Ben in London wrote:

"If the war was for oil then it was disastrously ill-conceived."

Yes, it was for oil and yes, it was disastrously ill-conceived.

Zeke, Toronto, Canada

Terry Woods, Oshawa, Canada. ."..again would have been sold well before anyone was aware that Saddam Hussein was a monster". You are joking, I hope, Terry? Saddam was revealed as a monster pretty much from day one of his rise to power at the latter half of the '70s with mass executions and widespread torture. None of this prevented St. Ronnie of Reagan or Bush the 1st from dealing with him. Ironically enough, Saddam was executed after being found guilty of the massacre of 148 in Dujail. When did this happen? 1982. Under a year later, Rumsfeld was shaking Saddam's hand and grinning from ear to ear. I could go on regarding Iraqgate and Iran-Contra et al, but there seems little point if you are determined to divorce yourself from reality so.

Dan, Hampton, UK

I have said all along that the US is winning the war in Iraq. And will win it faster if it treats the average Iraqi well.

Paul Francis, Brisbane, Australia

A reply to Phil in Brownsburg & Eric in St. Louis

If the war was for oil then it was a disastrously ill-conceived. The price of Brent crude is higher than ever, Iraq is at minimal production levels and energy supplies in the region are more unstable as a consequence. I believe people do their own research - as you wisely suggest - and understand the tenuous link.

Ben, London,

Terry Woods, Oshawa, Canada. ."..again would have been sold well before anyone was aware that Saddam Hussein was a monster". You are joking, I hope, Terry? Saddam was revealed as a monster pretty much from day one of his rise to power at the latter half of the '70s with mass executions and widespread torture. None of this prevented St. Ronnie of Reagan or Bush the 1st from dealing with him. Ironically enough, Saddam was executed after being found guilty of the massacre of 148 in Dujail. When did this happen? 1982. Under a year later, Rumsfeld was shaking Saddam's hand and grinning from ear to ear. I could go on regarding Iraqgate and Iran-Contra et al, but there seems little point if you are determined to divorce yourself from reality so.

Dan, Hampton, UK

This article should be reprinted and dropped on Iraq in the same way we did to occupied France in WWII. Some hope, a glimmer, for Iraq.

Ben, York,

The surge is working, and it's about time people said so.

SW, the '43 - '45 conflict? I do believe that the US was fighting and completely preoccupying the Japanese, supporting free Chinese forces, outrightly saving Australia at the Battle of the Coral Sea, and supplying UK forces in Burma and the rest of southeast Asia well before '43. Oh, not to mention escorting supply fleets and otherwise feeding Britain.

Of course, this fails to point out that the real fighting in Western Europe didn't get underway until '43, when we kicked the Axis out of North Africa, and began crushing the Italians just prior to the Normandy invasion, which went on to result in the winning of the war and the saving of Western Europe from Stalinism.

Bill Foreman, Dallas, Texas, USA

I don't see why so many britains are against us on this. Their country is more vulnerable to attacks and muslim takeover than ours is. And to Pelosi and Reed and all the other vote wanting democrats, you running the country does not matter more than the security of the nation, GET IT!!!!

David, cincinnati, oh

Dan, Hampton U.K. Almost every item you mentioned would in the normal course of international commerce be supplied to almost any country. The anthrax and botulism bacilli would have been supplied for research purposes and well before Saddam's use of poison gas in Halabja. Egad, even the Soviet Union kept on hand any number of deadly viruses including small pox for legitimate research purposes. These pathogens also are not particularly effective in war and again would have been sold well before anyone was aware that Saddam Hussein was a monster. The other items you mentioned precursor chemicals, specialized computers(?), lasers, transport helicopters(?), etc., would all have legtimate, civilian uses in a relatively advanced country such as Iraq. In fact helicopters were specifically allowed for Iraqi peaceful use in the ceasefire agreement after the first Gulf War. That Saddam Hussein used these and for ill is not in question but that was never intended.

Terry Woods, Oshawa, Canada

Propoganda. Say no more.

Phil, Chichester,

It's not about the oil. What a convenienice excuse to apply to America just becuase you disagree with a policy. I suppose India was just about the tea. Read the reports from the leaders of AL Queda, their intent is world domination of Islam.

Get it? That's the point. Loose the point, loose your freedom.

