On April 8th and 9th, General David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker testified before Congress about the current political and security situation in Iraq. According to both officials, progress in Iraq is significant, but reversible. As a senior Army commander told me recently, “We simply cannot walk out of the Middle East now.”
Since General Petraeus’ strategy was implemented last year, violence in Iraq has declined and terrorists have been denied safe havens. In addition, the Iraqi Council of Representatives and the Presidency Council have enacted a budget and passed important laws to bring political reconciliation to Iraq. Perhaps most importantly, the government of Iraq has met twelve of the eighteen political, economic and military benchmarks established in 2007. In fact, two weeks ago, the Iraqi government responded on its own initiative to restore security to the southern Iraqi city of Basra. It is far from perfect, but the situation in Iraq is demonstratively different than it was a year ago.
During the House Armed Services Committee hearing, General Petraeus stated, “Security in Iraq is better than it was when we reported to you last September, and it is significantly better than it was fifteen months ago when Iraq was on the brink of civil war and the decision was made to deploy additional U.S. forces to Iraq.” According to Ambassador Crocker, “Immense challenges remain and progress is uneven and often frustratingly slow, but there is progress. Sustaining that progress will require continuing U.S. resolve and commitment… [but] the surge is working.”
Despite assurances of progress by these well-respected professionals, certain critics continue to blame the war in Iraq for unrelated domestic issues. Rising energy costs and the economic downturn are not results of our strategy in the Middle East. In truth, the high price of gasoline is largely a function of increased demand for oil in the global economy. The U.S. government must advocate a consistent energy strategy that effectively uses our own resources to increase energy independence and create more domestic jobs.
As progress continues to be documented in Iraq, it becomes more difficult for critics to deny that our new strategy is making a difference. Upon returning from a visit to Iraq in March, Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA) stated, “I think the violence has been significantly reduced…We've got a group now that has got the strategy right” (The Fresno Bee, 3/6/08). Rep. Jason Altmire (D-PA) admitted, “Democrats would be making a mistake if we say there haven’t been improvements” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2/22/08).
After listening to General Petraeus’ testimony, it is clear to me that turning back now will have dramatic consequences for our national security and for the future of the Middle East. It is now up to Members of Congress to ensure our troops have the resources they need to build on their determined efforts. We must continue to hold the Iraqi government responsible for the political progress necessary to complete the task and allow our troops to return home. As one of my good friends in the Army told me last week, “I want to finish this now so my children do not have to go back there in ten years.”