Totten Talks Progress In Anbar Province
By Justin Gardner | Related entries in Blogging, Iraq, The War On Terrorism, The World, WarAs always, Michael Totten gives us some of the personal and honest coverage around…
FALLUJAH – The United States military plans to formally hand over Anbar Province to the Iraqis this spring because the insurgency truly is finished in that part of the country. Most Americans have heard about the success in this province by now, but few seem to be aware that the cities of Anbar were the scenes of the most ferocious fighting: Ramadi, Haditha, and – worst of all – Fallujah.The Americans in Fallujah are focused now on what they expect to be their last mission: the training of the Iraqi Police to replace the Marines.
Optimism and cynicism exist side by side. All the Americans I spoke to said the Iraqi Police are improving. Most are cautiously optimistic about their ability to stand on their own – later. Hope comes naturally in Fallujah right now because even this place, of all places, is peaceful and quiet. But a substantial minority has serious reservations after spending some quality time with Iraqis.
“We should have just left Saddam in power,†said an MP from the Texas National Guard who did not want to be named. “That’s all these people understand.â€
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