Gen. Abizaid On Stabilizing Iraq

U.S. Commander Talks To Lara Logan About Iraq, Iran And Stability In The Middle East

(CBS)  When it comes to the war in Iraq, no other military man has a job more important than Gen. John Abizaid, the four-star commander of all U.S. forces in the Middle East. He was the first person Congress turned to earlier this month for answers, after American voters demanded a change in course, frustrated by a war that seems to be going nowhere and grows more violent every day.

The general doesn’t grant many interviews, but he agreed to talk to correspondent Lara Logan last week for the first time since that appearance on Capitol Hill. While Logan and Gen. Abizaid came to talk about Iraq, the 60 Minutes was struck by how much the general had to say about Iran.

---

Logan met Gen. Abizaid at his headquarters in Tampa, Fla., as he was preparing to leave on one of his frequent trips to the Middle East.

"Three years into this war, close to 3,000 American soldiers killed and more than 20,000 wounded. A lot of Americans are wondering how it is that we got to this point. I mean, they still remember the president saying, 'Mission Accomplished,’" Logan remarks.

"Nobody's more mindful of the sacrifices of our troops than those of us that command them," Abizaid says. "And I know that the losses have affected many, many lives. But the enemy that we fight is a tough enemy. The enemy can’t be walked away from easily. We have to stabilize Iraq and the broader regional dynamic in order to make the region less conducive to extremism because if we don't, the extremist values will become mainstream and we will have a much worse security situation develop in the future."

According to a U.S. intelligence report on Iraq declassified in September, that’s already beginning to happen. It found the war in Iraq is "shaping a new generation of terrorist leaders" and becoming a "cause celebre … for jihadists."

"Exactly on that point, a national intelligence estimate said it appeared that extremism was emboldened and strengthened by this war. So, how do you think we're doing on stopping those ideas taking root in the region?" Logan asks the general.

"I would tell you that there are parts of the extremist agenda, especially the al Qaeda extremist agenda that remains very dangerous, very deadly. I'd also tell you that there hasn't been an attack on U.S. soil since 9/11. That has a lot to do with our willingness to be forward and fighting there," Abizaid says.

But fighting the war on terror there has made life for many Iraqis unbearable. It's something Abizaid understands: He speaks their language. His fluency in Arabic makes him a military rarity. He's the grandson of Lebanese immigrants and a highly decorated combat veteran who understands the dynamics of this volatile part of the world and the consequences of failure in Iraq.

Asked what his greatest fear for Iraq is, Abizaid says, "My greatest fear is that neighboring countries like Iran and Syria decide that they will destabilize the country more, as opposed to help it come together."

Asked what that would mean for the U.S. if that were to happen, the general says, "If Iraq destabilizes and moves to civil war, it will be a point where Shiite extremists and Sunni extremists will be emboldened and will achieve safe haven, and it will create a problem not only for us but for everybody in the region. That will only lead to more conflict, not less."

But the conflict has already reached a level of violence that many Americans find unacceptable. October was the deadliest month since the war began for Iraqis, and in almost two years for U.S. troops. Snipers are now a constant threat, and roadside bombs continue to claim American lives.

They’re dying, the general says, at the hands of both Sunni extremists and Shiite militants, which he told Logan are backed by the Iranian government's special forces, the Revolutionary Guards Qods Force, who are pouring weapons and money into Iraq.

"At the same time that the government of Iran is talking about stabilizing Iraq, these Revolutionary Guard Qods Force people are supporting the Shia death squads of some of the various splinter…," Abizaid explains.

"So, aren't we already at a war with Iran through its proxies in Iraq?" Logan asks.

"No. We're not at war with Iran through its proxies. We are in a period of making it clear to the Iranians that they need to move to help stabilize Iraq and not destabilize it," Abizaid says.

[rob10001]

Anyone can complain about Ms. Logan but let me try to help by offering some questions she should have asked the General.
Are their plans for a counter-insugency to defeat the death squads?
How much influence is Syria having in supporting the death squads in Iraq? What should be done?
As a Lebanese-American you have insight into the culture of the Middle-East. Is restraint seen as weakness in the culture? Should stronger and more brutal action be taken in the Sunni Triangle against the death squads?
Violence in Iraq seems to peak with American and Iraqi elections. Did the Democratic victory in Congress give hope to the death squads? Do our allies in the Iraqi Army feel that they will be abandoned now that the political climate has changed in Washington away from Bush's vision?

