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10/02/2004: "Success in Samarra"

From Belmont Club:

The view that Iraq is descending into a quagmire represents a valid concern, but it ignores three crucial achievements by US policymakers.

1. The piecemeal defeat of the threatened Sunni-Shi'ite uprising in April by holding the Sunnis fixed while militarily and politically defeating Moqtada Al-Sadr;
2. Rebuilding the Iraqi Army from a near-zero condition in April; and
3. Establishing an interim Iraqi government.

Both Saddam and Sadr believed they could outmaneuver the Americans, who were, if the press is to be believed, singularly lacking in nuance and intelligence. Doubtless Zarqawi believes he can do the same. Long may he cherish that hope.