"One strategic imperative, however, should be beyond partisan debate: the need to keep squeezing al-Qaeda in Iraq. The war’s critics are correct in pointing out that there were no al-Qaeda acolytes in Iraq before we invaded. But they’re there now, and al-Qaeda’s high command has designated Iraq as the critical battle in its war on America. That salafi fanatics are losing the fight for Sunni hearts and minds in Iraq cannot fail to be a demoralizing blow to the global jihadi movement."
 
One question I have about the situation in Iraq that no source I've seen so far seems to really address. One thing we did to put a lid on Iraq during the surge was to significantly increase the number of Iraqis in prison. How much is the tamp down in violence a result of those people no longer being in circulation? What happens when you release those people? What progress have you really made if the progress you've made is based on putting your political opposition in jail? I don't know the answers to those questions, but the answers should be part of our discussion of whether the "surge" is working, in my opinion.

Read the rest of the article here.

http://www.the-american-interest.com/ai2/article.cfm?Id=398&MId=18