The Iraqi strategic cul de sac

It's been reported before, but I still don't believe it. Implementation of "the surge" is putting us farther away from being able to leave Iraq responsibly.

Major military offensives and a changed focus on increasing security have slowed efforts to train Iraqi forces to take control of Iraq, the top U.S. training official said.....

Pittard, who recently returned to the USA after heading the Iraq Assistance Group, said the major U.S. priority has changed to protecting civilians and providing security instead of building Iraqi security forces and shifting responsibility to them....

"Transitioning [to Iraqi control] is not a main priority, but it's still a priority," Pittard told USA TODAY in an interview Thursday.

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