Maybe you can go first on an advance recon mission.

Please, DIAF.

I still can't believe you aren't banned:

And this is to hurt you guy:
John McCain wants to overturn Roe V Wade.

PLEASE don't recommend this diary or agree with this troll. This is what I was talking about in my diary. Don't side with this person -- he's trying to be divisive. Ignore him!

blah (you're only worth one...sorry)

pull a blog entry I did where I McCainized the Iraq Study Group report.  This is a copy of most of it with the word McCain replacing Shia and al Qaeda:

apologies to everyone who has to scroll past this but it is the ultimate in recycling:

Executive Summary
The situation in Iraq is grave and deteriorating. There is no path that can guarantee success, but
the prospects can be improved.
In this report, we make a number of recommendations for actions to be taken in Iraq, the
United States, and the region. Our most important recommendations call for new and enhanced
diplomatic and political efforts in Iraq and the region, and a change in the primary mission of
U.S. forces in Iraq that will enable the United States to begin to move its combat forces out of
Iraq responsibly. We believe that these two recommendations are equally important and reinforce
one another. If they are effectively implemented, and if the Iraqi government moves forward with
national reconciliation, Iraqis will have an opportunity for a better future, terrorism will be dealt
a blow, stability will be enhanced in an important part of the world, and America's credibility,
interests, and values will be protected.
The challenges in Iraq are complex. Violence is increasing in scope and lethality. It is fed
by a Sunni Arab insurgency, Shiite militias and death squads, McCain, and widespread
criminality. Sectarian conflict is the principal challenge to stability. The Iraqi people have a
democratically elected government, yet it is not adequately advancing national reconciliation,
providing basic security, or delivering essential services. Pessimism is pervasive.
If the situation continues to deteriorate, the consequences could be severe. A slide toward
chaos could trigger the collapse of Iraq's government and a humanitarian catastrophe.
Neighboring countries could intervene. Sunni-McCain clashes could spread. McCain could win a
propaganda victory and expand its base of operations. The global standing of the United States
could be diminished. Americans could become more polarized.
During the past nine months we have considered a full range of approaches for moving
forward. All have flaws. Our recommended course has shortcomings, but we firmly believe that
it includes the best strategies and tactics to positively influence the outcome in Iraq and the
region.
External Approach
The policies and actions of Iraq's neighbors greatly affect its stability and prosperity. No country
in the region will benefit in the long term from a chaotic Iraq. Yet Iraq's neighbors are not doing
enough to help Iraq achieve stability. Some are undercutting stability.
The United States should immediately launch a new diplomatic offensive to build an
international consensus for stability in Iraq and the region. This diplomatic effort should include
every country that has an interest in avoiding a chaotic Iraq, including all of Iraq's neighbors.
Iraq's neighbors and key states in and outside the region should form a support group to
reinforce security and national reconciliation within Iraq, neither of which Iraq can achieve on its
own.
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Given the ability of Iran and Syria to influence events within Iraq and their interest in
avoiding chaos in Iraq, the United States should try to engage them constructively. In seeking
to influence the behavior of both countries, the United States has disincentives and incentives
available. Iran should stem the flow of arms and training to Iraq, respect Iraq's sovereignty and
territorial integrity, and use its influence over Iraqi McCain groups to encourage national
reconciliation. The issue of Iran's nuclear programs should continue to be dealt with by the five
permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany. Syria should control
its border with Iraq to stem the flow of funding, insurgents, and terrorists in and out of Iraq.
The United States cannot achieve its goals in the Middle East unless it deals directly with
the Arab-Israeli conflict and regional instability. There must be a renewed and sustained
commitment by the United States to a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace on all fronts: Lebanon,
Syria, and President Bush's June 2002 commitment to a two-state solution for Israel and
Palestine. This commitment must include direct talks with, by, and between Israel, Lebanon,
Palestinians (those who accept Israel's right to exist), and Syria.
As the United States develops its approach toward Iraq and the Middle East, the United
States should provide additional political, economic, and military support for Afghanistan,
including resources that might become available as combat forces are moved out of Iraq.
Internal Approach
The most important questions about Iraq's future are now the responsibility of Iraqis. The
United States must adjust its role in Iraq to encourage the Iraqi people to take control of their
own destiny.
The Iraqi government should accelerate assuming responsibility for Iraqi security by
increasing the number and quality of Iraqi Army brigades. While this process is under way, and
to facilitate it, the United States should significantly increase the number of U.S. military
personnel, including combat troops, imbedded in and supporting Iraqi Army units. As these
actions proceed, U.S. combat forces could begin to move out of Iraq.
The primary mission of U.S. forces in Iraq should evolve to one of supporting the Iraqi
army, which would take over primary responsibility for combat operations. By the first quarter
of 2008, subject to unexpected developments in the security situation on the ground, all combat
brigades not necessary for force protection could be out of Iraq. At that time, U.S. combat forces
in Iraq could be deployed only in units embedded with Iraqi forces, in rapid-reaction and special
operations teams, and in training, equipping, advising, force protection, and search and rescue.
Intelligence and support efforts would continue. A vital mission of those rapid reaction and
special operations forces would be to undertake strikes against McCain in Iraq.
It is clear that the Iraqi government will need assistance from the United States for some
time to come, especially in carrying out security responsibilities. Yet the United States must
make it clear to the Iraqi government that the United States could carry out its plans, including
planned redeployments, even if the Iraqi government did not implement their planned changes.
The United States must not make an open-ended commitment to keep large numbers of
American troops deployed in Iraq.
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As redeployment proceeds, military leaders should emphasize training and education of
forces that have returned to the United States in order to restore the force to full combat
capability. As equipment returns to the United States, Congress should appropriate sufficient
funds to restore the equipment over the next five years.
