National Security

When General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker presented their first report to Congress six months ago, Congressional Democrats made every effort to discredit their assessment of conditions and progress in Iraq.  Both men were accused of being nothing more than mouthpieces for the Bush Administration and negative opinions were formed about their testimony before it was even delivered to Congress. 

This second time around, Democrats changed their strategy.  But rather than attacking the credibility of Petraeus and Crocker, they turned their attention to the U.S. mission in Iraq and questioned whether – instead of how – victory can be achieved.  While General Petraeus acknowledged that recent gains in Iraq are “fragile and reversible,” there is no question that security conditions have markedly improved under the General’s leadership.

Soon after the deployment of an additional 20,000 combat troops to stabilize and secure Iraq, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had declared the war “lost.”  Senator Reid and other like-minded Democrats, however, have since been proven wrong. 

Over the last fifteen months, there have been significant military, political and economic advancements in Iraq.  And American troops have assumed less of a direct combat role throughout the country, providing invaluable mentorship and support to Iraq’s steadily maturing security force.

Until Prime Minister Maliki launched his offensive against criminal elements in Basra late last month, overall violence levels had decreased to levels that were last seen consistently in early 2005.  Since June, nationwide attacks had fallen by more than 60 percent, civilian and coalition deaths had dropped by more than 70 percent, and deaths from ethno-sectarian violence were down about 90 percent.  Security incidents in al-Anbar Province—a province previously considered lost to al-Qaeda in Iraq—had decreased about 90 percent since January 2007.               

Some media outlets and self described experts consider the recent operations in Basra and elsewhere in Iraq as evidence that Prime Minister Maliki is incapable of leading effectively.  I disagree.

These operations demonstrate the willingness of the Iraqi government and its security forces to do the very things that we have been pressing them to do—most importantly, to take responsibility for their own security. 

In fact, Operation Charge of the Knights, which targeted subversive criminal elements in Basra, was planned, timed and executed by Iraq’s civilian and military leadership, with coalition forces in support.  The Iraqi forces may not have performed as well as we would have liked, but, as stated by General Petraeus, the Iraqi forces demonstrated their ability to successfully “deploy substantial numbers of units, supplies and replacements on very short notice.”  He also made it clear that these forces can now move around the country and engage the enemy better than they could just one year ago.

Iraq’s security forces and civilian leadership learned valuable lessons from recent operations in Basra.  And as they assume more of the security responsibility, their chain of command will only continue to strengthen and Iraq’s security forces will gain invaluable combat experience.

Recent gains in Iraq provide every indication that Iraq’s security forces are becoming increasingly more capable of taking the lead.  These gains have created space to allow the Iraqi government to enact the necessary de-Baathification, provincial powers and pension laws, their 2008 budget and continue work on provincial elections and hydrocarbon laws.  For a new democracy, these are important achievements.

Mission success in Iraq will ultimately be determined by the standup of the Iraqi Security Forces and how well they confront the security challenges that will continue to exist well after American troops rotate off the battlefield.  It is therefore important that we continue supporting the Maliki government and help its security forces mature.

We are making progress in Iraq under General Petraeus’ leadership.  Congressional Democrats would be wise to listen to what he has to say and take his report and subsequent recommendations seriously.

Congressman Duncan Hunter represents California's 52nd Congressional District and currently serves as ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee.  He is a Vietnam veteran, who served in the 173rd Airborne and 75th Army Rangers. Read more here.