Jim, Oak Park, Illinois

America need to start travelling the world and appologise for Bush his cohorts,and their actions. Its about time all of the USA woke up to Bush. They had absolutely no idea what to do after they "won the "war" and have no idea what Arab people are about, and simply do not understand them. The idea of implanting "democracy " on Arab people ... what a joke. They do not know what it is. Remember it took 400 years for the USA to achieve their brand of "democracy". USA and its people must wake up to themselves and get out of the Middle East, not just Iraq. Of course it was about oil, but also an influence in a part of the world that they will just not achieve.

Alan, Sydney, Australia

"We are behind our President and our Generals 110%" I don't know why so blindly support the president. It is obvious his plan is just to buy time until he can pass this issue onto the next president.

This war should have never happened, and it has hurt our relations across the world for many years to come.

kurt, philadelphia, pa

As I sat on Tu-Do St. in Saigon reading the Asian Times magazine edition telling me how bad it was, I put down my cafe-au-lait and laughed out loud. Upon returning stateside I understood that the infrastructure of the Viet-Cong was destroyed in an act designed to convince the talking heads of american television that the war was lost. Gen Giap aknowledged the fact when he stated that the war was lost and they won it thanks to the american press.
All they mention in the news here is how bad it is, never stating the changes effected by the thousands who voted for the first time in their lives. To leave now would be an error. Remember Pol Pot. The left never admitted it was the aftermath of the pull out of southeast Asia.

Arturo H Aguilera , Miami, FL USA

Sir,
Good news, but I suppose we have got to indulge the blood-lust of those Neo-conservative dead-enders, next stop Iran, then the rest of the Middle East...

SC, London , United Kingdom

Terry Woods, Oshawa, Canada - You're certainly missing the 1994 US Senate report showing that US companies were licenced by the commerce department to export a "witch's brew" of biological and chemical materials, including bacillus anthracis (which causes anthrax) and clostridium botulinum (the source of botulism). The American Type Culture Collection made 70 shipments of the anthrax bug and other pathogenic agents.

The report also noted that US exports to Iraq included the precursors to chemical warfare agents, plans for chemical and biological warfare facilities and chemical warhead filling equipment. US firms supplied advanced and specialised computers, lasers, testing and analysing equipment. Among the better-known companies were Hewlett Packard, Unisys, Data General and Honeywell.

The US also used its power of veto to block ANY UN investigation into the gassing of thousands at Halabja. The hughes helicopters Reagan also sold Hussein were the delivery mechanism.

Dan, Hampton, UK

Deborah Haynes reported yesterday that a British soldier died in Basra "... as a result of an indirect fire attack on the base..." well, thank God it wasn't a direct attack.

Douglas Miller, london,

The fundamental reason the US lost in Vietnam, was because it could no longer afford to make the choice of guns, when there was such a huge shortage of butter at home - not for the plush military/political/industrial class and their middle-class acolytes, but for the huge groaning underclass, who also had votes and did much of the fighting.
The same is true in Iraq.
The Neo-Cons have their Iraq adventure, whilst the country's physical and human infrastructure decays ever further.

There is a low cost alternative.
Pull out of Iraq and allow them to sort themselves. The most unlikely outcome is that Al Qaeda is given sanctuary. In any post-US settlement, AQ will be driven out of town. Bush is just prolonging the inevitable (Iraqi) denoument at enormous cost to the US taxpayer.
Afghanistan ? Encourage Karzai to reach an accomodation with the Talebs (his inclination anyway), with iron guarantees to exile AQ.

Vietnam also had "good news stories" and Operation Phoenix.

L.Stewart, Cranbrook, UK

It's scary to read the opinions of so many uninformed appeasers. The killing started with Al Qaida and the United States has set up a front on the war in the middle of Iran, Syria and Iraq. No Democracy has ever been established in such a short time and there is a radicalized group of inhuman beings trying to stop it at all costs. We could have left the terrorists alone after 9-11 like Europe did with Hitler in the late 30's but, most Americans understand their freedoms a little better than you do.

Appeasement has lost every war in history and I don't think you want to speak Farsi or submit to radicalized Islamic laws.

Mark Spina, Rogers, AR

It's not about Iraq, stupids! This is WORLD WAR THREE!!! Whose side are you on?

