“This are an emerging force, and yet they are taking the lead in our operations against the insurgents. We conducted an operation a month ago in which this force did most of the planning and then physically led the way. The operation was very successful, and it consequently set the stage for what we are doing right now.”
Is this the an elite squad of heroic U.S. paramilitaries? No, it describes the growing accomplishments of Iraqi special-ops forces.
The success of a new, elite, independently operating Iraqi force is good news. What about the bad?
“Optimism in the face of obstacles is no vice,” says U.S. Marine captain David Nevers. “We get criticized for complaining about the negative news coverage, but it is because we are here. We know exactly what is going on, and we believe in our ability to get this done. Tremendous progress is being made every single day, but is often lost in the daily reports of car bombs and ambushes.”
He adds, “Look, we don’t want to dismiss casualties or down-play setbacks. This is a dangerous environment and we know it. But here in Iraq every step back is three steps forward. And that’s not an opinion. That’s a fact.”
