Lieutenant General Doug Lute is before the Senate Armed Services Committee right now to become the president’s “war czar,” coordinating interagency efforts to support the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Lute, famously, dissented from the surge. But in his written statement addressing the committee’s advance policy questions he gives a rather diplomatic answer about the surge’s progress (pdf).
I participated in the policy review prior to the President’s decision to adjust course in January 2007. During the review I registered concerns that a military “surge” would likely have only temporary and localized effects unless it were accompanied by counterpart “surges” by the Iraqi Government and other, non-military, agencies of the US Government. I also noted that our enemies in Iraq have, in effect, “a vote” and should be expected to take specific steps to counter our efforts. The new policy took such concerns into account. It is too soon to tell the outcome.
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