Top Commander Says Time Short In Iraq

Adm. William Fallon Says Stabilizing Iraq Will Require "New And Different Actions"

(CBS/AP)  Stabilizing Iraq will require "new and different actions" to improve security and promote political reconciliation, the Navy admiral poised to lead American forces in the Middle East said Tuesday.

Adm. William Fallon, at his confirmation hearing, also told the Senate Armed Services Committee that it may be time to "redefine the goals" in Iraq.

"I believe the situation in Iraq can be turned around, but time is short," he said.

Fallon, 62, who currently is commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific, said he saw a need for a comprehensive approach to Iraq, including economic and political actions to resolve a problem that requires more than military force.

"What we have been doing has not been working," he said. "We have got to be doing, it seems to me, something different."

Fallon said that "we probably erred in our assessment" of the Iraqi government's ability to rebuild its society and establish a peaceful order after the overthrow of President Saddam Hussein nearly four years ago.

"One of the things in the back of my mind that I'd like to get answered is to meet with the people that have been working this issue — particularly our ambassadors, our diplomats — to get an assessment of what's realistic and what's practical," Fallon said.

"And maybe we ought to redefine the goals here a bit and do something that's more realistic in terms of getting some progress and then maybe take on the other things later," he added.

In addition Tuesday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee convened a hearing to consider the nomination of John Negroponte, the first director of national intelligence, to become deputy secretary of state.

Negroponte told the panel that Syria is allowing 40 to 75 foreign fighters to cross its border into Iraq each month and repeated the charge that Iran is providing lethal help to insurgents fighting U.S. forces in Iraq.

Negroponte gave only mild endorsement, however, to the administration's diplomatic hands-off policy toward Damascus and Tehran. Negroponte would lead the department's Iraq policy if confirmed.

Fallon and Negroponte's confirmations were not expected to rouse Senate protests, despite bitter opposition in Congress to President Bush's plan to send 21,500 more troops to Iraq.

Public sentiment has turned strongly against a war that has dragged on for nearly four years with more than 3,000 American dead and violence unabated by insurgents and sectarian militias.

Mr. Bush nominated Fallon to replace Army Gen. John Abizaid, who is retiring after nearly four years as commander of Central Command.

Fallon said he did not know how many extra troops will be needed in Iraq to successfully implement the new strategy Mr. Bush announced Jan. 10. The president approved the deployment of an additional 21,500 troops between now and May.

Asked by Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., chairman of the committee, whether the flow of additional U.S. troops would be tied to progress by the Iraqis on political and other commitments they made to Mr. Bush, Fallon said he had not yet studied the plans in detail, given his continuing responsibilities as Pacific Command chief.

"I'm surprised you don't have that understanding going in, frankly," Levin said.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., the senior Republican on the committee, said he hoped Fallon intended to give Congress his unvarnished view of conditions in Iraq and elsewhere in his Central Command region.

"Too often administration officials came before this committee and the American people and painted a rosy scenario when it was not there," McCain said, referring to Iraq.

"We need candid assessments, and you'll get them from me," Fallon said.

Some were surprised when Mr. Bush chose Fallon to lead Central Command, in light of the protracted land wars it is fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. He would be the first Navy admiral to hold the position.

The Central Command is responsible for U.S. military operations and relations in 27 countries stretching from the Horn of Africa, through the Middle East to Central Asia, including Afghanistan and Pakistan.

In remarks prepared for delivery later Tuesday, Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., a member of the Armed Services Committee who recently returned from a trip to the region, said only another 200,000 or 300,000 U.S. troops would make a substantial difference in Iraq.

"Based on everything I saw last month, and based on my conversations with Iraqi officials, our own military leaders and rank-and-file soldiers, I am convinced more troops won't end the sectarian violence," Nelson said.

Nelson also was expected to deliver a sharp rebuke of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Nelson said that al-Maliki "either lacks the will, or the nerve, to take on the Shiite militias."

