Submitted by Nolan Nelson, Jan 30, 2007 15:35

Supporting Iraqi's committed to national leadership requires recognizing al Qaeda terrorists and Ba'athist remnants cannot win, but Coalition partners and Iraq can loose. Rival death squads attack only unarmed civilians. Al-Sadr's militia crumples in military operations. Al-Muhajir, al Qaeda's leader in Iraq, boasts 22,000 followers, but conducts only terrorist operations, and those within limited areas. Ho Chi Minh and Vo Nguyen Giap would reject such pathetic allies, when compared to the VC main force units, which ARVN forces still obliterated in the militarily ill-timed Tet offensive. Loss for Iraq and the Coalition occurs through inconsistent application of classic counter-insurgency measures.

The President describing future actions referred to accrediting people and tactics for that winning strategy. Providing security precedes hearts and minds initiatives, because without that priority people align themselves to whichever violent faction accepts them each day. Selected areas are saturated with Coalition forces, and Iraqi forces imbedded with Coalition advisors. Once neighborhoods are cleared of terrorists and insurgents, military units remain, political/sectarian influence is not tolerated, and police, civil units and sheiks assume authority as they demonstrate commitment to national objectives.

Prime Minister Maliki may now understand viable national government requires harsh emergency rules impartially, and transparently administered. Informal alliances with parties such al-Sadr applies to traditional authoritarian oriental rule, and not representative government.

People will choose national identity and representative government, if national institutions provide security and then contribute to economic well-being. Resolving this situation requires application of will, not extraordinary intellect.

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