One Utah

Today, we learned about a new report on the Iraq fiasco, Choosing War: The Decision to Invade Iraq and Its Aftermath (PDF) from the Institute for National Strategic Studies of the National Defense University. The author is Joseph Collins, the former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Stability Operations.

Here are the first two paragraphs of the Collins report (with factual updates):

Measured in blood and treasure, the war in Iraq has achieved the status of a major war and a major debacle. As of fall 2007, this conflict has cost the United States over 3,800 dead and over 28,000 wounded [update: 4,037 dead and 29,628 wounded]. Allied casualties accounted for another 300 dead. Iraqi civilian deaths–mostly at the hands of other Iraqis–may number as high as 82,000. Over 7,500 Iraqi soldiers and police officers have also been killed. Fifteen percent of the Iraqi population has become refugees or displaced persons [most recent estimates: 2.5 million refugees and 2.4 million IDPs, 18 percent of Iraq's pre-war population]. The Congressional Research Service estimates that the United States now spends over $10 billion per month on the war, and that the total, direct U.S. costs from March 2003 to July 2007 have exceeded $450 billion [now $512 billion], all of which has been covered by deficit spending. No one as yet has calculated the costs of long-term veterans’ benefits or the total impact on Service personnel and materiel.

The war’s political impact also has been great. Globally, U.S. standing among friends and allies has fallen. Our status as a moral leader has been damaged by the war, the subsequent occupation of a Muslim nation, and various issues concerning the treatment of detainees. At the same time, operations in Iraq have had a negative impact on all other efforts in the war on terror, which must bow to the priority of Iraq when it comes to manpower, materiel, and the attention of decision makers. Our Armed Forces– especially the Army and Marine Corps–have been severely strained by the war in Iraq. Compounding all of these problems, our efforts there were designed to enhance U.S. national security, but they have become, at least temporarily, an incubator for terrorism and have emboldened Iran to expand its influence throughout the Middle East.

The definition of “debacle” is “a total, often ludicrous failure.” It seems the Pentagon won’t deny it any longer.

Slowly, our government is catching up with the public. By a 2-1 margin, Americans reject the idea that the outcome in Iraq is important to our national security. While President Bush remains committed to keeping more than 100,000 U.S. troops in Iraq through the rest of his presidency, 56 percent of Americans say the United States should withdraw its military forces now to avoid further casualties. This has been the majority view since January 2007.

Bush has completely run out of slogans. He now prattles, “my measure of success is victory - and success.”

Yet some on the right-wing blogs cling fervently to the dreams of aggressive war, endless occupation, and infinite sacrifice. Nothing is impossible if you don’t have to do it yourself!

DISCLAIMER: On another blog, someone has jumped to the conclusion that because I approvingly quoted part of the Collins report, I must therefore agree with everything in the report. I do not. Collins aptly describes the deep hole we have dug for ourselves in Iraq, however in my opinion his report goes on to call for more shovels when ladders are required.

UPDATE: Collins argues that he was quoted out of context by the news media.

This entry was posted Friday, April 18th, 2008 at 12:11 pm and is filed under Disaster, Iraq, Military, National Politics, Terrorism, War. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.