General Petraeus: Al Qaeda Off Balance

If you are not listening to the General's report, you should get a copy. See if you can access the video, with the charts he uses. That Video is available on CSpan with Windows Media Player or Real Player.

From Petraeus:

"Al Qaeda off balance... [Al Anbar] Is a model of what happens when local leaders and citizens reject Al Qaeda... Other tribes have been inspired by Al Anbar..."

More protesters have been tossed. Wish I didn't have a job and could go down to Washington to disrupt stuff that I dislike, like ways and means meetings or appropriations.

General Petraeus: Don't rush to failure.

He's calling for security while transitioning. We will be able to draw down forces, but political stability will only occur while security exists.

"I've recommended draw-downs in Iraq."

Force reductions will continue, but "projecting too far into the future can be not just difficult, but misleading..."

He's also discussing Iranian involvement, noting that few could have predicted its extent in Iraq. The bottom line from the General? We must be patient. Things are progressing, be patient.

A fast withdrawal could produce "dangerous results". We must secure the Iraqi people while targeting terrorists, while transitioning control to the Iraqis.