Mr. Bush, meanwhile, warned lawmakers about the message they'll be sending with a resolution opposing an Iraq troop buildup.

Mr. Bush told National Public Radio lawmakers will do what "they feel they've got to do," but he said he hopes the Senate doesn't undercut the troops or their mission.

The president said he doesn't understand why senators would confirm a new top general for Iraq but vote against the buildup the general supports. He sees that as a "contradictory message."

Last Friday the Senate approved, 81-0, Mr. Bush's nomination of Army Lt. Gen. David Petraeus to be the senior U.S. commander in Iraq. Petraeus, who is replacing Gen. George Casey, would report to Fallon.

[johnshaft4]

Yet, you continue to 'misjudge'. You can't contain Afghan or Iraq. You are going to bankrupt us in Iran...

[hillaryin08]

HILLARY 2003: There is a very easy way to prevent anyone from being put into harm's way, that is for Saddam Hussein to disarm. And I have absolutely no belief that he will. I have to say that this is something I've followed for more than a decade. If he were serious about disarming, he would have been much more forthcoming. I ended up voting for the resolution after carefully reviewing the information, intelligence that I had available, talking with people whose opinions I trusted, tried to discount the political or other factors that I didn't believe should be in any way a part of this decision. I would love to agree with you, but I can't based on my own understanding and assessment of the situation.

HILLARY: With respect to whose responsibility it is to disarm Saddam Hussein, I just do not believe that, given the attitudes of many people in the world community today, that there would be a willingness to take on very difficult problems, were it not for the United States leadership, and I'm talking specifically about what had to be done in Bosnia and Kosovo where my husband could not get a Security Council resolution to save the Kosovar Albanians from ethnic cleansing. And we did it alone as the United States, and we had to do it alone. And so I see it somewhat differently. So forgive me for my experience and perspective.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rOjmDsPg_s

[legendary240]

Hillary is a like a windvane, which ever way the winds of public-opinion blow she just lines right up with it. I prefer someone who is more like a compass to lead this country. That's what the islamos don't want - a strong, determined leader with a clear direction that will not be swayed by polls and the liberal media.

[grumpas]

There isn't much Bush hasn't misjudged!!!! I don't have any faith left in the man to make a good sound rational decision regarding this country! I think there is a 5 year old child walking around in the body of a man! He doesn't have a gram of good common sense or he would have never invaded Iraq! Anyone familiar with the region knew he would be unleashing all kinds of trouble! When you have religious fanatic's involved Guerilla warfare is always a mistake!

[legendary240]

Islam is the problem and will always be the problem. Show me where on the map that it is observed closely and creates a free nation. You can't because it is a religion of violence and oppression. Aren't the little boys so cute with their swords slicing their heads open on Ashura? Ah, the peaceful religion of Islam - it brings such comfort. Not.

[inventagod]

With the Misunderestimatin' President at the wheel, what else could happen in Iraq and elsewhere. Bu$h thinks everyone else in the world "Tawks funny, dresses wierd and worships the wrong gawd."
And then, shiiteforbrains fires the generals who could have made a difference.
It's all lies anyway, folks.
From start to finish, history will prove how wrong this administration was on all counts.

[katarina7-2009]

I wonder if they said this BEFORE they knew Iran was involved in the war also ? I thought it very odd that Iraqi people would continuously kill their own children in their own country ! Now we KNOW it is more than that, that it is IRAN involved in this war, its obvious when the weapons and arms found are made in Iran.
Now we know why Bush has ships over there !!!
Iran is not smart to create nuclear plants or weapons, it is dangerous to the people, just like our government has been dangerous to us by allowing them in America.

[huskerarmy]

"That's what the islamos don't want - a strong, determined leader with a clear direction that will not be swayed by polls and the liberal media."

Fact: "W" has made Iraq a "cause celeb" and has been a bonanza for recruiting terrorists. He's exactly what they want.