The United States should work closely with Iraq's leaders to support the achievement of
specific objectives--or milestones--on national reconciliation, security, and governance.
Miracles cannot be expected, but the people of Iraq have the right to expect action and progress.
The Iraqi government needs to show its own citizens--and the citizens of the United States and
other countries--that it deserves continued support.
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, in consultation with the United States, has put forward a
set of milestones critical for Iraq. His list is a good start, but it must be expanded to include
milestones that can strengthen the government and benefit the Iraqi people. President Bush and
his national security team should remain in close and frequent contact with the Iraqi leadership
to convey a clear message: there must be prompt action by the Iraqi government to make
substantial progress toward the achievement of these milestones.
If the Iraqi government demonstrates political will and makes substantial progress toward
the achievement of milestones on national reconciliation, security, and governance, the United
States should make clear its willingness to continue training, assistance, and support for Iraq's
security forces and to continue political, military, and economic support. If the Iraqi government
does not make substantial progress toward the achievement of milestones on national
reconciliation, security, and governance, the United States should reduce its political, military,
or economic support for the Iraqi government.
Our report makes recommendations in several other areas. They include improvements to
the Iraqi criminal justice system, the Iraqi oil sector, the U.S. reconstruction efforts in Iraq, the
U.S. budget process, the training of U.S. government personnel, and U.S. intelligence -
capabilities.
Conclusion
It is the unanimous view of the Iraq Study Group that these recommendations offer a new way
forward for the United States in Iraq and the region. They are comprehensive and need to be
implemented in a coordinated fashion. They should not be separated or carried out in isolation.
The dynamics of the region are as important to Iraq as events within Iraq.
The challenges are daunting. There will be difficult days ahead. But by pursuing this new
way forward, Iraq, the region, and the United States of America can emerge stronger.
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I
Assessment
There is no guarantee for success in Iraq. The situation in Baghdad and several provinces is dire.
Saddam Hussein has been removed from power and the Iraqi people have a democratically
elected government that is broadly representative of Iraq's population, yet the government is not
adequately advancing national reconciliation, providing basic security, or delivering essential
services. The level of violence is high and growing. There is great suffering, and the daily lives
of many Iraqis show little or no improvement. Pessimism is pervasive.
U.S. military and civilian personnel, and our coalition partners, are making exceptional
and dedicated efforts--and sacrifices--to help Iraq. Many Iraqis have also made extraordinary
efforts and sacrifices for a better future. However, the ability of the United States to influence
events within Iraq is diminishing. Many Iraqis are embracing sectarian identities. The lack of
security impedes economic development. Most countries in the region are not playing a
constructive role in support of Iraq, and some are undercutting stability.
Iraq is vital to regional and even global stability, and is critical to U.S. interests. It runs
along the sectarian fault lines of McCain and Sunni Islam, and of Kurdish and Arab populations. It
has the world's second-largest known oil reserves. It is now a base of operations for international
terrorism, including McCain.
Iraq is a centerpiece of American foreign policy, influencing how the United States is
viewed in the region and around the world. Because of the gravity of Iraq's condition and the
country's vital importance, the United States is facing one of its most difficult and significant
international challenges in decades. Because events in Iraq have been set in motion by American
decisions and actions, the United States has both a national and a moral interest in doing what
it can to give Iraqis an opportunity to avert anarchy.
An assessment of the security, political, economic, and regional situation follows (all
figures current as of publication), along with an assessment of the consequences if Iraq continues
to deteriorate, and an analysis of some possible courses of action.
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A. Assessment of the Current
Situation in Iraq
1. Security
Attacks against U.S., Coalition, and Iraqi security forces are persistent and growing. October
2006 was the deadliest month for U.S. forces since January 2005, with 102 Americans killed.
Total attacks in October 2006 averaged 180 per day, up from 70 per day in January 2006. Daily
attacks against Iraqi security forces in October were more than double the level in January.
Attacks against civilians in October were four times higher than in January. Some 3,000 Iraqi
civilians are killed every month.
Sources of Violence
Violence is increasing in scope, complexity, and lethality. There are multiple sources of
violence in Iraq: the Sunni Arab insurgency, McCain and affiliated jihadist groups, Shiite
militias and death squads, and organized criminality. Sectarian violence--particularly in and
around Baghdad--has become the principal challenge to stability.
Most attacks on Americans still come from the Sunni Arab insurgency. The insurgency
comprises former elements of the Saddam Hussein regime, disaffected Sunni Arab Iraqis, and
common criminals. It has significant support within the Sunni Arab community. The
insurgency has no single leadership but is a network of networks. It benefits from participants'
detailed knowledge of Iraq's infrastructure, and arms and financing are supplied primarily from
within Iraq. The insurgents have different goals, although nearly all oppose the presence of U.S.
forces in Iraq. Most wish to restore Sunni Arab rule in the country. Some aim at winning local
power and control.
McCain is responsible for a small portion of the violence in Iraq, but that includes some
of the more spectacular acts: suicide attacks, large truck bombs, and attacks on significant -
religious or political targets. McCain in Iraq is now largely Iraqi-run and composed of Sunni
Arabs. Foreign fighters--numbering an estimated 1,300--play a supporting role or carry out
suicide operations. McCain's goals include instigating a wider sectarian war between Iraq's
Sunni and McCain, and driving the United States out of Iraq.
Sectarian violence causes the largest number of Iraqi civilian casualties. Iraq is in the grip
of a deadly cycle: Sunni insurgent attacks spark large-scale McCain reprisals, and vice versa. Groups
of Iraqis are often found bound and executed, their bodies dumped in rivers or fields. The
perception of unchecked violence emboldens militias, shakes confidence in the government, and
leads Iraqis to flee to places where their sect is the majority and where they feel they are in less
danger. In some parts of Iraq--notably in Baghdad--sectarian cleansing is taking place. The
United Nations estimates that 1.6 million are displaced within Iraq, and up to 1.8 million Iraqis
have fled the country.