Terry, London, Great Britain

The evil terrorists will not stop until all are either dead or get sick of terror. National boundaries mean nothing to their ideals because Islam is an international religion.

Read the history of Islamic terrorists and see what they always do. George Bush, like Churchill, is standing up to this world wide threat. The terror cells have been in every nation for decades. It is folly to think that they were "not in Iraq until the war against Saddam" They were in Singapore, Malaysia, Phillipines, England, Turkey, America, Etc for many, many years.

Gary R Sweeten, Cincinnati, OH

Phil in Brownsburg & Eric in St. Louis - haven't you people in America yet realised that IT'S ABOUT THE OIL. It's not about standing up against fear and tyranny otherwise why on earth aren't you in Zimbabwe? Or Zwanda? American dream and standing up for justice. Bush is an Oil man, so's his brother. All they care about is the oil and the polls back home. Stop being brainwashed, do your own research into the subject and formulate your own opinions. God bless the world.

Michael, London, UK

Al Quieda wasn't in Iraq before Bush and Blair invaded.
Many people here seem to have conveniently overlooked this!

David, Southampton, England

Turning point smurming point. We have had enough of so-called turning points. Quit the death. End the killing. Stop War.

Steve Bremner, Manitou Springs, Colorado

Low level weaklings (and bounty hunters no doubt) who don't have the guts to fight for their country and throw out the unwanted imperialist occupants.

SB, Manchester,

Looks like another reason to declare defeat and run before any form of victory can break out

Dale Deraps, Jamestown, MO

I am always intrigued by those who believe the West and in particular the United States armed Saddam Hussein and his military. I have watched many newsreels, documentaries, film clips etc. and I have never seen an American tank, plane, ship, artillery piece, firearm, radio, explosive, or toenail clipper in the service of the Iraqi army. All the equipment they use would appear to be Soviet, Chinese, and French. Am I missing something?

Terry Woods, Oshawa, Canada

Having served during the Viet Nam conflict, I think that I can assure you that it was a war which the American military won, and the spineless Harry Reeds of the world lost in the halls of our government.

Have we become a nation of eunuchs without a spine?

George Bush should be commended for fighting for and sticking with his plan to perpetuate the real American dream.

Was Darwin wrong? Have we become a world of survival of the unfittest?

Phil;, Brownsburg, USA

This is proof that there are people who want to live their lives in peace and without the fear of being slaughtered or oppressed on a daily basis. Then there are those who desire to roam the earth as grim reapers, sowing the seeds of death and destruction. People can hate the U.S. all they want for our wealth and prosperity, but at least we stand against those who foster fear and tyranny. I can only pray this positive trend continues in Iraq before the spineless and ill-informed electorate of our country makes a hasty decision to vote in a new president who does not see the importance of decimating the Al-Qaeda threat at its source.

Eric, St. Louis,

There is a lot of anit-war sentament in america right now. I was against the surge when it was proposed but it seems that maybe this tactic is working more then I thought. It doesn't matter as much to me wether or not we "finnish the job" or get out, what seems important to me is progress. Progress with getting our troops out, or progress in capturing the insurgents.

Wayne, Eielson AFB, Alaska

Barbarians attacked civilization in Roman times. Rape and pilliage were their weapons. They terrorized the civillian population and brought as much chaos as they could inflict.

Terrorists are modern-day barbarians. Glad to see civilization is still winning the fight!

Tad, Huntington Beach, USA, California

Great news! Winning wars today is about breaking wills, not caturing ground. This article shows that the Iraqi people have had enough-- not with the 'occupiers' but with the terrorists. Now, as long as the US will does not break (I'm looking at you Nancy and Harry) victory is only a matter of time. The dominos are starting to fall.

Roger Bacon, Miami, Florida

Eric, St. Louis, MO, do you make up history as you go along?

FDR wanted no part in the war in Europe. Only after Churchill threatened to surrender the Royal Navy intact to the Nazi's did FDR begin to plan for war. Even still it took an actual attack on American soil to provoke us into WWII. If we were so into Freedom and Justice would we have let Hitler march all over the Sudentanland? What about the rape of Warsaw? Where were we then?

August, Windsor, CT

Here's a story the mainstream media and the Dems will never talk about. A true turning point.

