anonymous, I feel sorry that you hate Bush so much that you can find nothing but pessimism and negatives in an article that everyone should find hopeful and promising. You guys are DEFINITELY Obama folks. Enjoy your miserable existence.

URITAATA | 4:13 a.m. July 27, 2008

Almost true except for what the future holds and who is the winner is.
The winner is IRAN. They are not controlling the future of IRAK. They control the goverment and the main militias.
Those that had most to loose (the SUNNIS) found an opportunity to get stronger. They decided to change strategy. The cooperated with the US in exchange for MONEY, GUNS and warfare TRAINING!
AL SADR who wowed to be the true nationalistic IRAKI
(never went to IRAN, never flew away from the country) also changed strategy because he risks a serious beating by pro Iranien militias supported by pro Iranian goverment who want to get rid of him as a rival.
For both Sunny and Maddy army it is time to regroup. By ceasing insurgency, they will reduce volence and therefore hasten the return of the US troup. And when America will be out, they will be between themselves...

Life is different in Bagdad, Shias leave with Shias, Sunny with Sunnys-- thanks to ethnic cleasing and walls of shame. Christians are persecuted. Millions of Irakis have left the country as refugees, Women have lost their rights and the Islamic law is spreading accross the country.

From Iraq | 4:18 a.m. July 27, 2008

As a soldier in Iraq right now, I can tell you that what I read daily in the news is still a lot different than the story here. We were succeeding 2 years ago when I was here last, and we are succeeding now as I see upon my return. I wish you could see and talk to the locals on the street. And to GeeBee, why don't you find an Iraqi in SLC and ask them if it was a mistake to invade. Unless you have spoken to an Iraqi, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT!

buck wild | 4:39 a.m. July 27, 2008

mmmm.... can you leftists please get over the "Bush lied" propaganda? Once the fight starts you don't start debate the reasons why it started... you punch someone in the mouth.
This is one battle in the war on terror .. now if we can win the battle against the enemies within then we're good to go....

Bob G | 4:50 a.m. July 27, 2008

Does anyone really believe this crap? The terrorist have done what the US should have done a few years ago, they have backed off to regroup, resupply, and reestablish themselves in anothter counrty. As long as the american people pump billions of dollars in to the IRAQ economy they will be our friends. But stop the money and we are back to what was there before, mini wars and feuds and the destruction of what we have rebuilt. And they still won't like us. The islamic religion and democracy do not mix and like any nation as long as we americans are willing to part with our money they will gladly accept it. The terrorist haven't been defeated, they have just relocated to renew their fanatical religious war. Even our money going to IRAQ may be ending up in the hands of these zealouts. And our armies will just follow them to the new countries like Pakistan and Afganistan as we chase them around the world. They may even already have camps established in Mexico where it is very easy to infiltrate in to the U.S.. Religion is more powerful than any government, even our own.

dank | 4:51 a.m. July 27, 2008

Seriously? To all you lames who support this madness, get real!!!!

Reality Check | 5:41 a.m. July 27, 2008

Dear Proud of America, so am I. So many have made a popular statement that if you don't support the effort in Iraq then you are not patriotic. Nothing could be further from the truth. I'm tired of those who say you have to support this war or you're not patriotic. Being patriotic doesn't mean you don't raise your voice if you don't agree with what is taking place. Disagreeing with such a foolish war doesn't mean you don't support or appreciate the troops either. Remember our founding fathers voices were ones of disagreement in their days. As for helping other nations, if that is the point you want to make, what are we doing for the people of North Korea, or the famine ravished in Africa? Winning a war that was based on so many foolish assumptions isn't a victory. The loss of life, cost of treasure and diminished world standing will never be a victory. We still do not know what will happen when we leave...the bad guys just might be biding their time.

