 |
F
or more than two years, the heart of U.S. military strategy in Iraq has been "Iraqization," the creation of an effective Iraqi security force that can take the place of U.S. Marines and soldiers. Thereby, the United States can eventually withdraw without leaving behind a terrorist safe haven and fractured Iraq. A wide range of military officers, policymakers, and scholars argue that through re-invigorated American efforts at training, equipping, and advising the Iraqi Army, any shortcomings in the Iraqi security forces can be overcome. Even Democrats who oppose the surge strategy support Iraqization, contending that Iraqi security forces are perfectly capable of suppressing violence now but that only when the United States "stands down" will they truly "stand up."
Between February 2004 and February 2005, and later from February to August 2006, I served as an advisor to the I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) in Al Anbar province. During that time ...
Please log in to read the rest of this article
and have FREE access to all Democracy content.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Carter Malkasian directs the Stability and Development program at the Center for Naval Analyses. From 2004 to 2006 he served as an adviser on counterinsurgency to the I Marine Expeditionary Force. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Center for Naval Analyses or the U.S. Marine Corps.
The Lion at Rest
Thomas Oliphant: Ted Kennedy's greatness lay in his surprisingly rigorous self-awareness.
Out of the Rubble
Amy Wilentz: Do we create more caring communities in the wake of natural catastrophes? Depends on what "we" you mean.
The Courage of Our Contradictions
William Galston: A new liberalism must reflect not only on our permanent beliefs, but also on many Americans' reservations about them. A response to E.J. Dionne, Jr.
Clinton's Foundations
Matthew Cooper: Bill Clinton acted on principle far more often than you may think.
German Lessons
Clay Risen: Should progressives frustrated with our democracy pine for a parliamentary system? In a word—nein.
That Old College Lie
Kevin Carey: Are our colleges teaching students well? No. But here's how to make them.
The Next War on Poverty
Peter Edelman: Conventional wisdom aside, some '60s-era inner-city programs have been a success. Now it's time for Obama to launch phase two.
Federalism and Its Discontents
Greg Anrig: The states are drowning. The best life-preserver that Washington can throw at them is to take over Medicaid.
The Cairo Conundrum
Shadi Hamid: Egypt is the linchpin to America's Middle East policy—a policy that must make interests reinforce ideals, rather than conflict with them.
Obama Proposes Consumer Financial Protection Agency
News: President Barack Obama has proposed the creation of a Consumer Financial Protection Agency, an idea first written about in Democracy.
Michael Tomasky to Become Editor of Democracy
News: Michael Tomasky, a highly respected writer and editor with more than 20 years' experience covering American politics and helping to define and update progressive ideas, will join Democracy: A Journal of Ideas as its Editor.
|
|
