War supporters frequently try to focus in on “indicators” to suggest progress in Iraq is much further along than most Americans believe. When congressional Republicans fly over Baghdad and see some lights on, they say, “See? There’s progress.” When a delegation can travel from the airport to downtown in a heavily-armed caravan, they say, “See? We couldn’t do this last year.” When John McCain visits a marketplace under the protection of 100 U.S. troops and air support, he says, “See? Iraq is getting better.”
On the flip side, let’s consider a few “indicators” war supporters would probably prefer to overlook. For example, U.S. Embassy employees in the Green Zone are now expected to wear protective gear inside secure buildings.
A sharp increase in mortar attacks on the Green Zone — the one-time oasis of security in Iraq’s turbulent capital — has prompted the U.S. Embassy to issue a strict new order telling all employees to wear flak vests and helmets while in unprotected buildings or whenever they are outside.
The order, obtained by The Associated Press, has created a siege mentality among U.S. staff inside the Green Zone following a recent suicide attack on parliament. It has also led to new fears about long-term safety in the place where the U.S. government is building a massive and expensive new embassy.
The situation marks a sharp turnaround for the heavily guarded Green Zone — long viewed as the safest corner of Baghdad with its shops, restaurants, American fast-food outlets and key Iraqi and American government offices.
Indicator #2, regarding the Iraqi parliament’s possible two-month vacation:
The Iraqi parliament normally meets three times a week, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, but its sessions involve numerous problems that Congress does not face.
This week, Tuesday’s session was canceled because the parliament building’s electricity was out, a result of Baghdad’s chronic power shortages. That meant microphones did not work, the windowless room in which legislators meet was dark, and there was no air-conditioning at a time the outside temperature was rising into the 90s.
Of the 275 lawmakers, 170 were present for the session that never happened. Attendance has been a persistent problem — reasons for absences range from boycotts to traffic jams caused by suicide bombings and checkpoints.
On April 11, Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced that tours of duty for the Army would be extended from 12 months to 15 months, effective immediately. In exchange for the extensions, soldiers would receive at least a year home between deployments. This rest time was intended to “provide some long-term predictability for the soldiers and their families…particularly guaranteeing that they will be at home for a full 12 months,” Gates added.
But Gates has not kept his promise. Stars and Stripes reports: “The Army is sending a company of Europe-based soldiers back to Iraq before the unit has had a full 12 months of ‘dwell time,’ or at-home rest. Members of the 1st Armored Division’s 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry, Company A, learned Tuesday that they are scheduled to head back to Iraq in November, just nine months after the 150-soldier company left the combat zone in February after a 13-month deployment.” […]
According to [Pentagon spokesman Bryan] Whitman, the 12-month rest period between deployments “is a goal,” not a guarantee.
These “indicators” paint quite a picture, don’t they? The word “progress” doesn’t come to mind.