None.
Tops might be that we now decisively, clearly have our public face against Iran, with intelligence (*cough*) that is "undeniable" of Iran's involvement in ... what the CIA did for years, frankly.
Otherwise, if you didn't know, we're in a q-u-a-g-m-i-r-e and the GOP keeps finding ways to dramatize that, the latest focus on Iran and on Iraq as a "failed state", rather than losing to al-qa'ida. Al-qa'ida have been whooped or nearly whooped or whooped enough to go back to 12 month dwelltimes for deployed soldiers, effectively recanting on the most-effective surge.
In 2005, when we were told that things were turning the corner, we now know that al-qa'ida even had control in some places, not just presence. [Puts a bit of a dent in the Petraeus brain-trust narrative that the Samarra bombing, Feb06, was done from a position of weakness.]
Other:
Violent, prologued nation-building continues to be costless. "Battlefield Geometry", etc. shapes the conditions that shape the judgments about when violent, prologued nation-building can end. As Petreaus describes it, troops come from the Keebler elves at 'the Army' (as if he doesn't know what is possible!).
Crocker assures us it is "worth it". In actuality, the $500+ billion it will take to 'finish the job' might just bring us energy independence. Adjusted for current dollars, that sum equates to the lion's share of the entire cost of the American "welfare state" (a.k.a., "aid to families with dependent children")... Nice try, though. Still, the Iraqis have a new flag this year. :-)
Gains are "reversible", but we have to stay. It is "not responsible" (Petreaus) to adopt a posture other than conditions-based withdrawal. So, whether you believe "gains" can be consolidated or not, we have to stay.
If al-Sadr is trying to set himself up, first to become an Ayatollah and then to lead the next Islamic revolution, Crocker thinks that he has miscalculated... Recall Khomeini led the revolt in Iran via videotape from his Paris launchpad [those damn French].
Paying people off helps to stabilize mid-east countries, especially those in which people were on the government gravy-train for years (and sought government jobs for the payout, even, as a matter of pride). Surprise and Horrors!
We can feel good about morale of the army because of the "Brotherhood of the close fight". The cost of holding the other end of that baton - and there is one - is ... deferred. That includes not just the structural costs of conflict (Webb's "GI Bill", etc.), but also the social costs (luckily, today's army doesn't appear to be turning out a bunch of homophobes, who will go on to positions of responsibility.)
other other:
Detention is reportedly going much better (however, few realize the sheer scale of the detention operations going on in Iraq and no one questioned it). Apparently, we now know enough to be able to segregate the takfiris (called "irreconcilables") from the rest.
background:
Crocker's statement
Petreaus' statement, charts
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Major Developments in USA's Most Excellent Mideast Adventure