Overly Simplistic | 5:47 a.m. July 27, 2008

Were the writers bumping up against a deadline? This story is overly simplistic, much like 'mission accomplished.' Even General Petreus said that this war cannot be won militarily. Everyone is happy there is more peace and stability there. But the writers and those who have posted comments assume we are now in a mopping up stage. This thing will continue to face a messy resolution, untold billions have yet to be spent, more lives will be lost, the real enemy is massing elsewhere, and there is still no real evidence that Iraq can govern itself. We can speculate all we want but they have not demonstrated an independent ability to go it alone. I want to be positive also, and love my country, but get real, this thing is far from over.

Perilous peace? | 5:52 a.m. July 27, 2008

The begining of a perilous peace and bloggers are exulting that the war is over? My question is 'when are the profits from this oil rich country going to be used to rebuild their own country so that our tax dollars can go towards fixing American infrastructure?

Reply to Proud | 6:00 a.m. July 27, 2008

'stood by and believed in the actions our president has taken!?!?!'

Let's see. He blew past diplomacy, got the nation into an immediate frenzy about WMD, blew off the United Nations, alienated our allies, failed to certify the accuracy of intelligence, agreed to let the Iraqi army stand down, failed to accurately determine the cost/length of war, spent untold billions that could have been used fighting the real enemies of our nation, violated the rights of citizens of this nation, failed to see the seriousness of the Katrina debacle, showed no leadership on global warming, can't seem to help the economy. This is something to be proud of? I can hardly wait for the next election!

Jett | 6:29 a.m. July 27, 2008

It's disingenuous of the left to snark about "Mission Accomplished."
When Bush went over and pronounced that it was to proclaim the end of major hostilities and toppling Saddam's government. To that end it WAS "Mission Accomplished."

Jett | 6:28 a.m. July 27, 2008

Secondly, I find those those who continually moan and gripe about whether or not we should have done over the first place frankly monstrous.
This administration toppled a nutbar who tortured (no...*really* tortured) for sport...had killed hundreds of thousands of his OWN people...had state sanctioned rape rooms, who was looking to develop WMDs (please recall the recent news reports of several TONS of yellowcake uranium that just got moved from Iraq to CANADA) stood in defiance of several UN resolutions and had skimmed BILLIONS from the oil for food program...effectively starving his own people so he could live in a gold plated palace.

Jett | 6:28 a.m. July 27, 2008

And what did we replace it with? A working democracy...so precious to the Iraqis...both men AND women (remember those lovely, lovely stained fingers?) that they literally risked life and limb to go vote.

Yes, it's been a difficult slog, yes there have been heartrending stories of sacrifice, loss and death...but our soldiers have done so with the least amount of casualties in any US war...especially considering the length of time they've been there.

And to summarily pull out wouldn't just completely undo this fragile peace and democracy...there would be a genocidal bloodbath that would make PolPot look like a piker...and all that blood would be on the hands of so called "lovers of peace."

Grow up.

Craig | 6:41 a.m. July 27, 2008

We are winning the struggle for representative government in Iraq and have been the whole time. The few set backs we have had come with the territory in armed conflict but there was never any time when the ultimate outcome of a coalition victory was in doubt.
We have lost no ships, no jet air craft, a hand full of choppers and less men in five years than we have lost in five days of some of our past wars.
For anyone to try and spin our efforts in Iraq as being anything less than a slow steady march to victory only shows the ignorance and feeble mindedness of the fool making the charge.
NEVER BET AGAINST THE USA MILITARY.

Waterfallhiker | 6:52 a.m. July 27, 2008

What "occasional bursts of violence"? According to the website Iraq Body Count, 254 Iraquis a week are being killed this July. That's good news compared to the 408 a week reported in July 2007, but hardly constitues "winning" a war against violence. The people quoted in this propaganda piece continue to live in their dream world.

joe Schmoe | 7:01 a.m. July 27, 2008

Think we will see this story on the leftist media reports?

NO WAY!

Just go look at cnn. I bet they'll have some other doom and gloom story as their headline.

RI Reader | 7:02 a.m. July 27, 2008

OK. So we are "winning" in Iraq.

But that does NOT cover over the fact we had no business going there to begin with!