Kyle Coppola, New York, New York

I was never asked, as an American, if I wanted our country to become the "World Police". The rest of the world did not ask the U.S. to become the lawmaker and enforcer of the world. We cannot GIVE freedom to any country. If a people will not stand up and TAKE their own freedom, anything we give them will not be valued or maintained. We can certainly support any causes we believe in, but we will never succeed in transfusing bravery and desire into people who do not truley wish it. Lets just go home.

Dave B, indianapolis, Indiana, usa

I'm with the prior comments who have given your reporting a thumbs up! Thanks for showing a side those others in the Free Press censor...

The War is a dangerous, but not 'completely negative situation'; as it's made out to be, here in the states.

What are we to do when our Media won't print a fair progress of the war efforts?...Go to the timesonline UK!

MB, BH-CA, USA

If anyone here is using the "Saddam was a bad man and we took him out to free his country from suffering" defense of the Iraq Occupation then you are mis-guided.

It was the United States (among others) who strengthened Saddam's regime because of his intolerance of the Shia-back fundamental Iranian government. We armed him to the teeth to keep Irans linfluence in check.

There was no question Saddam at one point had weapons of mass destruction. We know because we hold the receipts. We knew full well the fate of dissidents in his country. Its convenient that all of the sudden we felt he needed to be removed from power.

Dont get it twisted. We are not in Iraq to bring them freedom from tyranny, we missed that chance decades ago. Now we are fighting to keep that country from being ripped apart by its neighbors who will gladly take what they can for themseleves. America should be ashamed of its political leaders and how they benefit from others pain...

August, Windsor, CT

I think my main problem with the war is our approach. All we're doing is wiping them out; going around a slaughtering people from Al- Qaueda. While it's good that they are no longer a threat, it's not the people that we should really be attacking. It's the idea.
The people do terrible things yes, but people don't do such things merely because they feel like it. or because they are "evil". It's not that simple. These terrorists are not pure evil, they are people,and people don't operate in such ways without reason or motivation. Anger, fear, frustration, confusion, jealousy...whatever it is there is a reason why terrorists behave the way they do, and we need to find out why.
We can destroy thousands of people and wipe out all the terrorists of our time. But whatever that motivation is, whatever that idea is that makes these people do what they do will still be there. The people may be gone, but the idea will still be there , and fear can only make an idea dissapear for so long.

Heather Kirst, New Brighton, MN, USA

At last Al Qaeda are realising that all they have achieved in the world is death, destruction and misery. And where has it got them...........? Absolutely NOWHERE. My contempt for them is only exceeded by my admiration for anybody who stands against them.

Jo , Bristol, UK

With all of the ongoing reportage, why do we not hear more about threats to the American Homeland? Democrats say they want us to leave Iraq, but say nothing about how they plan to keep us safe. The truth is they have no plan for anything and are just opportunists looking for a new angle with which to club President Bush and the Republicans. Democrats will rue the day that they took this childish direction. Their churlish prattlings will make good reportage some day, just as it has with the Vietnam War. The cut-and-runners are as despicable as ever.

William R. Wilson, Knoxville, TN

It is only wishful thinking created for the USA and UK public who see their sons and daughters coming back home wrapped in body bags, fighting the war which was wrong from the very begining. With or without Al Qaeda, killing and destruction will not stop and the young soldiers will continue to sacrifice their lives for
short lived political ideas.

Bess, Uppsala, Sweden

there are 100's of thousands of soldiers that have died in the last 80 years and they are rolling over in their graves saying what it up with america's courage and stamina. We all have become soft and wimpee about lost of lives. they know what they are in for and except it with the committment that our forefathers did and are very proud of it. For gods sake Dem's look at just what the World War II vets did for this country and tell them that they should of pulled out of germany and the pacific islands after some lost their lives. You have become the COWARDS that will drive this country into a 3rd world tragedy. I love this country and will should stay no matter what the cost and win this one, insead of running like Korea, Viet Nam, somalia, lebonon, and so many other in the past. If we want to be strong BE STRONGE!!

Jim Keeper, Tampa, Florida

Contrary to what Harry Reid or the NY Times want you to believe our troops are making a postive difference in Iraq.

Peter, Falmouth, MA, USA

Why don't I see this type of thing in American media???

