Lessons of The Surge

Many Americans and Iraqis think of the recent surge in Iraq as simply the temporary addition of more US troops to the war effort in 2007 and the first half of 2008. This is incorrect. It is also dangerous.

Partly because they misunderstand the true nature of the surge, many American and Iraqi political leaders now seem to want American forces out of Iraq as fast as possible. Iraqi leaders also now seem un—to accept a reasonable Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) to govern the actions of US troops in their country after the current UN Security Council mandate expires at the end of the year.

In fact, the basic logic of the surge continues - and must continue - even now that the increase in US combat formations in Iraq has come to an end. At its core, the surge has been about cooperatively protecting the Iraqi civilian population. This is the central point policymakers in Baghdad, Washington and other capitals around the world need to appreciate.

More at The Washington Times.