What a difference a year makes. A year ago, President Bush over-ruled his political and military advisers and ordered the military to implement a new Iraq war strategy dubbed “the surge.” Bush was nearly alone believing that the new strategy would work, but being the President, he was really the only one that counted. That’s important to consider heading into this year’s presidential election and not only demonstrates the importance/power of the office of Commander-in-Chief but also shows the leadership and character needed to make tough decisions and remain steadfast even when polls and political opposition are against you.
A year ago, former Fort Leavenworth commander General Petraeus took command, implementing the surge counter-insurgency doctrine he helped develop. Things looked bleak, and the general himself was cautious in his assessment.
A year ago, problems in Iraq and the casualty count were part of the nightly news drumbeat. Today, Iraq war coverage is sparse, with casualty rates low and conflict subsiding. They say no news is good news but one would hope good news for the good guys would have more market appeal even if it doesn’t advance a liberal media agenda.
A year ago, a newly elected Democrat majority Congress took power and the presidential primary season commenced in earnest. The defining issue was said to be the war in Iraq, though today the issue gets scant mention, let alone in-depth discussion, at presidential candidate debates. Nothing squelches debate like success.
A year ago Democrats united in seeking withdrawal from Iraq as soon as possible—some insisted on it immediately. Congressional leaders Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid introduced multiple troop withdrawal plans but were frustrated in passing any of them. In April, encapsulating the Democrat defeatist mindset, Senate Leader Reid declared: “this war is lost, and this surge is not accomplishing anything.” In July, Representative Murtha discounted early surge progress stating: “I know this: that it’s not getting better. It’s over-optimistic. It’s an illusion.” Our own representative, Nancy Boyda, caused a stir walking out on retired Army General Keane stating “there was only so much that you could take.” His expert eyewitness testimony that with the surge U.S. forces “are on the offensive and we have the momentum” and that Baghdad “cafes, pool halls, coffee houses that I visited are full of people” didn’t meet her pre-conceived notions of the war. In September, Senator Clinton dismissed General Petraeus’ testimony stating that his Iraq progress report required “a willing suspension of disbelief” and that he had “been made the de facto spokesmen for what many of us believe to be a failed policy.” Senator Obama maintained he never supported the war and vowed to begin an immediate withdrawal if elected.
A year ago Republicans were split in their support of the president’s surge though all Republican presidential candidates, except Ron Paul, supported it. Earliest and most vocal in his support was a recognized war-hero, Senator McCain, who was an equally strong critic of the previous strategy. Demonstrating huge political courage by backing the surge, it nearly destroyed his candidacy last summer/fall. Yet today he is his party’s presumptive nominee and the only candidate left with any military service.
Today the surge is almost universally accepted as a huge military success. Kudos to our soldiers and leaders who ignored the naysayers and set about doing what it always does—focusing on the mission, doing the hard work, killing bad guys (and they are bad guys), and getting the job done. As envisioned, military success is providing the time and space needed for the Iraqi people to grow their fledgling democracy. They are rebuilding their military and police forces, and reopening their schools, markets, and businesses. Even Iraqi political progress is being made. Last week 3 key pieces of legislation (provincial elections, limited amnesty, and an oil revenue sharing budget) was passed by the Iraqi legislature.
A year from now we’ll have elected a new Commander-in- Chief. I hope it’s a person that neither abandons friends, allies and fledgling democracies, nor countenances defeat just because the going gets tough. The next president, like this one, needs the judgment, fortitude, respect, and confidence in the abilities of our military leaders to secure victory—especially when it’s clear it’s absolutely critical and possible.
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Reprinted with permission from Greg Beck. Beck is a US Army retiree who teaches at the Command and General Staff School and resides in Leavenworth, KS.
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