Michael J. Totten: The Final Mission, Part I

Michael J. Totten's Middle East Journal ^ | January 27, 2008 | Michael J. Totten

[neverdem]

FALLUJAH – At the end of 2006 there were 3,000 Marines in Fallujah. Despite what you might expect during a surge of troops to Iraq, that number has been reduced by 90 percent. All Iraqi Army soldiers have likewise redeployed from the city. A skeleton crew of a mere 250 Marines is all that remains as the United States wraps up its final mission in what was once Iraq's most violent city.

“The Iraqi Police could almost take over now,” Second Lieutenant Gary Laughlin told me. “Most logistics problems are slowly being resolved. My platoon will probably be the last one out here in the Jolan neighborhood.”

“The Iraqi Police in Jolan are very good,” Second Lieutenant Mike Barefoot added. “Elsewhere in Fallujah they're not as far along yet. Theoretically we could leave the area now and they would be okay, except they would run out of money.”

There's more to the final mission than keeping the Iraqi Police solvent, however. The effort is focused on the Police Transition Teams. Their job is to train the Iraqi Police and bring them up to international standards so the locals can hold the city together after the last Americans leave.

A senior Marine officer whose name I didn't catch grilled some of his men during a talk in the Camp Fallujah chow hall after dinner.

“Do you trust the Iraqi Police?” he said to a Marine who works on one of the teams.

“No, sir,” the Marine said without hesitation. That was the only acceptable answer. This was a test, not an inquiry.

“Why not?” the officer said.

“Because they're not honest,” the Marine said.

“What do the Iraqi Police watch?” the officer said. “What are they looking at on a daily basis?”

“Us,” said several Marines in unison...

[Oldexpat]

We need to redeploy the marines to TJ and a few other border towns for a little nation building.

[neverdem]

For those who think John McCain should be the nominee because he would be the one most likely to beat Hillary in November because he can attract moderates and independents, just remember pro-amnesty McCain can't get any traction on the illegal alien issue. Remember that poll about giving illegal aliens drivers licenses after Hillary put her foot in her mouth? IIRC, three out of four independents were against it, and two out of three donkeys were against it.

Mexico First? No problem with McCain

AG, governor seek reversal on gun ruling (OK)

Waving Goodbye to Hegemony

From time to time, I’ll ping on noteworthy articles about politics, foreign and military affairs. FReepmail me if you want on or off my list.

[PGalt]

Excellent article by Michael J. Totten. Iraqi citizens have a chance to realize their individual potential like no other time in their history.

[Delacon]

Thanks ND. Bump.

[quant5]

Excellent work over there Marines. You destroyed the enemy despite having your hands tied for two years. Adapt and overcome!

[molette67]

ping great news!

[SunkenCiv]

"The Iraqi Police in Jolan are very good," Second Lieutenant Mike Barefoot added. "Elsewhere in Fallujah they're not as far along yet. Theoretically we could leave the area now and they would be okay, except they would run out of money."

Thanks neverdem.

Kennedys support Obama because they can't credibly support Kucinich?

[do the dhue]

I hope the Police hold their ground.