Lessons To Be Learned From The Surge

IBD ^ | December 28, 2007 | Michael Barone

[Kaslin]

There are lessons to be learned from the dazzling success of the surge strategy in Iraq.

Lesson one is that just about no mission is impossible for the United States military.

A year ago it was widely thought, not just by the new Democratic leaders in Congress but also in many parts of the Pentagon, that containing the violence in Iraq was impossible. Now we have seen it done.

We have seen this before in American history. George Washington's forces seemed on the brink of defeat many times in the agonizing years before Yorktown. Abraham Lincoln's generals seemed so unsuccessful in the Civil War that in August 1864 it was widely believed he would be defeated for re-election. But finally Lincoln found the right generals. Sherman took Atlanta and marched to the sea; Grant pressed forward in Virginia.

Franklin Roosevelt picked the right generals and admirals from the start in World War II, but the first years of the war were filled with errors and mistakes.

[hsalaw]

Here’s a lesson: Never trust today’s Democrat Party with our national security. Never.

[HelloooClareece]

Michael Barone is amazing.

[tired1]

let’s not forget George Patton.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Here’s a lesson: Never trust today’s Democrat Party with our national security. Never.

Can't be said enough!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

ping!

[yldstrk]

Okay then.

[Bahbah]

Lesson one is that just about no mission is impossible for the United States military.

The great truth is right there. Let them do what they have the ability to do. Reasonable ROE that let them accomplish the task at hand. If you think politics is not beanbag, try war. The one organization that actually works in and for America is its military.

[antinomian]

You should have quoted this bit too:

Even Vietnam is not necessarily a counterexample. As Lewis Sorley argues persuasively in "A Better War: The Unexamined Victories and Final Tragedy of America's Last Years in Vietnam," Gen. Creighton Abrams came up with a winning strategy by 1972. South Vietnam fell three years later when the North Vietnamese army attacked en masse, and Congress refused to allow the aid the U.S. had promised.

[Kaslin]

Well that is why I posted the link, so you can read the whole editorial

[tired1]

“The one organization that actually works in and for America is its military.”

sadly, this is very true.

[2nd Bn, 11th Mar]

I’ve expressed my sentiments about Democrats in my tagline for some time now.

Semper Fi,

[M. Dodge Thomas]

"Lesson one is that just about no mission is impossible for the United States military."

IMO, that's one of the most dangerous illusions civilian leadership can have.

[AmericanMade1776]

Lesson one is that just about no mission is impossible for the United States military.

That is the truth! Our Military, and our space Program are still the best on the face of this earth.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

He ( George Patton & Douglas MacArthur ) are a generals general... glad we had them when we needed them.
Wish more would live up to their legacy and let Political Correctness be DAMMED !! ( sorry Moderator, I had to say it for effect, but that's how most of us here feel about PC ).

[max americana]

ARE YOU READING THIS, HARRY REID?

[timer]

Once frightened a young mother. She thought her child was developing too slowly. I told her it might be McClellan’s syndrome. Abe Lincoln was asked once : Mr President, what’s the matter with Gen McClellan, he has the world’s largest body guard but he doesn’t seem to want to fight. He’s got the SLOWS replied Honest Abe...

[sgtyork]

... just about no mission is impossible ...

You say its a dangerous illusion.

First, Baronne qualifies it-— “just about”.

Second, we have seen that Democrats consider all missions impossible and any war under a Republican President is criminal and unwinnable. Oh, and that all soldiers are war-criminals or psychos.

I’d prefer that our political leaders believe in the military than despise it. Our military has EARNED IT.

[xzins]

One lesson of the surge that should be handled is the case of Gen Eric Shinseki.

He was right and deserves an apology.

[Marine_Uncle]

It there was not a change of hearts and minds in al Anbar then a follow up in some of the other major provinces steeped in insurgent bloodshed, the additional soldiers added to the fight would have meant nothing.
A mere 3o thousand extra troops mostly placed in Baghdad simply would not have stopped the blood shed.
The Sunni and growing numbers of Shiite tribes turned the corner. They said enough is enough. So naturally the added US troops could make a difference. As most have said from the beginning. A military victory in Iraq to end the insurgency was not possible. At least for a very long time.
The Iraqi are helping us end the insurgency. Let us keep a balanced view.