IRAQ: Is the war over? Bing West says yes

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In an op-ed in today’s Wall Street Journal, author Bing West argues that the war in Iraq is essentially over but that a reduced American force will be needed for several more years as Iraqis gain confidence.

West, a former Marine and assistant secretary of defense in the Reagan administration, is a close and detailed chronicler of the war from ground level: 15 extended trips, two well-received books, and a third, ‘The Strongest Tribe: War, Politics and the Endgame in Iraq’ set to hit bookstores this week.

In the past, he has been critical of aspects of the political posturing of the Bush administration and the military’s handling of the war. Now he argues that America has gotten it right and that, in alliance with the tribal sheiks and Iraqi security forces, the insurgency is all but vanquished.

While squabbling among Iraqi politicians is frustrating to Americans, it has not prevented progress, West says. Still, he warns that an overly rapid drawdown of forces that is driven by U.S. politics could unravel the success.

‘A stable Iraq keeps faith with a million American soldiers who fought there, sets back Iran’s aggression, and makes our enemies in Afghanistan and elsewhere fear us. It’s time we stopped debating about yesterday and displayed national pride in our soldiers.’

--Tony Perry, in San Diego