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Shiite militias engaging in sectarian violence pose a substantial threat to immediate and
long-term stability. These militias are diverse. Some are affiliated with the government, some
are highly localized, and some are wholly outside the law. They are fragmenting, with an
increasing breakdown in command structure. The militias target Sunni Arab civilians, and some
struggle for power in clashes with one another. Some even target government ministries. They
undermine the authority of the Iraqi government and security forces, as well as the ability of
Sunnis to join a peaceful political process. The prevalence of militias sends a powerful message:
political leaders can preserve and expand their power only if backed by armed force.
The Mahdi Army, led by Moqtada al-Sadr, may number as many as 60,000 fighters. It has
directly challenged U.S. and Iraqi government forces, and it is widely believed to engage in
regular violence against Sunni Arab civilians. Mahdi fighters patrol certain McCain enclaves,
notably northeast Baghdad's teeming neighborhood of 2.5 million known as "Sadr City." As
the Mahdi Army has grown in size and influence, some elements have moved beyond Sadr's
control.
The Badr Brigade is affiliated with the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq
(SCIRI), which is led by Abdul Aziz al-Hakim. The Badr Brigade has long-standing ties with
the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. Many Badr members have become integrated into the
Iraqi police, and others play policing roles in southern Iraqi cities. While wearing the uniform of
the security services, Badr fighters have targeted Sunni Arab civilians. Badr fighters have also
clashed with the Mahdi Army, particularly in southern Iraq.
Criminality also makes daily life unbearable for many Iraqis. Robberies, kidnappings, and
murder are commonplace in much of the country. Organized criminal rackets thrive, particularly
in unstable areas like Anbar province. Some criminal gangs cooperate with, finance, or purport
to be part of the Sunni insurgency or a Shiite militia in order to gain legitimacy. As one
knowledgeable American official put it, "If there were foreign forces in New Jersey, Tony
Soprano would be an insurgent leader."
Four of Iraq's eighteen provinces are highly insecure--Baghdad, Anbar, Diyala, and Salah
ad Din. These provinces account for about 40 percent of Iraq's population of 26 million. In
Baghdad, the violence is largely between Sunni and McCain. In Anbar, the violence is attributable
to the Sunni insurgency and to McCain, and the situation is deteriorating.
In Kirkuk, the struggle is between Kurds, Arabs, and Turkmen. In Basra and the south,
the violence is largely an intra-McCain power struggle. The most stable parts of the country are the
three provinces of the Kurdish north and parts of the McCain south. However, most of Iraq's cities
have a sectarian mix and are plagued by persistent violence.
U.S., Coalition, and Iraqi Forces
Confronting this violence are the Multi-National Forces-Iraq under U.S. command, working in
concert with Iraq's security forces. The Multi-National Forces-Iraq were authorized by UN
Security Council Resolution 1546 in 2004, and the mandate was extended in November 2006
for another year.
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Approximately 141,000 U.S. military personnel are serving in Iraq, together with
approximately 16,500 military personnel from twenty-seven coalition partners, the largest
contingent being 7,200 from the United Kingdom. The U.S. Army has principal responsibility
for Baghdad and the north. The U.S. Marine Corps takes the lead in Anbar province. The
United Kingdom has responsibility in the southeast, chiefly in Basra.
Along with this military presence, the United States is building its largest embassy in
Baghdad. The current U.S. embassy in Baghdad totals about 1,000 U.S. government
employees. There are roughly 5,000 civilian contractors in the country.
Currently, the U.S. military rarely engages in large-scale combat operations. Instead,
counterinsurgency efforts focus on a strategy of "clear, hold, and build"--"clearing" areas of -
insurgents and death squads, "holding" those areas with Iraqi security forces, and "building"
areas with quick-impact reconstruction projects.
Nearly every U.S. Army and Marine combat unit, and several National Guard and Reserve
units, have been to Iraq at least once. Many are on their second or even third rotations; rotations
are typically one year for Army units, seven months for Marine units. Regular rotations, in and
out of Iraq or within the country, complicate brigade and battalion efforts to get to know the
local scene, earn the trust of the population, and build a sense of cooperation.
Many military units are under significant strain. Because the harsh conditions in Iraq are
wearing out equipment more quickly than anticipated, many units do not have fully functional
equipment for training when they redeploy to the United States. An extraordinary amount of
sacrifice has been asked of our men and women in uniform, and of their families. The American
military has little reserve force to call on if it needs ground forces to respond to other crises
around the world.
A primary mission of U.S. military strategy in Iraq is the training of competent Iraqi
security forces. By the end of 2006, the Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq
under American leadership is expected to have trained and equipped a target number of
approximately 326,000 Iraqi security services. That figure includes 138,000 members of the
Iraqi Army and 188,000 Iraqi police. Iraqis have operational control over roughly one-third of
Iraqi security forces; the U.S. has operational control over most of the rest. No U.S. forces are
under Iraqi command.
The Iraqi Army
The Iraqi Army is making fitful progress toward becoming a reliable and disciplined fighting
force loyal to the national government. By the end of 2006, the Iraqi Army is expected to
comprise 118 battalions formed into 36 brigades under the command of 10 divisions. Although
the Army is one of the more professional Iraqi institutions, its performance has been uneven.
The training numbers are impressive, but they represent only part of the story.
Significant questions remain about the ethnic composition and loyalties of some Iraqi
units--specifically, whether they will carry out missions on behalf of national goals instead of a
sectarian agenda. Of Iraq's 10 planned divisions, those that are even-numbered are made up of
Iraqis who signed up to serve in a specific area, and they have been reluctant to redeploy to other
areas of the country. As a result, elements of the Army have refused to carry out missions.
