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February 9, 2007

General Petraeus' Real Problem Isn't Iraq

Amir Taheri writes that Petraeus begins his mission with three advantages over his predecessors, and that he's certain to win in Baghdad - just as Gens. Tommy Frank, Rick Sanchez and Casey did in different contexts. The real question is whether or not Washington will allow his win to be recognized as victory?

The one factor that can ensure Petraeus success is the perception that the United States is united in its commitment to the new Iraq that America has helped create from the ruins of the Saddamite tyranny.

The insurgents, the al Qaeda terrorists and the Shiite militias know that they can't win in military terms. What they hope for is to win politically - that is to say, ensuring defeat and humiliation for the United States.

Ayman al-Zawahiri, al Qaeda's chief theoretician, has repeatedly said that the key aim of his so-called jihad in Iraq is to force the Americans to run away, as the Soviets did from Afghanistan in 1989.

The reference to Afghanistan is interesting.

Posted by Mike in Iraq at February 9, 2007 4:56 PM

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