Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Buchanan, a deputy commander of the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division and of the U.S. military command for the Baghdad area, speaks with an Iraqi farmer, Tuesday. July 15, 2008, in an area about five miles east of the town of Latifiyah - that until recent months was a stronghold for al-Qaidai in Iraq. (AP Photo/Robert Burns) From Yahoo News/AP:
COMBAT OUTPOST COPPER, Iraq - It's quiet around here in farm country, south of Baghdad where al-Qaida once held sway. Just months ago U.S. foot patrols through the wheat fields nearby would regularly draw fire — if the soldiers managed first to elude al-Qaida-planted roadside bombs.
"The difference is night and day," says Capt. George Morris, 26. He and his soldiers in Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division walked the area this week to visit a handful of farm families five miles east of the town of Latifiyah, not far from the Tigris River.
And it's not just here. Throughout the country, al-Qaida in Iraq, an insurgent organization thought to be affiliated with the global terrorist network but comprised mainly of Iraqis, has lost so much clout it is close to becoming irrelevant to the outcome of the war. The group has not been eliminated, however, leaving open the possibility of resurgence if the Iraqi government fails to follow up the military gains with civilian services like the irrigation that's badly needed here.
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My Comment: People are sick of war. The U.S. military has shown to the Iraqi people and Al Qaeda that they have the will and determination to win. After 5 years of war that point has been driven home.
The next battle in Iraq will be political. Who gets what. Who gets what resources. Who controls the money .... etc..
As for Al Qaeda their next battle is Afghanistan, with some international terrorism thrown in.
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