Three Months into the Escalation, Things are Getting Worse Not Better

All Americans want a safe and stable Iraq. But three months after the President announced his escalation plan, it is clear that sending more troops is not a recipe for success. In Iraq, despite a decrease of civilian casualties in Baghdad, American and Iraqi casualties are rising nationwide. The Iraqi government is making little to no progress on the benchmarks set out by the Bush Administration. At home, the President's failed efforts to hire a "war czar,” the criticism from a growing number of retired generals, and the shameful conditions at Walter Reed are just the latest indicators of a lack of leadership. Around the world, America has been further isolated, as the British begin to withdraw troops from Iraq and Al Qaeda reasserts itself in both North Africa and Afghanistan.

IN IRAQ

American Troop Fatalities are Up 33 Percent. Since the escalation was announced on January 10, 2007, American troop fatalities have risen by 33% averaging 3 per day as opposed to 2.25 per day during 2006. [Iraq Coalition Casualty Count [1]]

Overall Iraqi Casualties Rose 10% Between February and March. Although civilian casualties are down in Baghdad, according to a recent military report, from February to March the number of dead and wounded nationwide, including civilians and members of Iraqi and American security forces, rose 10 percent. [NY Times, 4/11/07 [2]]

Little to No Progress has Been Made on the Administration’s Own Political Benchmarks. No progress on reversing de-Baathification, scheduling provincial elections, drafting a plan for national reconciliation, amending the constitution, or reaching a political agreement on disbanding the militias has been made. The only progress to date has been a draft oil law that passed through the Iraqi Cabinet but has not yet been voted on by Parliament and still faces significant opposition. [Brookings Iraq Index, 4/12/07 [3]]

Six Ministers Loyal to Muqtada Al Sadr Withdrew from the Iraqi Government. This is the first major shake up of the Maliki government since it came to power one year ago. It further imperils the chances of a political resolution. [New York Times, 4/16/07 [4]]

The Deadliest Attack of the War Took Place Last Month. A suicide truck bombing in Tal Afar killed 152 people in a Shiite area, marking the highest death toll of any attack during the war. In retaliation, Shiite militias, including government security forces, killed 70 Sunnis. [Guardian, 4/1/07 [5]]

On April 12, the Green Zone Suffered Its Worst Attack Since the Start of the War. The suicide attack inside the Iraqi Parliament killed eight, and once again brought into question the state of the security in Iraq. [Chicago Sun Times, 4/13/07 [6]]

ON THE HOME FRONT

At Least Five Retired Generals Have Turned Down a “War Czar” Position, Indicating Lost Faith in This Administration. General Jack Keane (USA, Ret.), who was the primary proponent for increasing troop levels, General Joseph W. Ralston (USAF, Ret.), and General John J. "Jack" Sheehan (USMC, Ret.) have all turned down the job. Adding another layer of bureaucracy to implement a failed plan cannot take the place of real decision-making and a true change in course. As General Sheehan explained, “I concluded that the current Washington decision-making process lacks a linkage to a broader view of the region and how the parts fit together strategically. We got it right during the early days of Afghanistan -- and then lost focus. We have never gotten it right in Iraq.” [Washington Post, 4/13/07 [7]. Washington Post, 4/16/07 [8].]

At Least 10 Retired Generals Have Criticized the Bush Administration’s Policies Since the Escalation Began. The list includes: General John “Jack” Sheehan (USMC, Ret.), Major General John Batiste (USA, Ret.), Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Colin Powell (USA, Ret.), Major General Paul Eaton (USA, Ret.), Lieutenant General Robert G. Gard Jr. (USA, Ret.), Brigadier General John Johns (USA, Ret.), Major General Mel Montano (USANG, Ret.), Lieutenant General William E. Odom (USA, Ret.), General Barry McCaffrey (USA, Ret.), and General Edward "Shy" Meyer (USA, Ret.). [National Security Network, 4/12/07 [8]]

The Military Extended the Deployments of All Army Units in Iraq and Afghanistan by 3 Months. The new policy is designed to give greater certainty for deployment schedules. However, it will likely damage the morale of the military, hurt recruiting, and take a heavy toll on military families. As the New York Times reported, troops reacted with “outbursts of anger and frustration laced with dark humor.” [New York Times, 4/12/07 [9]]

The Defense Department Announced the Expected Call Up of an Additional 13,000 National Guardsmen. Several thousand of the troops have already been deployed to Iraq and will be returning for a second tour. [New York Times, 4/10/07 [10]]

Revelations of Neglect of Injured Soldiers at Walter Reed Were Exposed. Injured troops were not getting the treatment they needed. Many spent months without getting necessary medical attention, lived in rooms with mold and leaky plumbing, and were not given the care they deserve after risking their lives for this country. [Washington Post, 2/18/07 [11]]

AROUND THE WORLD

In His Easter Message, Pope Benedict XVI Condemned the War in Iraq. The Pope stated that "nothing positive” is happening in Iraq and that “Afghanistan is marked by growing unrest and instability.” [San Francsisco Chronicle, 4/9/07 [12]]

Great Britain Announced it Would be Pulling 2,000 Troops Out of Iraq by Mid-Summer. The withdrawal will leave only 12,000 international troops in Iraq and comes just as the United States was increasing its presence in Iraq. [Guardian, 2/21/07 [13]]

Al Qaeda is Resurgent in North Africa. In the past week, there have been multiple bombings in Casablanca, as well as an attack on the Government Palace in Algiers, which killed 33 people. [Washington Post, 4/14/07 [14]]

In Afghanistan, the Situation Grows More Unstable. A report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies found that the security situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated since 2005. The report found that “conditions in Afghanistan have deteriorated in all key areas targeted for development, except for the economy and women’s rights.” [Center for Strategic and International Studies, March 2007 [15]]

In Iran, 15 British Sailors Were Held Hostage for Two Weeks. The international incident was just another example of Iran further flexing its muscles. [Washington Post, 4/5/07 [16]]