TPMmuckraker | Talking Points Memo | Jones: The Surge is Working, Let's Draw Down

Jones: The Surge is Working, Let's Draw Down

By Spencer Ackerman - September 6, 2007, 1:02PM

In this morning's testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee, the independent commission on Iraqi security forces led by retired General James Jones expressed a great deal of confidence in the Iraqi Army's growing combat capabilities and far less on those of the local police and National Police units.

But Jones wanted to make a broader point as well, one that doesn't directly relate to the state of the Iraqi security forces. Citing the "tactical successes" of the surge, Jones said, it's possible to start moving toward reduced combat missions for U.S. forces in 2008.

It's somewhat beyond the commission's purview, which had to do only with the conditions of the Iraqi military and police. But Jones said the "observable progress" of the Iraqi Army led to "some options" for U.S. forces in Iraq by early 2008, especially due to the (dubious) reduction in violence as the result of the surge. Specifically, the U.S. should -- however slowly -- begin to transition into a "strategic overwatch" role, protecting Iraqi borders and major infrastructure. Even though the Iraqi police face tremendous difficulties and the army won't be ready to act independently for at least a year, the U.S.'s "force footprint should be justified to represent an expeditionary capability and to combat the permanent-force image of an occupying power," Jones testified.

Jones didn't explicitly recommend troop reductions, which he left to the commanders on the ground when pressed by senators. Nor did he endorse setting a date for withdrawal. But Jones strongly suggested that if the surge is indeed working, the logical follow-through is to dial back the U.S. combat mission, rather than keeping the increased pace of combat operations up indefinitely. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) pointed out that Jones' testimony fit with the Iraq Study Group's recommendation last year to reduce the U.S. combat footprint.

Comments (8)

TheraP wrote on September 6, 2007 1:31 PM:

I love the logic. Yes, for whatever reason, let's draw down the troops. Some can do it for success. Others can call it failure. But if the same solution works for both, why not?

gcs wrote on September 6, 2007 2:17 PM:

But we will never, ever draw down to 0% right? Because there's still too much of "our oil" in "their ground." Stupid asses. I wonder how the average dumbass who's been sold this war on lies would react to the sight of Chinese bases on American soil.

"Gee Dad, is THAT what the insurgency is really about?"

"Yes, Timmy, but don't tell Bill O'Reilly or Rush Limbaugh or George Bush. They just can't understand anything besides empty platitudes that fit on a bumper sticker.

Jolly Ranchero wrote on September 6, 2007 2:36 PM:

Wait, what? Didn't Bush say the Surge is working, and that's why we need to keep the troops there...cuz it's working.

Now JOnes says, yeah, it's working, that's why we need to keep LESS troops there...cuz, it's working.

WTF? Excuse me while my head explodes.

Moonbat Leah wrote on September 6, 2007 2:54 PM:

It does not matter what the reason is, the fact that the Army and Marines and Reserves are broken makes it a necessity. If the Bushies want to say it is because the surge worked, fine. If the Dems want to say it is because the surge isn't working, fine. I no longer care what the reason is, I only want us to survive the rest of this adventure into hell with our backsides intact. And Jolly, my head exploded a long time ago, about the time that the first pre-emptive bombs dropped on Iraq. War Crime Trials for the lot of them. I want my country back, the one my father served 22 years in the Army for, the one that used to be the beacon of light in the world. The abuse of our Military must end. How many days left now, 501? Hope we make it.

TheraP wrote on September 6, 2007 3:08 PM:

Yes, Moonbat Leah, that's exactly my feeling!!! Who cares WHY? Logic? Illogic? If it gets us from a to b, then good! And if not yet to zero, well I say, let's get on the road and keep going.

Whether it's "spade" like the sc, or "spayed," sounds the same!

kilo wrote on September 6, 2007 6:03 PM:

they can make up whatever they want and 50% of the population will believe them without any additional thought. I still hate this country. They are finally trying to save face and get a couple votes next election, but a republican still isn't winning.

Paul wrote on September 6, 2007 11:34 PM:

I watched he hearing and saw General Jones' mouth and lips move, but he certainly did not look like a confident Marine. A whole of "maybes". Another case of the military grading its own paper.

Jowlan (sp) sounded like a Fox News commentator.

Only two guys spoke with confidence and authority: one was that DC cop, Ramsay; the other was the Navy admiral who told us the border check points did not even have electricity.

It was nice to know that Odierno has a cocktail table in his office. How come Odierno is not living in the field in a tent?

The U.S' military has been politicized.

Paul wrote on September 6, 2007 11:35 PM:

I watched the hearing and saw General Jones' mouth and lips move, but he certainly did not look like a confident Marine. A whole of "maybes". Another case of the military grading its own paper.