tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1953410733493889728.post683503173144801583..comments2024-02-29T12:38:32.191-08:00Comments on MUSINGS ON IRAQ: 2010 Ends With A Slight Drop In Iraqi Casualties (REVISED)Joel Winghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09611810110771744360noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1953410733493889728.post-31618595012389462352011-01-12T14:52:19.013-08:002011-01-12T14:52:19.013-08:00I think security will basically stay the same for ...I think security will basically stay the same for the foreseable future. On the bad side, Iraqis do less patrolling than the Americans did and do not have as many intelligence resources. They also don't have the air cover. Those have allowed some militants the opportunity to regroup since the U.S. left the cities. On the positive side, hardly anyone wants to fight anymore. It's the losing side. I expect the insurgency to eventually end, it's just a matter of time.Joel Winghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09611810110771744360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1953410733493889728.post-76284954558613035432011-01-12T07:59:08.494-08:002011-01-12T07:59:08.494-08:00The leveling off of violence for the last two year...The leveling off of violence for the last two years is a very positive sign. On the other hand, I still think all the numbers in the country are low. Mainly the level of murders/homicides in Iraq is unknown. Iraqi police still have trouble patrolling certain areas and therefore don't adequately investigate most crimes. <br /><br />The biggest question for 2010 is what effect the complete drawdown of US forces will have on remaining insurgent elements. If Sunni and Shia groups have been biding their time for US withdrawal, then we could see a slight uptick in violence above 2009/10 levels, though probably not above 2008 numbers.Michael Chttp://www.onviolence.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1953410733493889728.post-8557039827538510922011-01-12T07:09:36.086-08:002011-01-12T07:09:36.086-08:00"It would require political compromises to ch..."It would require political compromises to change this current status quo. "<br /><br />Or more hard work by the security forces. I see no reason in principle why Mosul cannot be cleaned up.Don Coxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11232752398252841794noreply@blogger.com