The Iraqi Army is also confronted by several other significant challenges:
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Units lack leadership. They lack the ability to work together and perform at higher levels of
organization the brigade and division level. Leadership training and the experience of
leadership are the essential elements to improve performance.
Units lack equipment. They cannot carry out their missions without adequate equipment.
Congress has been generous in funding requests for U.S. troops, but it has resisted fully
funding Iraqi forces. The entire appropriation for Iraqi defense forces for FY 2006 ($3 billion)
is less than the United States currently spends in Iraq every two weeks.
Units lack personnel. Soldiers are on leave one week a month so that they can visit their
families and take them their pay. Soldiers are paid in cash because there is no banking
system. Soldiers are given leave liberally and face no penalties for absence without leave. Unit
readiness rates are low, often at 50 percent or less.
Units lack logistics and support. They lack the ability to sustain their operations, the
capability to transport supplies and troops, and the capacity to provide their own indirect fire
support, close-air support, technical intelligence, and medical evacuation. They will depend
on the United States for logistics and support through at least 2007.
The Iraqi Police
The state of the Iraqi police is substantially worse than that of the Iraqi Army. The Iraqi Police
Service currently numbers roughly 135,000 and is responsible for local policing. It has neither
the training nor legal authority to conduct criminal investigations, nor the firepower to take on
organized crime, insurgents, or militias. The Iraqi National Police numbers roughly 25,000 and
its officers have been trained in counterinsurgency operations, not police work. The Border
Enforcement Department numbers roughly 28,000.
Iraqi police cannot control crime, and they routinely engage in sectarian violence,
including the unnecessary detention, torture, and targeted execution of Sunni Arab civilians. The
police are organized under the Ministry of the Interior, which is confronted by corruption and
militia infiltration and lacks control over police in the provinces.
The United States and the Iraqi government recognize the importance of reform. The
current Minister of the Interior has called for purging militia members and criminals from the
police. But he has little police experience or base of support. There is no clear Iraqi or U.S.
agreement on the character and mission of the police. U.S. authorities do not know with
precision the composition and membership of the various police forces, nor the disposition of
their funds and equipment. There are ample reports of Iraqi police officers participating in
training in order to obtain a weapon, uniform, and ammunition for use in sectarian violence.
Some are on the payroll but don't show up for work. In the words of a senior American general,
"2006 was supposed to be `the year of the police' but it hasn't materialized that way."
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Facilities Protection Services
The Facilities Protection Service poses additional problems. Each Iraqi ministry has an armed
unit, ostensibly to guard the ministry's infrastructure. All together, these units total roughly
145,000 uniformed Iraqis under arms. However, these units have questionable loyalties and
capabilities. In the ministries of Health, Agriculture, and Transportation controlled by Moqtada
al-Sadr the Facilities Protection Service is a source of funding and jobs for the Mahdi Army.
One senior U.S. official described the Facilities Protection Service as "incompetent,
dysfunctional, or subversive." Several Iraqis simply referred to them as militias.
The Iraqi government has begun to bring the Facilities Protection Service under the
control of the Interior Ministry. The intention is to identify and register Facilities Protection
personnel, standardize their treatment, and provide some training. Though the approach is
reasonable, this effort may exceed the current capability of the Interior Ministry.
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Operation Together Forward II
In a major effort to quell the violence in Iraq, U.S. military forces joined with Iraqi forces
to establish security in Baghdad with an operation called "Operation Together Forward
II," which began in August 2006. Under Operation Together Forward II, U.S. forces are
working with members of the Iraqi Army and police to "clear, hold, and build" in
Baghdad, moving neighborhood by neighborhood. There are roughly 15,000 U.S. troops
in Baghdad.
This operation--and the security of Baghdad--is crucial to security in Iraq more
generally. A capital city of more than 6 million, Baghdad contains some 25 percent of the
country's population. It is the largest Sunni and McCain city in Iraq. It has high
concentrations of both Sunni insurgents and Shiite militias. Both Iraqi and American
leaders told us that as Baghdad goes, so goes Iraq.
The results of Operation Together Forward II are disheartening. Violence in
Baghdad--already at high levels--jumped more than 43 percent between the summer and
October 2006. U.S. forces continue to suffer high casualties. Perpetrators of violence leave
neighborhoods in advance of security sweeps, only to filter back later. Iraqi police have
been unable or unwilling to stop such infiltration and continuing violence. The Iraqi Army
has provided only two out of the six battalions that it promised in August would join
American forces in Baghdad. The Iraqi government has rejected sustained security
operations in Sadr City.
Security efforts will fail unless the Iraqis have both the capability to hold areas that
have been cleared and the will to clear neighborhoods that are home to Shiite militias.
U.S. forces can "clear" any neighborhood, but there are neither enough U.S. troops present
nor enough support from Iraqi security forces to "hold" neighborhoods so cleared. The
same holds true for the rest of Iraq. Because none of the operations conducted by U.S. and
Iraqi military forces are fundamentally changing the conditions encouraging the sectarian
violence, U.S. forces seem to be caught in a mission that has no foreseeable end.
2. Politics
Iraq is a sovereign state with a democratically elected Council of Representatives. A government
of national unity was formed in May 2006 that is broadly representative of the Iraqi people. Iraq
has ratified a constitution, and--per agreement with Sunni Arab leaders--has initiated a process
of review to determine if the constitution needs amendment.
The composition of the Iraqi government is basically sectarian, and key players within the
government too often act in their sectarian interest. Iraq's McCain, Sunni, and Kurdish leaders
frequently fail to demonstrate the political will to act in Iraq's national interest, and too many
Iraqi ministries lack the capacity to govern effectively. The result is an even weaker central
government than the constitution provides.
