Big changes in Iraq

About a year or so ago the situation in Iraq was dangerously close to civil war. Then came the “surge” which focused on placing more troops in the middle of major population centers to help curb the violence. That strategy appears to have worked. Now, we learn that we are reversing direction and pulling troops away from cities, and concentrating them at large bases away from population centers, with a target of having the moves completed by June 2009. At that time, and perhaps earlier, we’ll see just how prepared the Iraqi government is to defend itself. In my view, it’s time we make this move. They have to eventually stand on their own; and if they have problems, we’ll still have troops nearby to help.