[vancouverboo]

I get so tired of hearing The Stupidity
Defense over and over again.

"We're not evil, we're just stupid."

The other one that I get tired of hearing is the "I've suffered enough" defense. "Oh, I'm so sorry I did it, but I've suffered enough by getting caught and I shouldn't have to pay more than that for my crime."

[dallison7]

Just one question:

WHERE IS BIN LADEN??

[random_radar]

Osama Bin Laden died a long time ago. President Bush and other government officials admitted this, then decided to cover it up for PR purposes.

[dallison7]

Hopefully he's dead.
Posted by singinrick at 11:02 AM : Jan 30, 2007


May have laughed himself to death listening to the neocons say 'remember 9/11' when discussing Iraq.

[random_radar]

50,000 men died fighting in Viet Nam for nothing. The communists took over, hated us, then decided to deal with us. Viet Nam is now our friends and trading partner.

Several thousand men and women have died fighting in Iraq, and it will turn out to be for nothing. Some radical regime will take over, hate us, then decide to deal with us. It won't be long until Iraq is our friend and trading partner.

But the loyal, valiant, brave soldiers will still be dead. What a way to support our troops! What wonderfully short sighted people we are!

[luvny-2009]

The president said he doesn't understand why senators would confirm a new top general for Iraq but vote against the buildup the general supports. He sees that as a "contradictory message."

DUH that's because he's too STUPID

[antoniof123]

Once the wealthy start losing their money because of this war then we will leave until then they are making money so we stay. What part of democracy do you not understand. The rich say what the poor must do.

[changeit4]

"The president said he doesn't understand why senators would confirm a new top general for Iraq but vote against the buildup the general supports. He sees that as a 'contradictory message.'"

Bush doesn't understand--the only truth in the report.

What I don't understand is why a Navy man is going to be in charge of a ground war. Nothing smells of desperation like this one.

Congress will confirm anyone who can help clean up Bush's mess. Petraeus is the latest in a long line of puppets and scapegoats for this administration. His confirmation, and ultimately his resignation, is a moot point since Congress can't stop the bloodletting.

The general supports the troop buildup because you told him to, not because he's a volunteer. Early retirement, General?

[hillaryin08]

jh6379

Ok, what do we do after that?

[macusweil]

"What we have been doing has not been working. We have got to be doing, it seems to me, something different." brilliant!! give the man a pay raise. Gee I wonder how long he spent coming up with this? No wonder they're putting him in charge.

[changeit4]

It doesn't quite make sense that this administration wouldn't capitalize on the death of bin Laden. Where's the report of his death, or is there one?

I have noticed that he's not reading any of his threats or jihadist morale boosters on Arab TV much anymore...

[bluestardad]

This Squid is another Bobble Head that Supports the Bush party line he would sell his mother for another star!

[karlimhof]

But the loyal, valiant, brave soldiers will still be dead. What a way to support our troops! What wonderfully short sighted people we are!

Posted by random_radar

Right on - it's all a power game of chess - and we are the pieces - expendable, replaceable - and why? BECAUSE WE GO TO THE SLAUGHTER FOR IDEALS & PRINCIPLES and those *** know it and pull our strings everytime.

We should have from now on a law that says as soon as our government starts making war noises - we convene Congress and WE DISCUSS IT FIRST.

Old Sen, Robert Byrd said true, standing ALONE in the Senate speaking to the walls (recorded on youtube): "THIS HOUSE IS ERRILY SILENT, THERE IS NO DISCUSSION, THERE'S NOTHING". Makes me shiver when I hear it live, knowing the old Byrd was right.

[macusweil]

Why did they Bush/Cheney/Rummy let Bin Laden get away?

