Friday, April 18, 2008

Mission not accomplished: suicide bombings doubled in 2007, over a half million GIs with brain injuries/mental problems

In a report (pdf) published by the National Defense University in Washington, retired colonel and former senior adviser to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Joseph Collins has described the Iraq as a "major debacle" whose outcome is "in doubt."

Read excerpts (USA Today) from the Colonel's report that calls the Bush Administration's decision to invade: "a classic case of failure to adopt and adapt prudent courses of action that balance ends, ways, and means" resulting in a "damaged" and "fallen" status as a moral leader in the world, "a severely strained military," and "a negative impact on all other efforts in the war on terror."

The cost of invasion has been high.

A study by the RAND Corp. estimated 320,000 troops have sustained a possible traumatic brain injury during deployment and another 300,000 suffer from symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder or depression. (story)

On top of all that, what has been accomplished? Terrorist suicide bombings doubled world wide in 2007 compared with 2006 according to data compiled by U.S. government experts. (story)

Looks like "the surge" has had quite an effect.

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