Geoff, Elgin,

Al-Queda is not an organization, it is a state of mind. Bullets and bombs cannot completely wipe out a state of mind, though at some point the West might have to be prepared to fight a war of mass annihilation against the breeding ground of this fanatical mind set. In the meantime the U.S. should withdraw from Iraq, and stop losing soldiers and money unnecessarily, to observe the outcome of the inevitable civil war. The result of this unstopable bloodbath will give the Western World a good idea of things that are to come.

Ray Sampson, BRONX, USA/ N.Y.

Why does this article sound like it's come straight from the mouth of the Pentagon?

james, london,

Kudos to the TIMES ON-LINE for having the journalistic objectivity to report encouraging news from Iraq! The Iraqi people may eventually earn their freedom if they can oust Al-Qaeda and resolve their differences peacefully.
If only other news media would report these types of positive, encouraging news , the Iraq war would be done and successful. Too bad that US politics of Democrats vs Republicans (President Bush) are more important to the US liberal press: NY Times, LA times, Washington Post, et al

YankeeSkeptic, Boston, MA

In order for the dems to save face with all their negative about the war, they have to pull out the troops before they accomplish the mission.

Randy, Chattanooga, TN

Sad to say, but I'm not sure I'd even trust their info. These guys will try anything to get us to drop our guard. The Brass had better vet, vet, vet is all I can say.

Roger Cee, SAINT LOUIS, USA Missouri

Wmd ,wmd every time there is positive news libs return to the wmd mantra. How about giving the worlds finest military a chance? They would (and have) do anything for you.
Why did Democrats think it was ok for us to attack Iraq when Bill Clinton was in office? Him and his vice president claimed Saddam had wmds and the strikes were justified. It is called selective memory. Let's face it the democrats will do anything for power. Giving aid and comfort to the enemy, undermining the troops sounds like somone dusted off the old Vietnam playbook.

Robert Wethington, Nashville, Tn

It is an answer to prayer that the insurgents are turning on their own leaders! Bush has stood firm against the political bashing by people that do not understand the cost of freedom for the country. These people have lived with violence so long that it has taken time for them to understand the consequences of violence. It seems that they are finally getting sick of it themselves. I will continue to pray for Iraq, our brave troops and our courageous President.

Ann Reynolds, Oscoda, , Michigan

Franklin Delano Roosevelt......don't make me laugh!!! Are you referring to the glorious '43-'45 'conflict', which you Americans decided to 'help out' in, or the '39-'45 second World War?

sw, London,

It is about time the news media began to report the positive aspects of the military's presence in Iraq. When a news correspondent is implanted with the troops, it is very easy to report the "easy" reporting aspects of the war; i.e., the constant road side bombs exploding and the deaths of the military members. However, it takes more effort to report the positive aspects of the war; i.e., Iraqi children being taught lessons in a makeshift schoolhouse, Iraqi oil flowing once again after continuously being blown up by Al-Qaeda in Iraq, the improvement of the Iraqi economy, and the US military progress in the fight against Al-Qaeda in Iraq. After a barrage of negative news stories portraying the US military as the villains of the war, it is encouraging to finally begin reading news stories portraying the US military as the heroes of the war and Al-Qaeda in Iraq as the villains of the war!

Justin R. Weimer, Indianapolis, Indiana

So sad we have to read good news about Iraq in a LONDON newspaper, and not a NEW YORK TIMES. Iraq is not another Vietnam and I'm sick of hearing it. It will only be another Vietnam if we pull out which is just what the terriorists want. Any sign of weakness and they'll devour this country like hungry sharks. All we need is a president like Edwards who's in touch with his feminine side to scare them to death.

Brenda, moscow, PA

Just try to get this article printed in the apologist US papers.
Wonder what the appeasing socialist white flag waving Democrats and weak kneed Republicans will say?

Thank God we have leaders like George Bush and former PM Tony Blair who understand the threat to our way of life.

KJS, NYC, NY, USA

We have to pull out of Iraq now before more good news comes out.

J Gostkowski, Knoxville, TN

Very good news indeed! I hope the Iraqi people will now finally take their first tentative steps toward reconciliation and compromise. The question is will the patience of the American public last long enough for that to happen? Here in the U.S. our left leaning media feeds us a daily pablum of bad news and bashes our President at every opportunity. The opposition Democrats are playing to populist sentiment at the expense of our soldiers and the future stability of that entire region. Don't they realize that if we succeed the world will be a safer place for everyone? We have made significant progress in Iraq, and to pull out prematurely would have disasterous consequences.

