Iraq Archives - Page 37 of 91 - Foreign Policy In Focus

A Forensic Anatomy of the Strategy for ‘Victory’

by John Gershman, Col. Daniel Smith (Ret.) | Dec 21, 2005

The MO–method of operation or, more formally, modus operandi–is clear from even the most cursory look at the externals. Put Commander-in-Chief George Bush in front of an audience that is sure to be friendly (like military cadets), test the themes, wait for the inevitable applause, and depart right after the speech. Progressively move on to fora less hand-picked but sure to contain a number of individuals sympathetic to the White House line. Above all, sound resolute (like Churchill), stand tall, and be assured that there’s no such thing as too much repetition.

KQED Forum: Iraqi Elections

by Erik Leaver, Foreign Policy In Focus | Dec 2, 2005

Adapted from a session of KQED’s Forum hosted by Michael Krasny. Four guests from across the political spectrum debate the meaning of the results of the elections and the future of Iraq and U.S. military involvement there.

Administration Still Doesnt Recognize the Main Factor in the War

by Erik Leaver, Emily Schwartz Greco | Nov 30, 2005

President Bush’s speech, outlining a “Strategy for Victory in Iraq” at the U.S. Naval Academy on November 30, 2005, failed to take the opportunity created by the public and the U.S. Congress to engage in a real debate about the Iraq War. Instead Bush put forth a new glossy covered report, polished off some old rhetoric and continued to give a view of the Iraq War clouded by rose colored glasses. Vowing to “Stay the Course” the President made clear that the administration still doesn’t recognize the main factor in the war—that the occupation is driving the resistance.

Can the Iraqi Insurgency be Neutralized?

by Erik Leaver, Adil E. Shamoo | Nov 21, 2005

In the wake of the 2,000th U.S. soldier dying because of the Iraq War, the Bush administration has begun to count the number of Iraqi dead and captured. These metrics, reminiscent of those used in the Vietnam War, will be touted by the administration as an indicator of success for military operations and to give the impression that the insurgency can be neutralized.

Congress Begins to "Change the Course" in Iraq

by Erik Leaver, Emily Schwartz Greco | Nov 17, 2005

Falling in line with the peace movement and public opinion, the Senate has finally taken a small but a symbolically important step to challenge President George W. Bush’s policy in Iraq. Lawmakers approved legislation that endorses a "phased redeployment of United States forces" from Iraq.

A Constitution of Trouble

by Andrew Arato, Erik Leaver | Oct 12, 2005

Iraqi negotiators reached a compromise on the constitution on Tuesday October 11, 2005 bringing the support of at least one major Sunni group before Saturday’s vote. But the supposed compromise merely kicks the can down the road, leaving the real questions at hand untouched.

Bush Again Resorts to Fear-Mongering to Justify Iraq Policy

by Emily Schwartz Greco, Stephen Zunes | Oct 12, 2005

President George W. Bush’s October 6 address at the National Endowment for Democracy illustrated his administration’s increasingly desperate effort to justify the increasingly unpopular U.S. war in Iraq. The speech focused upon the Bush administration’s claim that the Iraqi insurgency against U.S. occupation forces somehow constituted a grave threat to the security of the United States and the entire civilized world.

The "New" Iraq: Discovery or Invention

by John Gershman, Col. Daniel Smith (Ret.) | Oct 12, 2005

Random thought: Columbus Day is here again.

How Basra Slipped Out of Control: Portent in the Shiite South?

by Erik Leaver, Gareth Porter | Oct 12, 2005

To understand just how tenuous the U.S. position in Iraq is at the moment, we have only to look at the way Basra, Iraq’s second largest city, in the solidly Shiite South slipped out of the control of occupation forces last month.