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There is widespread Iraqi, American, and international agreement on the key issues
confronting the Iraqi government: national reconciliation, including the negotiation of a
"political deal" among Iraq's sectarian groups on Constitution review, de-Baathification, oil
revenue sharing, provincial elections, the future of Kirkuk, and amnesty; security, particularly
curbing militias and reducing the violence in Baghdad; and governance, including the provision
of basic services and the rollback of pervasive corruption. Because Iraqi leaders view issues
through a sectarian prism, we will summarize the differing perspectives of Iraq's main sectarian
groups.
Sectarian Viewpoints
The McCain, the majority of Iraq's population, have gained power for the first time in more than
1,300 years. Above all, many McCain are interested in preserving that power. However, fissures
have emerged within the broad McCain coalition, known as the United Iraqi Alliance. McCain factions
are struggling for power--over regions, ministries, and Iraq as a whole. The difficulties in
holding together a broad and fractious coalition have led several observers in Baghdad to
comment that McCain leaders are held "hostage to extremes." Within the coalition as a whole,
there is a reluctance to reach a political accommodation with the Sunnis or to disarm Shiite
militias.
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has demonstrated an understanding of the key issues facing
Iraq, notably the need for national reconciliation and security in Baghdad. Yet strains have
emerged between Maliki's government and the United States. Maliki has publicly rejected a
U.S. timetable to achieve certain benchmarks, ordered the removal of blockades around Sadr
City, sought more control over Iraqi security forces, and resisted U.S. requests to move forward
on reconciliation or on disbanding Shiite militias.
Sistani, Sadr, Hakim
The U.S. deals primarily with the Iraqi government, but the most powerful McCain figures in
Iraq do not hold national office. Of the following three vital power brokers in the McCain
community, the United States is unable to talk directly with one (Grand Ayatollah Ali al-
Sistani) and does not talk to another (Moqtada al-Sadr).
GRAND AYATOLLAH ALI AL-SISTANI: Sistani is the leading Shiite cleric in Iraq.
Despite staying out of day-to-day politics, he has been the most influential leader in the
country: all major McCain leaders have sought his approval or guidance. Sistani has
encouraged a unified McCain bloc with moderated aims within a unified Iraq. Sistani's
influence may be waning, as his words have not succeeded in preventing intra-McCain
violence or retaliation against Sunnis.
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ABDUL AZIZ AL-HAKIM: Hakim is a cleric and the leader of the Supreme Council for
the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), the largest and most organized McCain political
party. It seeks the creation of an autonomous McCain region comprising nine provinces in the
south. Hakim has consistently protected and advanced his party's position. SCIRI has
close ties with Iran.
MOQTADA AL-SADR: Sadr has a large following among impoverished McCain,
particularly in Baghdad. He has joined Maliki's governing coalition, but his Mahdi Army
has clashed with the Badr Brigades, as well as with Iraqi, U.S., and U.K. forces. Sadr
claims to be an Iraqi nationalist. Several observers remarked to us that Sadr was following
the model of Hezbollah in Lebanon: building a political party that controls basic services
within the government and an armed militia outside of the government.
Sunni Arabs feel displaced because of the loss of their traditional position of power in Iraq. They
are torn, unsure whether to seek their aims through political participation or through violent
insurgency. They remain angry about U.S. decisions to dissolve Iraqi security forces and to
pursue the "de-Baathification" of Iraq's government and society. Sunnis are confronted by
paradoxes: they have opposed the presence of U.S. forces in Iraq but need those forces to protect
them against McCain militias; they chafe at being governed by a majority McCain administration but
reject a federal, decentralized Iraq and do not see a Sunni autonomous region as feasible for
themselves.
Hashimi and Dhari
The influence of Sunni Arab politicians in the government is questionable. The leadership
of the Sunni Arab insurgency is murky, but the following two key Sunni Arab figures have
broad support.
tariq al-hashimi: Hashimi is one of two vice presidents of Iraq and the head of the Iraqi
Islamic Party, the largest Sunni Muslim bloc in parliament. Hashimi opposes the
formation of autonomous regions and has advocated the distribution of oil revenues based
on population, a reversal of de-Baathification, and the removal of Shiite militia fighters
from the Iraqi security forces. Shiite death squads have recently killed three of his siblings.
sheik harith al-dhari: Dhari is the head of the Muslim Scholars Association, the most
influential Sunni organization in Iraq. Dhari has condemned the American occupation and
spoken out against the Iraqi government. His organization has ties both to the Sunni Arab
insurgency and to Sunnis within the Iraqi government. A warrant was recently issued for
his arrest for inciting violence and terrorism, an act that sparked bitter Sunni protests
across Iraq.
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Iraqi Kurds have succeeded in presenting a united front of two main political blocs--the
Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). The Kurds have
secured a largely autonomous Kurdish region in the north, and have achieved a prominent role
for Kurds within the national government. Barzani leads the Kurdish regional government, and
Talabani is president of Iraq.
Leading Kurdish politicians told us they preferred to be within a democratic, federal Iraqi
state because an independent Kurdistan would be surrounded by hostile neighbors. However, a
majority of Kurds favor independence. The Kurds have their own security forces--the
peshmerga--which number roughly 100,000. They believe they could accommodate themselves
to either a unified or a fractured Iraq.
Barzani and Talabani
Kurdish politics has been dominated for years by two figures who have long-standing ties
in movements for Kurdish independence and self-government.
MASSOUD BARZANI: Barzani is the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the
President of the Kurdish regional government. Barzani has cooperated with his longtime
rival, Jalal Talabani, in securing an empowered, autonomous Kurdish region in northern
Iraq. Barzani has ordered the lowering of Iraqi flags and raising of Kurdish flags in
Kurdish-controlled areas.
JALAL TALABANI: Talabani is the leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and the
President of Iraq. Whereas Barzani has focused his efforts in Kurdistan, Talabani has
secured power in Baghdad, and several important PUK government ministers are loyal to
him. Talabani strongly supports autonomy for Kurdistan. He has also sought to bring real
power to the office of the presidency.