Richard O'Brien, Walden, New York

Iraq is entitled to its Civil War. In England the Government re-enacts the condition of life under a Puritan regime. We see the sorts of vilification, control and witch-hunts that are indicative of a totalitarian state. We are controlled, monitored, robbed and molested at every turn by a state body only interested in its own growth, its own ability to reach maturity and to know some form of success. Whereas here we have the bloodless revolution Iraq is spilling its blood copiously. But we should not be turned off by this suffering. Perhaps this report shows how revolt can also stem from revulsion. If President Bush sees the insurgency through, and Iraq becomes stable, it will be a great victory and all the dead will become martyrs over night. The troops killed will be seen as selfless and the Middle East will have improved immeasurably. If America fails it will do so honourably. Vietnam was lost to America but the legacy was to study war no more, the revulsion factor imposed sanity.

Malcolm Turner, Alsager, England

Mr. Hoffman,

Please go back and read the speech President Bush gave to Congress a few days after 9/11. He told us this war would be long. He told us there were things he could tell us and things he could not.

If that is one of the "lies" you refer to then you need to go back and read your recent history.

It's precisely because of weak bellied people like you that we are sending mixed signals to the enemy and to our troops.

You'd rather live in a caliphate than to fight for what has made America great---freedom. Freedom from terrorists, freedom from fear and freedom to live our lives the way we want.

Forget the dems. They rejoice with each new death because they say each new death gets them 10 new votes. I'd rather lose the election than lose my integrity.

Jeanette, Rock Hill, SC, US

I had an Iraqi man tell me with all the people Saddam has had killed and all the families that he has had torn apart. Would he himself and his regime not be considered a "weapon of mass distruction?" Reid, pelosi, Kennedy, Rosie o'donnel are to me just cowards. 3 hundred thousand people in unmarked graves have been found in Iraq since the start of this war. (Who were put there by Saddam's regime and his command)
What happened to the MEN who lived by "For evil to spread all it takes is for the good to do nothing." Maybe you don't like Bush Ok i get it. Maybe you don't vote this way or that fine so be it. But can you live knowing somewhere evil is destroying peoples lives and sit back doing nothing but clicking your tongue? Thank god for those who stand up for those who can't.

steven , virginia beach, va

The unrealized lives of 3600 American men and women are on the heads of Mr. Hoffman, the leadership of the Democratic party, and their media minions. They beat the drum of pullout and abandonment because they are in a frenzy to oust Bush . They hate Bush more than they love their young (Our brave precious young). Bush stole their election fair and square so now get your heads out of your asses -Oops interchangeable parts- AND GET OVER IT. Support our efforts and our sons and daughters will be home safe a lot sooner and we will be safer because of it.

Jerry Snell, Merced, CA

This war in Iraq was a horrible mistake. We have opened up a can of Vipers. The amount of bloodshed and atrocities has been horrendous and there will never be a way to put a positive spin on Bush/Cheneys misguided adventure.
We were fools to invade such a mixed-up Islamic country with dubious WMDs...it's a shame the USA could be so ignorant and unwise.
The fact is MANY (intelligent, educated) in the US Intelligence Sevices past and and present, knew it would be a disaster - ofcourse, those were the people who have been to Iraq / Middleast.
The whole thing makes one sick -
I feel sorry for all the great Service men and women trying to fix the mess our foolish President got them in.
All that being said we must stay and finish the job - which will be a huge cost. Pulling out when Iraq is so vulnerable would be a disgrace. Credit goes to our Military who could clean up such a mess their government put them in. They are heros for that.

steve, bangor, usa/Maine

To Arch - I wouldn't take a leaf out of Mao's little red book - he was a brutal and insane despot who was responsible for the deaths of at least 20 million of his countrymen.

Moreover, to General Patraeus I would say that it’s not about winning hearts and minds - it’s about understanding what motivates another man to use piano wire to slice the face from a fellow human being - then convincing him not to.

Brett Caldwell, Canberra, Australia

"Saddam was brutal dictator who used WMD's against the Kurds in the 1980's, so then why would he refrain from inflicting the same casualties against the U.S. military during their siege of Baghdad?"

