Based on a report today in the national media, military oriented newspaper publications such as Army, Navy and Air Force Times have written an editorial to run in the November 6th edition, that is very critical of the way things are going in Iraq. Here's an excerpt from the editorial:
"…despite the best efforts of American trainers, the problem of molding a viciously sectarian population into anything resembling a force for national unity has become a losing proposition. For two years, American sergeants, captains and majors training the Iraqis have told their bosses that Iraqi troops have no sense of national identity, are only in it for the money, don't show up for duty and cannot sustain themselves."
In the past, Army Times has not always been supportive of actions within the service, and it appears as if we are now seeing another example of that trend. One thing is for sure, there will be people from both sides of the issue who will have strong opinions.
From where I sit, it's hard to take a position either way, because I'm not a personal part of the action on the ground. Still, I suspect there is probably at least some aspect of truth to the main conclusions in the Army Times editorial. You have to have your head tucked totally in the sand to not understand the challenges in Iraq we now face are much different from what most thought they would be when we began the operation in 2003. It's not that the troops on the ground haven't done a superb job…they most certainly have, and will continue to do so. The main issue as I see it rests with the Iraqi people themselves.
