Pentagon Morning Report: Iraq is the news in Mexico

Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell gave a quick availability after a ceremony with the Secretary of Defense laying a wreath on a memorial for Mexican WWII veterans. Despite the desire from Pentagon public affairs that emphasis be placed on the trip to Mexico, the subject stayed squarely on the Middle East.

Morell said that everyone from the Secretary of Defense to the Chairman if the Joint Chiefs of Staff has acknowledged what a problem Iranian involvement in Iraq is and is determined to deal with it inside Iraq.

Morrell said that he is not aware of ramping up or revision of war plans for Iran. The focus of U.S. efforts is that Iranian arms and training of terrorists by Iran be dealt with within the confines of Iraq, Morrell said. He warned against the perception of an uptick in Iranian actions in Iraq, though he said, "We are seeing evidence that it continues."

He also said that since the Basra incursion the Iraqi military has made great strides since the fighting a few weeks ago. One example of progress was the development of a concerned local citizens group called "sons of Basra," paid by the Iraqi government to protect their neighborhoods.

Conference call offers suggestions for improving the transition back home for veterans

Former Senator Max Cleland (D-Ga.) and House Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) held a conference call to address plans to end the war in Iraq and ideas to ensure veterans receive health care, higher education, and job training when they return to the U.S.

Cleland said there is “no American military solution in Iraq” and that the troops should be withdrawn. He said the war is wearing out the military, and that it is possible to resolve conflicts in Iraq without them. He feels the administration is slow to deal with casualties and costs.

Merkley echoed that national security is broader than just military might, and would like to see Congress and the administration “fight for those who fought for us overseas.” He plans to take on veteran issues such as mental health, screenings for traumatic brain injuries, and health care. He also said veterans in service should spend as much time in the U.S. as they did in employment before going back. His focus is on a new G.I. Bill for the 21st century to provide education opportunities for veterans to help with the transition back home. He also wants a program to provide free tuition to the family members of those who lost their lives serving the country.

Merkley also said he is focused on getting the troops home by ending the war in Iraq. He suggested getting out of controls and check points, working with surrounding states to prevent a broader war, ending dependence on foreign oil, and rebuilding Iraq’s economy.

Senate Armed Services Committee grill Gates, Mullen on future of Iraq

This afternoon the Senate Armed Services Committee gave strong recommendations to Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen after interrogating them through questioning. Senator Carl Levin, perhaps the most diligent and pressing in his questions, was profoundly concerned about the amount of money being spent and that will be spent on Iraq in the future. It was the view of multiple senators that Iraq needs to be paying for far more and that they are using the US as a crutch.

"The Iraqi forces will shoulder more of the burden as we reduce our forces over time," says Gates. He continued to discuss Iraq's economic and legislative successes as of recent. But he goes on to say, "just as there is real progress to report, there are also substantial reasons to be cautious."

There is also a deep concern about the large drug industry in Afghanistan and that the large amounts of money being transferred from drug trade may be going toward weaponry purchases which end up being used against US and coalition forces.


As senators continued to ask pressing questions, Gates and Mullen had most answers, but at times they were rather different that what the senators would have preferred to hear. It's evident that the senators are looking for a different direction than where the war is going.

Hoyer highlights economy, war at pen and pad

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer met with the media this afternoon to discuss recent House proceedings at his regular “pen and pad” briefing.

Topics covered during the briefing were wide-spanning, ranging from the highly debated Colombia free trade agreement, to what the House is doing to improve the sagging American economy. Hoyer mentioned the effects the “significant” testimonies of General Petreaus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker had on Capitol Hill, and emphasized that Congress is doing everything in their power to help fix our country’s financial woes.

Hoyer talked about how he found it imperative we improve our military readiness, should catastrophe arise. When questioned about a second stimulus package, the Majority Leader noted that he did not want to see one passed that was not properly financed.

Happy Anniversary? For Many in Iraq, Bush Thinks Five Years of “Operation” Means Just That

Today’s five year anniversary of the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom provided President Bush with an opportunity to reflect upon the successes his administration has had in restoring democracy, securing America, and championing terror in the Middle East.

The President spoke before a room packed with high ranking military officials with a speech focused on thanking the armed forces, defending the tough decisions he has made as Commander-in-Chief since the terrorist attacks of September 11th, and his insistence that the battle that currently rages on in Iraq is one we “must win.”

Citing the fact that Iraqi’s now hold free elections, Bush noted that Iraqi citizens are able to enjoy freedoms they could only dream of under the brutal Sadaam Hussein, a dictator Bush noted, “We got.”

Bush acknowledged that winning in Iraq has been longer and more expensive than his administration initially assumed. Should we leave now Bush maintained, we would risk “emboldening” yet-to-be-found terrorists, obsessed with harming the American people. Bush also noted the success the “surge” US forces working to combat terror has had. Today, said the President, more than 90,000 Iraqi’s fight for their country alongside the United States.

Bush explained that criticisms about the cost of the war have been “exaggerated.” “Men and women,” Bush said, “who love liberty, can defeat the terrorists.” Hopefully, when the 10 year anniversary of Operation Iraqi Freedom is reached, American’s can reflect upon a war finally over, not one still raging on.