Um, because the Kurds didn't have nukes?

'nuff said.

Eric, St. Louis,

Harry Reid, Hillary Clinton, et al, for political reasons, have gone all out to undermine our military effort. When the turn around comes they will be fully exposed for what they are, political opportunists.

Jay Rizzo, Houston, TX

I see that the author of this article did not interview anyone but US soldiers. It is not surprising that there is 'good news' here. What would have been the result, had some Baghdadis been interviewed?

Alex, Paris, France

While i did not support the Invasion originally (in the UK we seemed to not be given a good reason, as it changed every week) now i find the constant calls to withdraw from Iraq incomprehensible. a decision was made, to abandon that course before its conclusion would be idiocy. I do worry about those who seem to want to change the course simply becasue it was made by someone else. FInish the Business, let Iraq become a stable democracy, support it during its first years and let it find its feet, without abandoning it to the exteemists

Ben, folkestone, uk

This is such fantastic news , I always thought the Iraqi people were were an intelligent people & thank God this is now showing through the fear.
They have lived in fear for so long it must be hard for them to realise it's only they who can change the direction of their country & their own futures.
The very last thing they want is to live once again under bullying oppression .
Please let this small number increase,gather pace & Iraqi's rule Iraq so they can finally live the way they want.

Maggie Millington, Brittany, France

To Rob- Your claim that Iraq had WMDs up until the 2003 invasion is totally unsubstantiated and inconsistent with widely accepted facts. David Kay, the head of the Bush Administration's Iraq Study Group, stated after months of investitgation in Iraq that Saddam did not have WMD's. Even the Administration and its supporters aknowledge these findings as fact. The idea that the Bush administration would sacrifice its reputation domestically and abroad simply to avoid potentially embarrassing Syria is equally absurd as the "theory" that on the eve of the invasion Saddam sent all his WMD's to Syria before retreating into hiding. Saddam was brutal dictator who used WMD's against the Kurds in the 1980's, so then why would he refrain from inflicting the same casualties against the U.S. military during their siege of Baghdad?

Chris , South Bend, IN

Mao must be spinning in his grave. During the Long March, he ordered his soldiers who took shelter with peasant families to be polite, pay for their food, treat their hosts as they would their own family. They were instructed to replace the door (used as a guest bed) back on its hinges.

It appears that General Petraeus and Colonel KilCullen have got it right. Their proposed outcome - freedom, democracy, life itself - is winning hearts and minds. Of course, it is easy to compete with an opponent who offers only piano wire.

Arch, Birmingham, Alabama, US

It's times like these that I agree with Grandpa Simpson: "I'll be damned if I'm going to accept Missoura into the Union!" (No offence intended where it's not directed). While I'm not certain of the exact references for the movement of WMD to Syria given by Rob of Wichita Falls, you can still review the FACTS of the history of Iraq's obligations under the CEASE-FIRE that was laid out in 1991. Look at Sec. Coun. Res. 687. In order to maintain the CEASE-FIRE, Iraq was required to comply with disclosures and allow international observers to verify the destruction of WMD. Not even Tariq Aziz (during the 2002-2003 UN Debates) denied the existence of WMD. He stated that they were destroyed, but the destruction was not documented. So...what do you believe: a) destroyed, or b) somewhere else. Pres. Bush did what was long overdue...perhaps too long since I do believe that much of the WMD has escaped Iraq.

Sam, Colorado Springs, CO

Thank God Mr. Bush had the intestinal fortitude to do what he and his team believed needed to be done. Less than 70 years ago, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was aware of the growing danger presented by the Nazi regime and knew the United States would need to take proactive measures to stop Hitler's war machine. Rather put, he knew if we did not stand up for freedom and justice the war would eventually come to us.

In spite of a country who overwhelmingly was against us being involved in a European conflict (over 90% Americans polled were against military intervention), Roosevelt instituted the only peace-time draft in our nation's history. While toeing the line of constitutional legality, he committed our resources to assist in providing Great Britain with war supplies.

Presently, Mr. Bush dares to engage in a similar preference for what he believes to be best for our country over the opinions of those who cry the loudest. Finally we are seeing the positive results. Keep the faith.