This would have distinguished her and would have been what most Americans would have asked the General themselves. Americans are not Europeans or South Africans. They are not interested in magaging defeat. They are interested in victory over the enemy and how to go about it; Which is exactly why Europe and South Africa after the Cold War are free nations today.

[rob10001]

It is worth mentioning that the only reason I even heard of this interview was because it was linked by a conservative blog site. I certainly do not watch CBS or regularly visit the website.
After watching this interview and hearing the questions asked, I am reminded why I avoid network news.

[rob10001]

What an embarresing interview.
However, being a gentleman, General Abizaid tried to explain without being condecending that death squads with various loyalities using terrorist tactics can cause much havoc but does not constitute a defeat except for a few "courageous" journalists standing on a balcony in Baghdad talking about how defeated the soldiers protecting them are.
Sorry CBS; good luck in your search for your own Anderson Cooper to drag the 20 somethings away from the blogs and back to network news.
I think news consumers are looking for serious inquiry and not someone who supposedly speaks for the US public. If your viewers want the usual DNC talking points of "Mission Accomplished" and "defeat" but the obligatory "support for the military" they can go elsewhere.

[lestb35]

She has risked her own life doing her job.She knows the REALITY ON THE GROUND and that's why she asked those questions to Gen. Abizaid.Gen Abizaid had to be polite because he knows how much she knows about the war.I don't know why people want to be in the STATE OF DENIAL.
Posted by patriotic9 at 11:43 AM : Nov 27, 2006

Yea, really.

[mugrut]

I'm disappointed every time I see Lara Logan on 60 Minutes. Her interview with Gen. Abizaid was a case in point. She used the emotionally charged word "defeat" to describe the option of ending the war. It isn't a defeat if you do the right thing and leave. It's a victory for common sense. I understand CBS and 60 Minutes need to represent youth in their news department, but come on, you can find some better quality news interviewing than that. Hint: Don't look for a pretty face, look for someone who has high standards, and a semblance of objectivity.

[tinker3478]

Bushie is a nut-bucket too so it is a shame he is unable to do more than paste. His comments might be worthwhile.

[patriotic9]

heresmy2cent
I totally agree with you but we shouldn't use those bombs in IRAQ where are troops are deployed.We should use them in IRAN which seems to be very close to become a RADICAL ISLAMIC EMPIRE from IRAN itself in the EAST to LEBANON in the WEST(Thanks to the RADICAL CHRISTIAN CONSERVATIVES who made us see that day),in SYRIA(To stop the flow of SUNNI INSURGENTS in AL ANBAR PROVINCE),NORTH KOREA(before they sell their nukes to OSAMA BIN FORGOTTEN to use them against us in the next possible terrorist attack),and most importantly in those places of PALESTINE where the EUROPAN INVADERS IN PALESTINE live who are the main cause of HATRED,TERRORISM,9/11 and stealing of our tax dollars every year for us being GOD-NEGLECTED and them being GOD-CHOSEN.

[abe25425-2009]

I count on 60 Minutes to teach me something I don't know. This interview with Abizaid was uncharacteristically epidermal and soft hitting. Nothing asked or responded in the piece shed any new light on the situation nor presented some 60 Minutes-esque choregraphed opinion. We can read any paper or watch any news show to tell us the situation sucks in Iraq, Iran's our enemy, our soldiers are getting killed more and more each day, Iraqi police need to take over, etc. Don't just be happy you scored Abizaid, use the opportunity by asking things like, "if all US troops were out of Iraq by Jan 1, walk us through the likely chain of events Iraq would encounter." Or, "In your recent testimony, you said we need stability in 4-6 months. Can we get there that soon? If not, what then, US troop phased withdrawl?" He knows no way we get there in 4-6 months, he would have to say that. Once he concedes that, then if he also concedes we would need to get out after the 4-6 months, then you ask, "if we can't get stability in 4-6 months, and you feel militarily we need to get out after that if we don't see it, then why don't we get out now and save American lives?" I don't know this new reporter, and how much she is responsible for the content of this interview, so I can't comment whether it would have been best left in the hands of a more experienced 60 Minutes prodder. The show itself should be making sure we viewers get something fresh out of each story. Here we got nothing.

[heresmy2cent]

How 'bout we "stabilize" Iraq with a hydrogen bomb?

