Wesley Clark: Bush's 'surge' will backfire
RAW STORY
Published:
Sunday January 7, 2007
 Retired General Wesley Clark, a former NATO Supreme Commander and 2004 Democratic presidential candidate, argues in a column published in the UK's Independent on Sunday. that President Bush's "'surge' will backfire."
Clark writes: "The odds are that President George Bush will announce a 'surge' of up to 20,000 additional US troops in Iraq. But why? Will this deliver a 'win'? The answers: a combination of misunderstanding and desperation; and, probably not."
On Sunday, another UK paper, The Observer reports that "leaks and statements in Washington and Baghdad ahead of [Bush's] announcement, expected on Tuesday," indicate that the escalation may be as high as 30,000.
Clark believes that the Bush's "surge" – nicknamed the "McCain doctrine" by 2004 and 2008 Democratic presidential candidate and former Senator John Edwards – will "put more American troops in harm's way, further undercut US forces' morale, and risk further alienation of elements of the Iraqi populace."
"American casualties would probably rise, at least temporarily, as more troops are on the streets; we saw this when the brigade from Alaska was extended and sent into Baghdad last summer," Clark continues. "And even if the increased troop presence initially intimidates or frustrates the contending militias, it won't be long before they find ways to work around the obstacles to movement and neighbourhood searches, if they are still intent on pursuing the conflict."
"All of this is not much of an endorsement for a troop surge that will impose real pain on the already overstretched US forces," Clark adds.
Further excerpts from Clark's op-ed:
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Well before the 2003 invasion, the administration was sending signals that its intentions weren't limited to Iraq; Syria and Iran were mentioned as the next targets. Small wonder then that Syria and Iran have worked continuously to meddle in Iraq. They had reason to believe that if US action succeeded against Iraq, they would soon be targets themselves. Dealing with meddling neighbours is an essential element of resolving the conflict in Iraq. But this requires more than border posts, patrols and threatening statements. Iran has thus far come out the big winner in all of this, dispensing with long-time enemy Saddam, gaining increased influence in Iraq, pursuing nuclear capabilities and striving to enlarge further its reach. The administration needs a new strategy for the region now, urgently, before Iran can gain nuclear capabilities.
America should take the lead with direct diplomacy to resolve the interrelated problems of Iran's push for regional hegemony, Lebanon and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Isolating adversaries hasn't worked. The region must gain a new vision, and that must be led diplomatically by the most powerful force in the region, the United States.
Without such fundamental change in Washington's approach, there is little hope that the troops surge, Iraqi promises and accompanying rhetoric will amount to anything other than "stay the course more". That wastes lives and time, perpetuates the appeal of the terrorists, and simply brings us closer to the showdown with Iran. And that will be a tragedy for not just Iraq but our friends in the region as well.
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FULL COLUMN BY CLARK CAN BE READ AT THIS LINK
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