James Forsyth James Forsyth

More signs of progress in Iraq

Obviously, the vote in the Turkish Parliament yesterday authorising incursions into northern Iraq to combat Kurdish terrorists threatens to undercut much of the progress that has been made in Iraq recently. But the security success of the surge in recent months has been quite remarkable as this sniper from Joe Klein’s Today in Iraq slot for Time magazine demonstrates.

“Tonight, ABC news reported that there were no–zero–violent incidents in Baghdad today. But I can’t find that fairly amazing story anywhere on the ABC website, or on Iraqslogger. So maybe it didn’t happen. But if it did…”

In a way, the issue isn’t whether there were no attacks at all in Baghdad yesterday but the mere fact that this even seems plausible to a close Iraq watcher like Klein. Obviously, one day without violence doesn’t mean that the war is over but it is an encouraging sign that all is not lost yet.  The

Comments

Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.

Already a subscriber? Log in