Alot of people having been yammering about the Surge worked - the Surged didn't work - what the fuck ever. Let me be clear the Al Anbar Awakening did not begin with the "surge" troops arriving and it did not begin when local sheiks turned on AQ.

It began because of Catain Travis Patriquin - Army Spec Ops. Patriquin took winning hearts & minds seriously and he never made a promise he didn't keep to the Iraqi's. He spent time building relationships and talking to the Iraqi's and the local sheiks. In 2006 he produced a comical but strategic Power Point presentation to his superiors about a plan he had. "How to win in An Albar"

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This simple but persuasive plan is the surge and it worked because it allowed the Iraqi's to share the burden and responsibility for their safety. And Capt. Travis's name is never spoken and thats a shame. He was killed by an IED killed Maj. Megan McClung in of the Marine Corps in Dec, 2006 - as they left a meeting with Iraqi's.

Some may credit the Surge, some want to credit the Iraqi's - but the real credit belongs to Capt. Patriquin, who may have won this war on his own.

Here's some bio on Patriquin and Maj. McClung

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"Mission Accomplished" number 285.

The Surge will not be a success until Political gains are made and a draw down of troops begins in earnest.

I hope the Surge worked, but I also know that it will depend on the Iraqi people who has certainly received the rest they needed to get something done.

I have no doubt our Military can control any situation, but it cannot form an Iraqi government and it cannot go against the will of the Iraqi people....

bush sure as hell didn't win anything. He only causes disaster by poor planning and negligence.

...to your characterization of their actions as "winning the war" (we in fact won that in 2003), their actions clearly made a difference and show the 'surrrrrrrrge' for what it was - White House window dressing for hard work on the ground and willing cooperation by Iraqis.

Thanks.

The only surge that made sense in this misguided war was when General Shinseki (sp) insisted on more troops for the initial invasion. He was dismissed by Rumsfeld, Bush, Cheney and was thrown under the bus by John McCain.

As far as I'm concerned John McCain has little or no judgement about the world (downplaying Barack Obama's reception in Europe, our NATO Partners not our enemies), He refers to countries that no longer exist and alliances and support between enemy factions (Shiite and Sunni), not understanding the need to concentrate on the real terrorist threat (Afghanistan/Pakistan) and choosing a VP who, while probably a good person, has less experience for the job than Michael Brown.

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The Green Zone Government is planning to wipe out the Awakening Councils, meaning all the progress Patriquin made has only served to stall the genocide for a little while.