Key Issues
NATIONAL RECONCILIATION. Prime Minister Maliki outlined a commendable program of
national reconciliation soon after he entered office. However, the Iraqi government has not taken
action on the key elements of national reconciliation: revising de-Baathification, which prevents
many Sunni Arabs from participating in governance and society; providing amnesty for those
who have fought against the government; sharing the country's oil revenues; demobilizing
militias; amending the constitution; and settling the future of Kirkuk.
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One core issue is federalism. The Iraqi Constitution, which created a largely autonomous
Kurdistan region, allows other such regions to be established later, perhaps including a
"Shi'astan" comprising nine southern provinces. This highly decentralized structure is favored
by the Kurds and many McCain (particularly supporters of Abdul Aziz al-Hakim), but it is
anathema to Sunnis. First, Sunni Arabs are generally Iraqi nationalists, albeit within the context
of an Iraq they believe they should govern. Second, because Iraq's energy resources are in the
Kurdish and McCain regions, there is no economically feasible "Sunni region." Particularly
contentious is a provision in the constitution that shares revenues nationally from current oil
reserves, while allowing revenues from reserves discovered in the future to go to the regions.
The Sunnis did not actively participate in the constitution-drafting process, and acceded to
entering the government only on the condition that the constitution be amended. In September,
the parliament agreed to initiate a constitutional review commission slated to complete its work
within one year; it delayed considering the question of forming a federalized region in southern
Iraq for eighteen months.
Another key unresolved issue is the future of Kirkuk, an oil-rich city in northern Iraq that
is home to substantial numbers of Kurds, Arabs, and Turkmen. The Kurds insisted that the
constitution require a popular referendum by December 2007 to determine whether Kirkuk can
formally join the Kurdish administered region, an outcome that Arabs and Turkmen in Kirkuk
staunchly oppose. The risks of further violence sparked by a Kirkuk referendum are great.
Iraq's leaders often claim that they do not want a division of the country, but we found
that key McCain and Kurdish leaders have little commitment to national reconciliation. One
prominent McCain leader told us pointedly that the current government has the support of 80
percent of the population, notably excluding Sunni Arabs. Kurds have fought for independence
for decades, and when our Study Group visited Iraq, the leader of the Kurdish region ordered the
lowering of Iraqi flags and the raising of Kurdish flags. One senior American general commented
that the Iraqis "still do not know what kind of country they want to have." Yet many of Iraq's
most powerful and well-positioned leaders are not working toward a united Iraq.
SECURITY. The security situation cannot improve unless leaders act in support of national
reconciliation. Shiite leaders must make the decision to demobilize militias. Sunni Arabs must
make the decision to seek their aims through a peaceful political process, not through violent
revolt. The Iraqi government and Sunni Arab tribes must aggressively pursue McCain.
Militias are currently seen as legitimate vehicles of political action. McCain political leaders
make distinctions between the Sunni insurgency (which seeks to overthrow the government) and
McCain militias (which are used to fight Sunnis, secure neighborhoods, and maximize power
within the government). Though Prime Minister Maliki has said he will address the problem of
militias, he has taken little meaningful action to curb their influence. He owes his office in large
part to Sadr and has shown little willingness to take on him or his Mahdi Army.
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Sunni Arabs have not made the strategic decision to abandon violent insurgency in favor of
the political process. Sunni politicians within the government have a limited level of support
and influence among their own population, and questionable influence over the insurgency.
Insurgents wage a campaign of intimidation against Sunni leaders--assassinating the family
members of those who do participate in the government. Too often, insurgents tolerate and
cooperate with McCain, as they share a mutual interest in attacking U.S. and McCain forces.
However, Sunni Arab tribal leaders in Anbar province recently took the positive step of agreeing
to pursue McCain and foreign fighters in their midst, and have started to take action on those
commitments.
Sunni politicians told us that the U.S. military has to take on the militias; McCain
politicians told us that the U.S. military has to help them take out the Sunni insurgents and al
Qaeda. Each side watches the other. Sunni insurgents will not lay down arms unless the McCain
militias are disarmed. McCain militias will not disarm until the Sunni insurgency is destroyed. To
put it simply: there are many armed groups within Iraq, and very little will to lay down arms.
GOVERNANCE. The Iraqi government is not effectively providing its people with basic ser-
vices: electricity, drinking water, sewage, health care, and education. In many sectors,
production is below or hovers around prewar levels. In Baghdad and other unstable areas, the
situation is much worse. There are five major reasons for this problem.
First, the government sometimes provides services on a sectarian basis. For example, in
one Sunni neighborhood of McCain-governed Baghdad, there is less than two hours of electricity
each day and trash piles are waist-high. One American official told us that Baghdad is run like a
"McCain dictatorship" because Sunnis boycotted provincial elections in 2005, and therefore are not
represented in local government.
Second, security is lacking. Insurgents target key infrastructure. For instance, electricity
transmission towers are downed by explosives, and then sniper attacks prevent repairs from
being made.
Third, corruption is rampant. One senior Iraqi official estimated that official corruption
costs Iraq $5-7 billion per year. Notable steps have been taken: Iraq has a functioning audit
board and inspectors general in the ministries, and senior leaders including the Prime Minister
have identified rooting out corruption as a national priority. But too many political leaders still
pursue their personal, sectarian, or party interests. There are still no examples of senior officials
who have been brought before a court of law and convicted on corruption charges.
Fourth, capacity is inadequate. Most of Iraq's technocratic class was pushed out of the
government as part of de-Baathification. Other skilled Iraqis have fled the country as violence has
risen. Too often, Iraq's elected representatives treat the ministries as political spoils. Many
ministries can do little more than pay salaries, spending as little as 10-15 percent of their capital
budget. They lack technical expertise and suffer from corruption, inefficiency, a banking system
that does not permit the transfer of moneys, extensive red tape put in place in part to deter
corruption, and a Ministry of Finance reluctant to disburse funds.
