US Commanders In Iraq: "Surge!"

It seems US commanders on the ground in Iraq, including General Casey, are prepared to go with a surge in forces as part of any new strategy. Bush is said to be placing prime importance on their opinion and it looks as though Sec Def Gates is the one taking the message back to Washington.

The political move to minimize Al-Sadr continues and is seen as a hoped for part of any new plan. No doubt the speculation will be if the pending retirement of Gen. John Abizaid cleared the way for those below him to go with what they want, or if it cleared the way for the White House to pressure the ground commanders into signing on to another plan. The move is a clear reversal for General Casey.

WASHINGTON — Top U.S. military commanders in Iraq have decided to recommend a "surge" of fresh American combat forces, eliminating one of the last remaining hurdles to proposals being considered by President Bush for a troop increase, a defense official familiar with the plan said Friday.

The approval of a troop increase plan by top Iraq commanders, including Gen. George W. Casey Jr. and Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, comes days before Bush unveils a new course for the troubled U.S. involvement in Iraq. Bush still must address concerns among some Pentagon officials and overcome opposition from Congress, where many Democrats favor a blue-ribbon commission's recommendation for a gradual withdrawal of combat troops.

The recommendation by the commanders in Iraq is significant because Bush has placed prime importance on their advice. The U.S. command in Iraq decided to recommend an increase of troops several days ago, prior to meetings in Baghdad this week with Defense Secretary Robert Gates, the defense official said.

Comments

[Phoenix]

Why do I feel this is for the public's consumption? I figure the generals and Bush on the same page from day one and from that point on, it's all been about timing the political atmosphere in DC. All the assholes trucking over to the ME to 'talk' has been allowed to happen so they'll look like the fools they are. Meanwhile, in the basement of the White House and the closets of the Pentagon, everyone is chuckling...."ha ha... so much for Kerry's good will".. Boooph.

[warrenb]

"The move is a clear reversal for General Casey."

..."Bush has placed prime importance on their advice."

Their "advice" was not to surge. So Bush threw all of them a bone saying he wants to increase the overall size of the military...SO HE BRIBED THEM...and now they're onboard. What a farce.

Here's my blunt prediction. The "surge" or whatever you want to call it...will ultimately fail.

You cannot win a Political problem with military might. PERIOD.

[Sgt.York]

The US plan was to create a political coalition with the leaders of SCIRI, Badr, and Dawa to politicaly disenfranchise [Sayeed] Moktada a-Sadr prior to a US military assault on him and his supporters. However, [AyatAllah} Sistani has just nixxed that plan and has asserted there needs to be Shia unity.

[Kathy]

Dan, Pres. Bush is not "placing prime importance on their opinion." Bush doesn't care about the commanders' opinion. Obviously, he wants their public statements of agreement on sending more troops to Iraq, but he doesn't care what they think. Obviously, the commanders have gotten the message.

[Phoenix]

Kathy,

What's your source for those statements you made?