Osama Bin Laden attacked America and killed Americans on American soil - not Saddam Hussein! Osama was and is THE threat - Saddam NEVER was a threat. But George Bush wanted a war with Saddam. He got it by forcing intelligence to be what he wanted it to be (yes - he lied!).

There is still a very strong need to negate terrorism in the world, and we STILL need to bring the REAL criminal of 9/11 to justice!

Paint Iraq any rosy color you want: it was a war that did NOT need to be fought until Osama Bin Laden had been captured and held accountable for his crimes. " Winning" (whatever that means) in Iraq is shallow and meaningless.

On to the real fight: bring Osama Bin Laden to justice - THEN we "crying" liberals will believe good has been done!

Cougar Blue | 7:12 a.m. July 27, 2008

Bush has already nailed down the title of "worst president". And it sickens me to see the posts on here trying to justify that which is unjustifiable. Secondly, nobody has ever defined for us what "winning" is. With a half dozen reasons for entering the war, all debunked, I guess one much search somewhere in the deep dark for an excuse.

Anonymous | 7:19 a.m. July 27, 2008

I'm sick of lying conservatives, acting like patriots when they refuse to pay. Don't tell us you support the troops when you don't sacrifice by paying for the wars they are fighting in. The correct term is :sunshine patriot. You take the blessing of this nation while you give nothing back. A leach and a patriot are not the same.

Himself | 7:33 a.m. July 27, 2008

If this endeavor was a success there would be 2 comments, not the 23 so far. Failure gets attention.

So What! | 7:46 a.m. July 27, 2008

We are Winning a war we should have never been in.
GWB is not a smart man.

Thank You | 7:49 a.m. July 27, 2008

Thank you "From Iraq," "Jett" and "Craig" for your positive comments. This headline was probably one of the most horrifying news stories all year for Rocky, Obama, Reverend Williams, Jane Fonda and the rest of the "Hate America First" crowd. Sure, they have their freedom of speech, but you'd think they'd have the wisdom and decency to confine their defeatist rants to letters to their Congressmen or their email lists rather than put them on the web to provide aide, comfort and encouragement to enemy terrorists.

War in Iraq was never being lost | 8:01 a.m. July 27, 2008

The idea that the US was losing the war in Iraq was a political ploy by the Democratic leadership to regain Congress in 2006. Never at any time was the war in jeopardy, other than the US's determination to continue (which again the lack of determination laid solely at the feet of the Democratic leadership). Yes, there were little factions of dissent that fought and continue to fight in guerilla type activities, but these were always and continue to be routed out. They may be successful in random acts of violence, but the US military has always been able to quell them when the pop up and now that the Iraqi government and military and maturing and taking on more responsibility the end is starting to become visible. Basically get off you political propaganda and media fueled bias that the war in Iraq was ever in legitimate jeopardy, because that is simple false. We would have only lost if Barack Obama and the Dems would have had their way and pulled out without finishing the job.

Ultra Bob | 8:03 a.m. July 27, 2008

When and if, the American military ever leaves Iraq, the Iraqi people will rise up and remove the corrupt greedy puppet set up by the United States. If we stay, the government of Iraq will be like the other governments arround the world where evil governments exit under the protection of the American military. Saudy Arabia is the prime example.

AP finally tells truth? | 8:16 a.m. July 27, 2008

Perhaps the headline should have been: AP Finally Files Accurate Report.

So, now that Obummer has visited Iraq and Afghanistan with the sychophantic press in tow and has seen first-hand the great work that our men and women in uniform have done, the AP is finally reporting something closer to what was true 2 years ago.

To the troops: THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

To AP: How about telling the truth a little more frequently (like, all the time).

Great Job | 8:18 a.m. July 27, 2008

Kudos to the U.S. Military! Being an Air Force Brat, I can tell you many stories of sacrifice, not only by the members themselves, but by the families in support of the military member.

Now, to you Bush Haters, get over it! Whether or not you feel that Bush did the correct thing, the military did, and that is to OBEY the orders that came from President Bush, and was upheld by CONGRESS. GET OVER IT!!!.

