It has been almost a year since Gen. David Petraeus was sent to Baghdad armed with a temporary increase in manpower (the "surge") and a mandate to reverse the escalating security crisis that seemed sure to cripple the new Iraq.

Now, as the five additional brigades that comprised the surge complete their tours and return home, we can begin to evaluate the results of this effort and consider how best to achieve our long-term strategic goals in Iraq and in the broader Middle East.

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