Status Check: Iraq

I've been reading a number of articles lately (see here, here, and here) that I believe rightly declare that with the withdrawal of American troops from Iraqi urban centers, an early step in our eventual exit strategy, the US has achieved victory in Iraq. These articles also make the tragic observation that as recent as two years ago, very few people were saying that anything resembling what we see now in Iraq was possible. In fact, most people were saying the exact opposite, throwing patience and rationality to the wind and succumbing to selfishness by demanding that we withdraw immediately. For the sake of the Iraqi people and the greater Middle East, I'm very glad that George W. Bush did not cave in to popular opinion, which in that moment was very misguided.

While our foolish media was caught up in the storm surrounding the King of Pop's death, as well as a few other tabloid-y stories like Palin's resignation, our brave men and women were being moved out of cities all throughout the nascent democracy in the heart of the Middle East. They've fought valiantly and with grit, showing tremendous skill and an ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances. It seems like no one is paying attention to their victory. Of course our men and women in uniform would never seek to be honored or demand recognition for their accomplishments; this is not the character of our soldiers. Regardless of this fact, their blood and sweat and toiling in the desert heat in the name of democracy and security for Iraq's people, and their success in achieving these goals, requires that we appreciate these tremendous achievements. And if neither CNN nor MSNBC nor ABC nor NBC will recognize this fact, I will: Thank you to all of the American servicemen and women who contributed to this effort. You have done exceedingly well, and the world is safer for it. The mission is not yet finished, but an important milestone has been reached.

On to Afghanistan.