I would like to know what you Bush Haters have to say about the aftermath of Viet Nam, mainly the deaths of over 15 million people who were killed after the U.S. left?

meta | 8:18 a.m. July 27, 2008

Interesting article, likely written from the comfort and safety of the heavily guarded Green Zone. I suspect that such sentiments -- a second "Mission Accomplished" -- are more likely believable at a point where the Green Zone ceases to exist and the national government again takes up residency among the rank and file.

Rulon | 8:23 a.m. July 27, 2008

If peace is gained in Iraq and some what democratic government established with the support of the USA it will only be matter of time, perhaps a couple of generations at the most, before things resort back to more normal way of government for Iraq similar to their neigbors: Iran, Jordan, Syria, etc. and Iraq will be broken up into more normal tribal areas. In the meantime Iran is the winner. Isreal is the dog's tail wagging America.

Heidi | 8:41 a.m. July 27, 2008

My brother-in-law has been a soldier in Iraq several times. He has told me often that while it isn't a picnic over there, the good outweighs the bad. Let's face it - there isn't a country in the world that is completely at peace as long as people make bad choices. I think Bush made the choices he needed to with what information he had. No other President has had to face the amount of catastrophes that he has had to face during his tenure. He has made mistakes, but everyone makes them! No President has been perfect and no President ever will be. What I know is that the majority of the members of the military I know are grateful that they have had President Bush as their Commander in Chief. I trust the opinion of those who have been in Iraq more than I do the press. I'm grateful that America is still a country that will fight for other peoples' freedom, too.

CRAIG!!! | 8:57 a.m. July 27, 2008

We've lost no planes!? That's why this war is a good idea? Give me a break.

HOW MANY INNOCENT IRAQIS HAVE AMERICAN TROOPS SACRIFICED TO BUILD AMERICAN MILITARY BASES IN IRAQ?

About a million. Why? Why are we there?

Building a representative government my foot! Have you even read the constitution that WE WROTE for Iraq? Try it some day. Is it really a democracy if one nation holds another nation at gunpoint and dictates what the new laws are going to be?--and don't even think about trying to own a gun, cuz the marines are gonna take it away from you. After all, how can they enforce this new democracy if the Iraqis are able to resist it?

We're there to build more American military bases. If you think that's worth a million innocent lives, then more power to you. I want out.

Proud of what, exactly? | 9:00 a.m. July 27, 2008

How can you say that Iraqis FEEL SAFER now?

Would you feel safer if the Marines were patrolling your street and confiscating your guns?

Would you feel safe knowing that at any minute your house could be bombed by any number of rioting, desperate factions?

Would you feel better reading that the US military has been dropping thousands of 500 lb and 2000 lb bombs on weddings and other social gatherings slaughtering innocent families all in one fell swoop?

Would you sleep soundly at night? How can you now? How can you sleep knowing that you're defending such an abhorrence?

Clare | 9:29 a.m. July 27, 2008

This is FANTASTIC! I'm so proud of our military men and women who have worked so hard. We need to stay the course. We may need to keep a presence in that area for the long course, just as we do in Germany, South Korea, Japan, etc,... I would like to applaud President Bush. He may not be perfect, but he is a good moral man. Our country will be blessed when we choose just people to run our country. I know that this is not a popular view, but I try to look at the long time picture. Also, I would like to know how people can believe that one person, like President Bush, can control and be responsible for our economic woes? He doesn't control our spending habits, we do. His job is Commander and Chief, not Commander, Chief, and Economic Control Dude. He may suggest some things, but it is ultimately Congress who decides how our money is spent. Please spot blaming President Bush for things that are not in his power. I think he is a good man. I'm just worried about how our Constitution, the greatest in the world, is being eroded.

Hey Mel's Wife | 9:33 a.m. July 27, 2008

Bush IS a bad president...it has nothing to do with Obama. Winning the war? It's more like winning fat, NO-BID IDIQ war contracts for Cheney's Halliburton buddies.
What a ruse, running an article that says we're 'winning'. It's NEVER been about winning...it's about making sure billions of dollars of U.S. taxpayer money ends up lining the pockets of the current Bush administration and untold dozens of other dishonest corporate jerks. Like the Vietnam War, the Iraq War isn't about right or wrong...it's about the LOVE of money.

