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SWJED
05-17-2006, 06:25 AM
17 May Washington Times commentary - Morale Slippage in Iraq (http://www.washtimes.com/commentary/20060516-085750-1620r.htm) by Cal Thomas.


Morale is slipping in Iraq. Fighters are growing doubtful of success. A comprehensive strategy for winning the conflict is nonexistent.

Is this an assessment of the U.S. military? No, it is an assessment about the insurgents who oppose the elected Iraqi government. U.S. opinion polls show a growing number of Americans are pessimistic about the prosecution of the war. But documents authored by an al Qaeda operative and seized by U.S. soldiers during an April 16 raid in the Yusufiyah area (12 miles south of Baghdad) offer hope to the American side that success may be closer than we think.

The author's name is not known, but his conclusion about the lack of progress by the insurgent-terrorists is revealing. In the translated documents released May 9, the al Qaeda operative says the insurgency is "disorganized and lacks a comprehensive strategy;" the Mujahideen are "not considered more than a daily annoyance" to the Iraqi government; the terrorists lack the proper equipment and have "very small numbers" compared to the personnel and equipment of the U.S. and Iraqi forces; American and Iraqi troops are strong and resilient; American outreach to Sunni leaders is harmful to the terrorist cause; and "the policy followed by the brothers in Baghdad is a media-oriented policy." ...