Bad news continues all around from both these countries. I won't even write about the innocent civilians that continue to be killed in both countries (whether by insurgents or the US army there, they are a direct consequence of the US army being in those areas) - except to provide these two pretty neat data-rich pages by BBC on the violence in and around Baghdad since 2003 and overall data for the violence in Iraq.
The first bad news is that Al Qaeda has been able to regroup along the Afghan-Pakistani border despite nearly six years of bombings, war and other tactics aimed at crippling it. Still, numerous government officials say they know of no specific, credible threat of a new attack on U.S. soil.
The second bad news is that opium is back with a vengeance in Afghanistan... with a UN report couple weeks back indicating this year's crops are at record-high levels - far greater than before the Taliban came to power. (If there was one half-decent thing the Taliban did, it was to expunge all opium production, albeit through repressive means.) Also see this detailed 233 page Afghanistan Opium industry report from the World Bank.
And "bad" news is an understatement for Iraq. News from Iraq, perhaps expectedly, keeps getting more dismal.... though with every passing day, one wonders how much worse it can get. And then we find out how ...
Like in Afghanistan, Al Qaeda and its affiliates are as strong as ever in Iraq too, with June this year being the most violent month since the US "occupation", averaging an unbelievable 178 attacks a day! And the bad (worse) news is that some military experts believe Al Qaeda will further "lash out" in Iraq! Bush, OTOH, has claimed even two weeks back that Al Qaeda is on the run in Iraq.
Bush plans falling short again...
For the past six weeks, the National Security Network has been systematically evaluating the progress that is being made in Iraq on the 18 benchmarks outlined by the President and Congress.
According to his plan, the Iraqi government would assume greater responsibility for providing security and take complete control of security in November 2007. The improved security situation would allow for more political space where deals could be struck on key political benchmarks that would bring about national reconciliation
Since the President announced his "surge" policy, more than 25,000 troops have been sent to Iraq, approximately 600 have been killed and more than 3,000 have been wounded. Meanwhile, Americans are now spending $10 billion per month on the war.
Unfortunately, this investment has yielded no real progress. The President's policies have failed to bring security to Iraq.
According to his plan, the Iraqi government would assume greater responsibility for providing security and take complete control of security in November 2007. The improved security situation would allow for more political space where deals could be struck on key political benchmarks that would bring about national reconciliation
Since the President announced his "surge" policy, more than 25,000 troops have been sent to Iraq, approximately 600 have been killed and more than 3,000 have been wounded. Meanwhile, Americans are now spending $10 billion per month on the war.
Unfortunately, this investment has yielded no real progress. The President's policies have failed to bring security to Iraq.
The interim progress report on Iraq that was released this week concludes that the U.S.-backed government in Baghdad has not met any of its targets for political, economic and other reform. (Monitor the effects of the Bush "surge" plan and its to date.)
Bush, in try Dubya fashion, has tried to move the goalposts .. perhaps hoping, what with short public memories, to rewrite history later and recast these failures as a success! Actually just found they are already broadcasting their version of reality even as they try to move the goalposts claiming they have met 8 of 18 benchmarks!
Also, this from a press-release yesterday...straight from the Whitehouse webpage!
Iraq Fact Check: Responding to Key Myths
1. MYTH: The war “is lost.”
2. MYTH: U.S. troops in Iraq are not fighting al Qaeda terrorists, just policing a Shiite vs. Sunni “civil war."
....and so on - 13 points of dispelling "myths" (and replacing them with their half-truths and lies!)
All this while keeping on regurgitating old lies - Bush continues to talk about the fight in Iraq as a battle against "the same people that attacked us on September the 11th."
Meanwhile, a NYT Oped (July 7, 2007) clamors: Leave Iraq Now and today a Washington Post Oped today (July 11, 2007) opines - Iraq: Go deep or get out.
Bush has, however, promised to veto any legislation that sets a date for withdrawal...as he claims such a premature withdrawal will lead to civil war and chaos - even worse than it is today, if that can be imagined! (Here is an interesting "reality check" about the Iraqi withdrawal debate)
A look at all these massive problems that Bush will leave for whoever ends up taking his place has made Paul Light of New York University opine that "I can't think of a single modern president about to bequeath to his successor such a difficult agenda and such a damaged presidency."
Phew...enough now. If all this has not left you depressed... I am sorry. We can hide or ignore these facts by tuning in to 'Harry Potter' midnight showings (that have raked in $12 million in sales!)but this is the reality we live in
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