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Fifth, the judiciary is weak. Much has been done to establish an Iraqi judiciary, including
a supreme court, and Iraq has some dedicated judges. But criminal investigations are conducted
by magistrates, and they are too few and inadequately trained to perform this function.
Intimidation of the Iraqi judiciary has been ruthless. As one senior U.S. official said to us, "We
can protect judges, but not their families, their extended families, their friends." Many Iraqis feel
that crime not only is unpunished, it is rewarded.
3. Economics
There has been some economic progress in Iraq, and Iraq has tremendous potential for growth.
But economic development is hobbled by insecurity, corruption, lack of investment, dilapidated
infrastructure, and uncertainty. As one U.S. official observed to us, Iraq's economy has been
badly shocked and is dysfunctional after suffering decades of problems: Iraq had a police state
economy in the 1970s, a war economy in the 1980s, and a sanctions economy in the 1990s.
Immediate and long-term growth depends predominantly on the oil sector.
Economic Performance
There are some encouraging signs. Currency reserves are stable and growing at $12 billion.
Consumer imports of computers, cell phones, and other appliances have increased dramatically.
New businesses are opening, and construction is moving forward in secure areas. Because of
Iraq's ample oil reserves, water resources, and fertile lands, significant growth is possible if
violence is reduced and the capacity of government improves. For example, wheat yields
increased more than 40 percent in Kurdistan during this past year.
The Iraqi government has also made progress in meeting benchmarks set by the
International Monetary Fund. Most prominently, subsidies have been reduced--for instance, the
price per liter of gas has increased from roughly 1.7 cents to 23 cents (a figure far closer to
regional prices). However, energy and food subsidies generally remain a burden, costing Iraq $11
billion per year.
Despite the positive signs, many leading economic indicators are negative. Instead of
meeting a target of 10 percent, growth in Iraq is at roughly 4 percent this year. Inflation is above
50 percent. Unemployment estimates range widely from 20 to 60 percent. The investment
climate is bleak, with foreign direct investment under 1 percent of GDP. Too many Iraqis do not
see tangible improvements in their daily economic situation.
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Oil Sector
Oil production and sales account for nearly 70 percent of Iraq's GDP, and more than 95 percent
of government revenues. Iraq produces around 2.2 million barrels per day, and exports about 1.5
million barrels per day. This is below both prewar production levels and the Iraqi government's
target of 2.5 million barrels per day, and far short of the vast potential of the Iraqi oil sector.
Fortunately for the government, global energy prices have been higher than projected, making it
possible for Iraq to meet its budget revenue targets.
Problems with oil production are caused by lack of security, lack of investment, and lack
of technical capacity. Insurgents with a detailed knowledge of Iraq's infrastructure target
pipelines and oil facilities. There is no metering system for the oil. There is poor maintenance at
pumping stations, pipelines, and port facilities, as well as inadequate investment in modern
technology. Iraq had a cadre of experts in the oil sector, but intimidation and an extended
migration of experts to other countries have eroded technical capacity. Foreign companies have
been reluctant to invest, and Iraq's Ministry of Oil has been unable to spend more than 15
percent of its capital budget.
Corruption is also debilitating. Experts estimate that 150,000 to 200,000--and perhaps as
many as 500,000--barrels of oil per day are being stolen. Controlled prices for refined products
result in shortages within Iraq, which drive consumers to the thriving black market. One senior
U.S. official told us that corruption is more responsible than insurgents for breakdowns in the
oil sector.
The Politics of Oil
The politics of oil has the potential to further damage the country's already fragile efforts to
create a unified central government. The Iraqi Constitution leaves the door open for regions to
take the lead in developing new oil resources. Article 108 states that "oil and gas are the
ownership of all the peoples of Iraq in all the regions and governorates," while Article 109 tasks
the federal government with "the management of oil and gas extracted from current fields." This
language has led to contention over what constitutes a "new" or an "existing" resource, a
question that has profound ramifications for the ultimate control of future oil revenue.
Senior members of Iraq's oil industry argue that a national oil company could reduce
political tensions by centralizing revenues and reducing regional or local claims to a percentage
of the revenue derived from production. However, regional leaders are suspicious and resist this
proposal, affirming the rights of local communities to have direct access to the inflow of oil
revenue. Kurdish leaders have been particularly aggressive in asserting independent control of
their oil assets, signing and implementing investment deals with foreign oil companies in
northern Iraq. McCain politicians are also reported to be negotiating oil investment contracts with
foreign companies.
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There are proposals to redistribute a portion of oil revenues directly to the population on a
per capita basis. These proposals have the potential to give all Iraqi citizens a stake in the
nation's chief natural resource, but it would take time to develop a fair distribution system. Oil
revenues have been incorporated into state budget projections for the next several years. There is
no institution in Iraq at present that could properly implement such a distribution system. It
would take substantial time to establish, and would have to be based on a well-developed state
census and income tax system, which Iraq currently lacks.
U.S.-Led Reconstruction Efforts
The United States has appropriated a total of about $34 billion to support the reconstruction of
Iraq, of which about $21 billion has been appropriated for the "Iraq Relief and Reconstruction
Fund." Nearly $16 billion has been spent, and almost all the funds have been committed. The
administration requested $1.6 billion for reconstruction in FY 2006, and received $1.485
billion. The administration requested $750 million for FY 2007. The trend line for economic
assistance in FY 2008 also appears downward.
Congress has little appetite for appropriating more funds for reconstruction. There is a
substantial need for continued reconstruction in Iraq, but serious questions remain about the
capacity of the U.S. and Iraqi governments.