[qatopboy]

"This stupid woman, Lara Logan - British accented biased stupidity"

She's South African - please don't lump her as a Brit!

Mark (A Brit)

[qatopboy]

Lara Logan is a waste of space as a TV Journo. I'm regular between UK and US and to be quite honest most people were glad to see the back of her at GMTV London. It appears she hasn't improved

[ceekuei]

Most of you out there just do not seem to get it. The invasion of Iraq was a war of choice not of necessity. The bloodshed, the mayhem, and what have you is the result of that decision to invade a sovereign country that had a seat in the UN. Sure, Saddam was a SOB, but so are many so-called leaders out there! Why Saddam, why Iraq? The daily deaths there are all for a selfish purpose and that is to enrich certain sectors and individuals of the American industry and society. War is a business like any other business. Conflicts consume arms and the more the consumption the more profitable would be the military complex. One has to be extremely naive to even remotely envision a scenario that Iraq is all about bringing democracy and all that crab to the region. Is is NOT! Never was and never will be. The tragedy of it all is that thousands died, many more will, and yet there are supporters out there hallucinate into thinking it was a noble undertaking. Nonsense! Bush and gang had a strategy. A strategy of having a permanent military base in Iraq to serve 2 fundamental objectives; control the oil and the pipeline, to protect Israel as an extension of America's hegemony in the region. White Bush and gang waged war, China builds economic bridges and good will all over the world to extends its influence well into the next century. America is weakened by Bush Jr, the self-proclaimed "War President." It is laughable if not for the deaths of so many of his foolishness.

[patriotic9]

mjnoble
"Her bias was fully apparent from early in the interview of Gen. Abazaid"
She is not biased.She has spent more time in IRAQ then anybody posting messages on CBS.com
She has risked her own life doing her job.She knows the REALITY ON THE GROUND and that's why she asked those questions to Gen. Abizaid.Gen Abizaid had to be polite because he knows how much she knows about the war.I don't know why people want to be in the STATE OF DENIAL.

[rafterman1]

...and yet bushrock1 continues to question the loyalty of other Americans simply because they disagree with his point of view. Why?... I'm waiting.

Oh, by the way bushisrock-headed or whatever you call yourself, I'm glad you're happy that old Bushie is "resolute" in his stubborness in dealing with the reality of the disaster in Iraq. Because while he's "resolute", young men and women continue to die for nothing. Maybe you SHOULD send your son over there. When he dies after his third or fourth tour, you can see if you still admire Bushie's "resoluteness". And if you do, then, well, you're an idiot too, along with your commander-in-chief. Now there's something to be proud of. Continued resolution while conmstantly failing, in direct denial of the facts, isn't something to be proud of, it's idiotic and dangerous.

[boogied]

This guy knows what he is talking about. No politics here, pure truth from the front line.

[bluestardad]

This General Abizaid is a Bush and Rummy Bobblehead! he has American Blood on his hands and should be held acountable for his ineptness!

[grumpas]

I was more disappointed in Genral Abizaid's comments! I got the distinct impression he was parroting Bush (probably to keep his job)! So, I didn't really hear anything that made me think he knew what he was talking about! Because to a point I will have to agree with patriotic9! We are never going to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people! Not only due to Palistine and supporting Israel blindly, but due to Bush being a fanatical Christian! I am certain this is playing a very big part in the insurgancy! They see us as trying to Christianize them! For a lot of them it's the Crusades all over again! Bush allowed Christian missionary's in the country when he should have kept them out! These people are Muslim and will have nothing of anything but their religion! Rightly so! How would most Christian's like it if they invaded our country and tried to convert us! Not very well I fear! Most of us would fight to the death! They might be fanatical Muslims but we are lead by a fanatical Christian too! So it's a no win situation!

[Phenry3]

I am a regular viewer of 60 Minutes and look forward to your weekly program. Last night I was very disappointed with the interviewer of Gen. Abizaid. She was not up to standard and came across as very weak. I hope that future programs will not include this person.
Sincerely
Henry Alkin

[mjnoble]

Lara Logan did not distinguish herself as a good journalist with this story. Her bias was fully apparent from early in the interview of Gen. Abazaid. She may be bright and quick thinking, but a good reporter must 1st be objective in the interview. Gen. Abazaid was very patient and kind to her.

[patriotic9]

logicdoug
Thanks so much.I really apreciate it.You made everything so clear in your comments.I totally agree with you.