IISS comment about plans B, C and D

[kaur]

Given the difficulties to be overcome for the surge’s success, it is no surprise that the US administration is actively investigating alternatives, developing a plan C and a plan D.

http://www.iiss.org/publications/str...nder-the-surge

[tequila]

Interesting that the Salvador model is held as a possible alternative. Frankly the vast differences between the FMLN insurgency and the current multifaceted enemies in Iraq make the comparison completely invalid IMO. Once both the government and FMLN decided to enter the political process, the vast majority of politically motivated violence stopped. In Iraq, neither the government, U.S. forces, nor any single insurgent group has anything approaching a monopoly of force --- the government cannot even maintain such a state a half-mile from its own seat of power, even over those fighting on its "side."

Also the historical "success" of the El Salvador model is not necessarily accurate, either --- that success was not brought about through principally military means.