Instereo | 9:47 a.m. July 27, 2008

What would make me proud as an American is when Americans have universal health care. What embarrasses me is when we "win" a war that we shouldn't have fought in the first place and has cost every American Citizen at least $3500 in the direct costs of the war and much more in indirect cost (higher gas prices and who knows what else). I wonder how can people be so proud of a preemptive war. Where in the constitution does it talk about that. How can they be so proud of a victory over or in a third world country one third the size of Iran. How can they be proud of the cost to innocent people who happen to live in Iraq. To be proud to be an American, with a puffed up chest because of anything to do in Iraq is pretty shallow. To me, a proud American action is to actually live by the values we profess in our constitution.

taking a victory lap already... | 9:46 a.m. July 27, 2008

What a load of hot air. Sure violence is down, but we've empowered Iran, destroyed our image in the world and weakened our individual liberties. Sounds like a net loss to me.

JayCee | 10:02 a.m. July 27, 2008

As mentioned above it is really sad that our political system has chosen the two major candidates that they have when there are so many better qualified to lead this nation..... But the bottom line on Iraq is this; Do we want to fight the terrorists in the Middle East or in the United States.

D'uh | 10:09 a.m. July 27, 2008

Ah, hello. This is old news. The surge ROCKED.

Thanks to the men and women in uniform for your sacrifice.

Uh Oh! | 10:09 a.m. July 27, 2008

Read each of these posts.

Whomever, is elected in November will continue to be castigated and scorned by the opposition. That's the way it has always been, you say?

Heaven Help Us All!

Here's a Thought | 10:16 a.m. July 27, 2008

This war is about bringing Democracy to Iraq.

The only problem is Democracy does not equate to freedom. It is very possible for a communist government to be voted into power.

Maybe the old America, a Republic with unalienable rights, is a better form of government. Unalienable rights, meaning not even a majority vote can take that right from you. You know, things like freedom of speech, and the right to move transport yourself around.

Capt. USMC | 10:25 a.m. July 27, 2008

I don't recall ever hearing anything from Bush, or anybody within his Administration, ever admitting we were losing the war in Iraq. They've been saying, we won...then we're winning...followed by the surge is working...and now, all of a sudden, the U.S. is "NOW" winning the war.

It intrigues me to hear all those people who have never left THIS country, criticize the AP about not reporting the truth about what is occurring over there in THAT country. How would they know?

It intrigues me to hear all those "patriotic" people who believe we're doing the right thing bringing freedom to Iraq, but have never served in the armed forces, nor do they ever intend to. Why not? Don't [you] all want to do the right thing?

While I was stationed over there in the Middle East, all we did was run in place. When I returned, I was fascinated by all the stories of what was going on over there BY PEOPLE SITTING OVER HERE! Suckers!

To "war" supporters | 10:29 a.m. July 27, 2008

If you truly believe in our lying lame duck leader, pick up a rifle and go to Iraq to show your support. 911 was a let it happen event, a new Pearl Harbor. History repeated itself. But, how much of it is true and how much of it is false, we will never know. It was used as an excuse for the current lame duck to invade Iraq. Except he wasn't smart enough to blame Iraqi's as the "terrorists". Why didn't we invade Saudi Arabia? Afterall, the alledged highjackers were supposed to be Saudi's. Oh yeah, Dubya is to busy kissing and holding hands with the King. Could it be that the Saudi's wanted Saddam eliminated and used their puppet Dubya? Things that make you go HMMMMMMMM.

We lost this so called war when we dumped the word "CONQUOR" and replaced it with "LIBERATE".

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Karim Kadim, Associated Press

Iraqis drink tea and play dominoes on a side street in Baghdad. Parks in the capital are filled every weekend with families playing and picnicking with their children. That was unthinkable a year ago.