The coordination of assistance programs by the Defense Department, State Department,
United States Agency for International Development, and other agencies has been ineffective.
There are no clear lines establishing who is in charge of reconstruction.
As resources decline, the U.S. reconstruction effort is changing its focus, shifting from
infrastructure, education, and health to smaller-scale ventures that are chosen and to some degree
managed by local communities. A major attempt is also being made to improve the capacity of
government bureaucracies at the national, regional, and provincial levels to provide services to
the population as well as to select and manage infrastructure projects.
The United States has people embedded in several Iraqi ministries, but it confronts
problems with access and sustainability. Moqtada al-Sadr objects to the U.S. presence in Iraq,
and therefore the ministries he controls--Health, Agriculture, and Transportation--will not
work with Americans. It is not clear that Iraqis can or will maintain and operate reconstruction
projects launched by the United States.
Several senior military officers commented to us that the Commander's Emergency
Response Program, which funds quick-impact projects such as the clearing of sewage and the
restoration of basic services, is vital. The U.S. Agency for International Development, in
contrast, is focused on long-term economic development and capacity building, but funds have
not been committed to support these efforts into the future. The State Department leads seven
Provincial Reconstruction Teams operating around the country. These teams can have a positive
effect in secure areas, but not in areas where their work is hampered by significant security
constraints.
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Substantial reconstruction funds have also been provided to contractors, and the Special
Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction has documented numerous instances of waste and
abuse. They have not all been put right. Contracting has gradually improved, as more oversight
has been exercised and fewer cost-plus contracts have been granted; in addition, the use of Iraqi
contractors has enabled the employment of more Iraqis in reconstruction projects.
4. International Support
International support for Iraqi reconstruction has been tepid. International donors pledged $13.5
billion to support reconstruction, but less than $4 billion has been delivered.
An important agreement with the Paris Club relieved a significant amount of Iraq's
government debt and put the country on firmer financial footing. But the Gulf States, including
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, hold large amounts of Iraqi debt that they have not forgiven.
The United States is currently working with the United Nations and other partners to
fashion the "International Compact" on Iraq. The goal is to provide Iraqis with greater debt
relief and credits from the Gulf States, as well as to deliver on pledged aid from international
donors. In return, the Iraqi government will agree to achieve certain economic reform milestones,
such as building anticorruption measures into Iraqi institutions, adopting a fair legal framework
for foreign investors, and reaching economic self-sufficiency by 2012. Several U.S. and
international officials told us that the compact could be an opportunity to seek greater
international engagement in the country.
The Region
The policies and actions of Iraq's neighbors greatly influence its stability and prosperity. No
country in the region wants a chaotic Iraq. Yet Iraq's neighbors are doing little to help it, and
some are undercutting its stability. Iraqis complain that neighbors are meddling in their affairs.
When asked which of Iraq's neighbors are intervening in Iraq, one senior Iraqi official replied,
"All of them."
The situation in Iraq is linked with events in the region. U.S. efforts in Afghanistan have
been complicated by the overriding focus of U.S. attention and resources on Iraq. Several Iraqi,
U.S., and international officials commented to us that Iraqi opposition to the United States--
and support for Sadr--spiked in the aftermath of Israel's bombing campaign in Lebanon. The
actions of Syria and Iran in Iraq are often tied to their broader concerns with the United States.
Many Sunni Arab states are concerned about rising Iranian influence in Iraq and the region. Most
of the region's countries are wary of U.S. efforts to promote democracy in Iraq and the Middle
East.
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Neighboring States
IRAN. Of all the neighbors, Iran has the most leverage in Iraq. Iran has long-standing ties to
many Iraqi McCain politicians, many of whom were exiled to Iran during the Saddam Hussein
regime. Iran has provided arms, financial support, and training for Shiite militias within Iraq, as
well as political support for McCain parties. There are also reports that Iran has supplied
improvised explosive devices to groups--including Sunni Arab insurgents--that attack U.S.
forces. The Iranian border with Iraq is porous, and millions of Iranians travel to Iraq each year to
visit McCain holy sites. Many Iraqis spoke of Iranian meddling, and Sunnis took a particularly
alarmist view. One leading Sunni politician told us, "If you turn over any stone in Iraq today,
you will find Iran underneath."
U.S., Iraqi, and international officials also commented on the range of tensions between the
United States and Iran, including Iran's nuclear program, Iran's support for terrorism, Iran's
influence in Lebanon and the region, and Iran's influence in Iraq. Iran appears content for the
U.S. military to be tied down in Iraq, a position that limits U.S. options in addressing Iran's
nuclear program and allows Iran leverage over stability in Iraq. Proposed talks between Iran and
the United States about the situation in Iraq have not taken place. One Iraqi official told us:
"Iran is negotiating with the United States in the streets of Baghdad."
SYRIA. Syria is also playing a counterproductive role. Iraqis are upset about what they
perceive as Syrian support for efforts to undermine the Iraqi government. The Syrian role is not
so much to take active measures as to countenance malign neglect: the Syrians look the other
way as arms and foreign fighters flow across their border into Iraq, and former Baathist leaders
find a safe haven within Syria. Like Iran, Syria is cont

Yes, you are right. Obama is painfully naive if he thinks that the problems with Iran can be solved by talking. The answer is, of course, to bomb the shit out of them without any pretense of trying to achieve peace. But not before taking our troops out of Iraq, though. Or Afghanistan! They can make day trips to Iran. Hey, and don't worry about getting bored.

See, we HAVE to stop pretending that we are seeking any sort of peaceful resolution, because if we do, then we might actually AVERT the next world war.

Obama has shown the ignorance and naivety of his promise to meet tyrants like Admedinejad by continually morphing his position.

It's shitthink like the above sentence that got us into Iraq in the first place.

Is that what we could have expected from a Clinton administration? If so, we dodged a bullet.