Eric, St. Louis, MO

The few in the world who choose to be bad guys, ie Al-Queda, were and have been the real problem. President Bush has taken a courageous stand in opposing tyranny and offering a strong helping hand of freedom to those who could not speak freely for themselves. As a native Nevadan, I hope all America stands with our Flag, President, and Country.

Don Brady, Las Vegas, Nevada

MS. Hoffman,

If memory serves me correct, the president stated, after all or any victories, we must expect more violence from the insurgency in the future.

At what point have we been lied to during the war?

And where do you think the insurgency of Al-Qaide will go
if we pull out?

Oh, they will all return to their homelands and and give up their ideology of an Islamic world.

right...............Ms. Hoffman

Rick Teter, Newark, , OH

Its incredible that it takes so long for this to happen, if it is true, al-Qaeda's brutality was obvious all along. Middle Eastern society has created so many barbarous people. They are not thinking about WMD's, dodgy dossiers or George Bush when they kill, they are closer to Hannibal Lector than a freedom fighter

Adrian, London,

To Mr. Hoffman- Kindly sir, refrain from your whining. Half of what you think were lies weren't even lies. WMDs did, and still DO exist. 20 tons of which(Sarin 1) were confiscated in a foiled terror plot by (the now dead)Zarqawi to bomb Amman, Jordan. Zarqawi operated out of Iraq and Syria, where Saddam had his weapons shipped in Nov 2002 under the guise of "humanitarian aid" to Syrian flood victims. Such details could not be made public due to our efforts at maintaining an amiable relationship with Syria(most likely for reasons involving the Middle East peace process). Instead of disclosing matters and ruining their relationship with Syria, my guess is the Bush admin decided to simply take the hit for lying, unaware that the media would go to such lengths to tear them a new one.
As far as this story is concerned, it's one of many. Things ARE changing for the better over there. It'll take time, but we, the American military, are willing to take the needed to get the job done.

Rob, Wichita Falls, TX

For hardcore terrorists, who include sizeable numbers of hardcare criminal psychopaths, their campaign of death in Iraq is their nirvanna. There is no other goal but killing people. For them peace is death. They live only for a bloodbath.

Emma H., ottawa, Can

A refreshing article that has the courage to give some GOOD news from Iraq, doe a change, unlike most of the media, especially papers like the New York Times!

Minoo Adenwalla, Appleton, United States

In response to the comments of my compatriots from Texas, I would say this: Of course, we would all love to see a free, stable, democratic Iraq. Nobody wants to hand the country over to barbaric terrorists. Unfortunately, we have been lied to so many times by our own government over the past six years, been told so many times that we were on the verge of turning some pivotal corner, that millions of us just assume that reports such as this are more lies. Maybe if we had been told the truth from the outset, that this ordeal would last ten years, claim thousands of lives and cost a trillion dollars, instead of being told that we'd be greeted as liberators, the American public would be more patient and supportive than it is now.

Peter Hoffman, St. Louis, MO

Have the British forgotten what the term '"surge" means? June 6, 1944 was a "surge". Here in the bloodied but unbowed USofA, we are thrilled at this good news. We are behind our President and our Generals 110%. You can find our sniveling Congress Critters on Ebay for a dime a dozen!
And, For God's Sake, don't watch our TV news outlets. It's Leftie Leftie 24/7 each and every day! Chin up, Brits...you are still and will always be magnificent

Margaret Mary, worcester, ma USA

The al-Qaeda's leadership resides within our Beltway... but disguises themselves as the Democratic Leadership and some chicken hearted Republicans.

Beverly Daniel, Newalla, Ok USA

God Bless George Bush.

gman, pinehurst, nc

Too bad that the Democrats and RINOs in Washington are switching to al-Qaeda's side in an unseemly manner just as the Iraqi people are apparently beginning to turn against al-Qaeda. Reid, Pelosi, Feingold, Lugar, et al apparently cannot undermine the fighting effort fast enough to suit themselves.

gunjam, Texas, USA

Somebody tell Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi.

joe, murphy, usa/texas

The Malaya principle at work. Provide security for the inhabitants and you will detach them from the insurgents.

Peter FitzGerald-Morris, Rochester, England

Depressingly, there will be a bloodbath in Europe...and soon. Any doubts? I refer you to the twentieth century.

j, j, j