Iraq takes significant steps toward sovreignty

[Elduardo]

You'd think this would be a major story but I had to dig to find an AP article on it.



The U.S. formally transferred control of the Green Zone to Iraqi authorities Thursday in a pair of ceremonies that also handed back Saddam Hussein's former palace. Iraq's prime minister said he will propose making Jan. 1 a holiday marking the restoration of sovereignty.

Under the new security agreement between Washington and Baghdad to replace a U.N. mandate for foreign troops in Iraq, the Iraqi government also now has control of American troops' actions and of the country's airspace.


Also, 2008 US deaths decreased by 66% over 2007.

Regardless of the problems from the previous 6 years, this is huge progress.

Regardless of ideology, not sure how anyone could not be pleased with these developments.

[RIP]

Seems promising. The story made the rounds yesterday.

Meanwhile Afghanistan is racking up the death toll.

[Elduardo]

So now we move from criticizing the Iraq war to criticizing the Afghan war?

Problems in Afghanistan are entirely different.

[RIP]

No criticism was made Elder. I simply thought it was worth pointing out as our policy and tactics seem to be switching gears. Afghanistan has been lost in this discussion until Obama made it part of the discussion during the election.

[Elduardo]

I'm not interested in a Bush/Obama debate but I do disagree with your point of view.

The US has tried various tactics in Afghanistan such as working with NATO, Pakistan, and using it's own military, supporting the Afghan government, etc.

The problems are many. NATO is largely unwilling to fight in Afghanistan and has not been much assistance. The Pakistan government faces strong challenges in controlling their border with Afghanistan, not the least of which is that they have never had any control of those border regions in history.

General Petraeus now commands CENTCOM and an improved Afghan strategy is in the works.

I don't think you can accurately judge the priorities of the US government by what is reported in the media.

[RIP]

Not looking for an argument here. The US death toll was higher in Afghanistan than in years past. Politics and strategy aside, it's important to note that while turning the green Zone over to Iraq is encouraging, our troops are still paying a heavy price. In Afghansitan, the price is becoming more great.

[Elduardo]

Understood, just that one really has nothing to do with the other.