There was an Op-Ed in Monday’s (7/30) New York Times that has caused a commotion. It is written by Michael R O’Hanlon and Kenneth M. Pollack, who are both associated with the Brookings Institution, an independent research and policy institute. In the past, these two gentlemen have made several trips to Iraq and have come back criticizing the Bush administration. During these trips, they would notice extremely low morale amongst most of the U.S. troops and very few Iraqi units that could handle the situation. However, they have just come back after an eight day tour throughout Iraq and they have noticed many positive changes. They want the American public to realize that “we are finally getting somewhere in Iraq, at least in military terms”.

To read the entire article, go to http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/30/op...=1&oref=slogin

I can't access the article (user registration required), but I can tell you that military success is increasing, but it's mainly due to non-kinetic and political reasons. Our 'presence' has made a huge difference in the streets, and the Iraqi military has made leaps and bounds (compared to the last 3 years) in 2007. The other big improvements are coming from the local populations, tribes, and sects deciding that al-Qaeda and foreign fighters are a greater threat to Iraq, their families, and Islam than any American fighting force.

The old insurgent groups are changing targets versus going away. And we are ready and willing to support them do that whenever possible. The 'news' that the surge had pushed violence outside of Baghdad is completely unfounded. Aside from the tragic attack near the Syrian border which left 400+ dead, there has not been a dramatic increase of violence in Iraq anywhere. All over the country groups are turning against AQI, have stopped targeting the Coalition & civilians, and have decided that the future of Iraq is in peace, not fighting. It isn't about nationalism or pride, but security. The insurgency is made up of normal Iraqis with homes and families, and they are now understanding the fact that the coalition and Iraqi govt. are here to help...at least moreso than al-Qaeda.

The insurgent groups are also starting to get back to the peace that used to exist between Shi'a, Sunni, Kurd, and Christian in this country. You won't hear it in the media, but all 4 groups in Iraq marry one another, live with one another, and shop/eat amongst one another. It was only recently that 'sectarian' violence has become popular, and mostly due to AQI lying and tricking the sects into violence against each other. Those groups are finally seeing the truth that it isn't religion that separates them, only specific beliefs within spirituality. God is God, and good is good...black and white. It used to be in this country that a Shi'a and Sunni could discuss their different views of Islam over coffee, and we are seeing a return to that.

Make no mistake; violence will ebb and flow here for many years to come...but just like the stock market ebbs and flows on a positive curve...the violence in Iraq will ebb and flow on a negative curve, and is currently doing so.