Informed Speculation

It’s been far too long since we’ve had stories like this to celebrate:

US and Iraqi troops have killed about 250 militants in fierce fighting around the holy city of Najaf, police say.

The battle has been raging all day as US-backed Iraqi army units fight the unidentified group in orchards on the northern outskirts of Najaf.

Three Iraqi soldiers had reportedly died in the battle and 21 were injured.

The US military said two of its troops died when their helicopter was shot down, but did not confirm any of the Iraqi casualty figures.

An Iraqi official in the Najaf governor’s office told the BBC that 21 Iraqi soldiers had been injured in the clashes, which occurred in a neighbourhood called Zarqa, and the Iraqi army was sweeping the area.

Asaad Abu Gilel, the governor of Najaf province, said that the gunmen had been intent on attacking clerics and pilgrims marking the holy festival of Ashura.

“They are well-equipped and they even have anti-aircraft missiles. They are backed by some locals,” he said.

I don’t want to seem insensitive to death and suffering; I’m sorry that Iraqi and Coalition soldiers have lost their lives…but successful offensives are incredible morale builders. The U.S. troops, professional as they are, can’t help but be stoked about taking it to the enemy, and this should do wonders for Iraqi units.

As Robert Kagan notes, the timing on the attempted capitulation by Congress could not be worse:

It’s quite a juxtaposition. In Iraq, American soldiers are finally beginning the hard job of establishing a measure of peace, security and order in critical sections of Baghdad — the essential prerequisite for the lasting political solution everyone claims to want. They’ve launched attacks on Sunni insurgent strongholds and begun reining in Moqtada al-Sadr’s militia. And they’ve embarked on these operations with the expectation that reinforcements will soon be on the way: the more than 20,000 troops President Bush has ordered to Iraq and the new commander he has appointed to fight the insurgency as it has not been fought since the war began.

Back in Washington, however, Democratic and Republican members of Congress are looking for a different kind of political solution: the solution to their problems in presidential primaries and elections almost two years off. Resolutions disapproving the troop increase have proliferated on both sides of the aisle. Many of their proponents frankly, even proudly, admit they are responding to the current public mood, as if that is what they were put in office to do. Those who think they were elected sometimes to lead rather than follow seem to be in a minority.

Kagan is right on the money:

I would think that anyone wanting to be president in January 2009 would be hoping and praying that the troop increase works. The United States will be dealing with Iraq one way or another in 2009, no matter what anyone says or does today. The only question is whether it is an Iraq that is salvageable or an Iraq sinking further into chaos and destruction and dragging America along with it.

A big part of the answer will come soon in the battle for Baghdad. Politicians in both parties should realize that success in this mission is in their interest, as well as the nation’s. Here’s a wild idea: Forget the political posturing, be responsible, and provide the moral and material support our forces need and expect. The next president will thank you.

Now is not the time to throw in the towel; now is the time to regroup and win…