Petraeus, start praying

[soul4sale]

It's one more week until March. One more week until we will be forced to draw down the troops who are sitting on the lid of the pressure cooker in Iraq. The idea is to draw them down slowly by July, letting the steam escape gradually.

We might not have that luxury. The Mahdi Army is restless.

[lbreder]

Originally Posted by soul4sale

It's one more week until March. One more week until we will be forced to draw down the troops who are sitting on the lid of the pressure cooker in Iraq. The idea is to draw them down slowly by July, letting the steam escape gradually.

We might not have that luxury. The Mahdi Army is restless.

I just finished my share of work today but I think you are saying the Mahdi Army is ready to unleash it's might soon? Here is a report indicating the Mahdi Army is extending the cease fire...

Sadr confirms extension of Mahdi Army cease-fire - The Long War Journal

[forestal]

Forced to draw down troops? They don't have enough, that's the reason they'll be pulling some out.

Why don't you march your red white and blue a$$ down to the recruitment center and bolster the roster if you really want to keep the cannon fodder in Iraq.

BTW, you also seem to be implying that the success of the surge has been due to the truce that the Mahdi army has been participating in.

Originally Posted by soul4sale

It's one more week until March. One more week until we will be forced to draw down the troops who are sitting on the lid of the pressure cooker in Iraq. The idea is to draw them down slowly by July, letting the steam escape gradually.

We might not have that luxury. The Mahdi Army is restless.

[soul4sale]

Originally Posted by forestal

BTW, you also seem to be implying that the success of the surge has been due to the truce that the Mahdi army has been participating in.

I am indeed. And I think Sadr is losing his grip on the beast, despite his promises of a cease-fire extension.

As for keeping the "cannon fodder" there, I strongly doubt they think of themselves that way. Still, I think much of the "brilliance" and "success" attributed to Petreaus and the Surge will start to unravel in the coming months.