Easy to figure out~ it simply wasn't in the Project for the New American Century play book. Bush wanted to cut 'n run in Afghanistan as soon as he could to get to the real prize, Iraq and their oil. Remember GOP (Gas, Oil & Petroleum)

[bluestardad]

Make the Congress and the Administration define who the enemy is in Iraq. The Neocons cannot tell you who we are sending our troops to fight. It is a sure bet that the Chicken Hawks are not going to go fight. Saudis are aiding the Sunnis and Iran is aiding the Shiites and the 12 former members of Saddam%u2019s regime are running scared hiding in caves! So how do we tell our troops to fire upon? Why is America even there? OK here is your chance, don%u2019t just set in front of your computer and complain spouting meaningless rants of sludge, do something about it! This is the contact address for your Senator! Send them a message of your opinion. All Class Two Senators are up for Reelection in 2008. Be respectful even if they do not deserve it because their office does! http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

[j-whitman]

Good Morning,, Here's an MSNBC article on Bush's excellerating problems with Arab's (How To Lose Friends & Infulence Enemy's)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16877295/page/2/

[gangesdak]

When pro- escalation groups argue that bringing our troops back soon would mean that many of our soldiers died in vain, they forget that a soldier does not fight for a cause. Glory of a solder is to give up everything, even life, by following the orders of the superior, however shortsighted, without question. How many people can do that? Long live our brave soldiers. Politicians cook up a cause, and soldiers suffer. Bring our troops back, and soon. USA has no moral responsibility of %u201Cprotecting%u201D democracy in Middle East. Democracy is dead on arrival in that entire region, so is all the noise about %u201Cliberating the women%u201D there. Make USA better with better moral life, better education and superior health care.

[hillaryin08]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rOjmDsPg_s

[karlimhof]

can anyone explain "time is short in Irak"? Do they have different clocks there???

Uh, maybe he means the resistance groups are getting bigger and stronger, like in a civil war?

And maybe he thinks we can stop that cement truck?

Until this war started, I thought most people were more intelligent than me, now I'm feeling like rocket scientist.

[bluestardad]

Make the Congress and the Administration define who the enemy is in Iraq. The Neocons cannot tell you who we are sending our troops to fight. It is a sure bet that the Chicken Hawks are not going to go fight. Saudis are aiding the Sunnis and Iran is aiding the Shiites and the 12 former members of Saddam%u2019s regime are running scared hiding in caves! So who do we tell our troops to fire upon? Why is America even there?

[hillaryin08]

Russ doesent have the balls to cut food, fuel, ammunition and water from the troops in combat any more than you have the balls to spit on a grunt.

Your in a liberal dream world. Now, check this out. Here is a real story.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=2rOjmDsPg_s

[ramos937]

I vividly recall a segment of the book Fiasco. In it, a Major General is in a dinning room in Iraq and starts to pass some young Marines glued to CNN. He stops and a young Marine turns to him and says, "General, we just lost the Iraq War". CNN had been carrying coverage of Abu Grahib. The young Marine knew what he was talking about.

[tuckerndfw]

The Iraq Study Group has already done the work, Admiral, all you have to do is implement their plan.

The problem being Bozo Bush and his inability to grasp the concept he is incompetent. His "plan" is to "stay the course" regardless how many people unnecessarily die until he leaves office in 2008.

The problem isn't in Iraq, the problem is in the White House. It is occupied by war criminals.

[bluestardad]

Bush must be impeached Now! Cheney will go to jail over the libby trial!

[hillaryin08]

Bush will not be impeached. Cheney will not go to Jail and there will be no surrender in Iraq or Afghanistan.

One thing will happen though, Hillary will be your next President.

as long as nobody tricks her...........

[bluestardad]

I am glad hillary will be president I would hope the Marks Brothers could run the country better than the Bush Administration!

[hillaryin08]

I'm sure you are. Its ok if the blood of this conflict is on Bush hands but not a Democrat.

[jsilver2th]

"Some were surprised when Mr. Bush chose Fallon to lead Central Command, in light of the protracted land wars it is fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. He would be the first Navy admiral to hold the position."

Maybe that's a hint...

[f-102a]

I know it is difficult for the Western mind to think in political terms without inserting our beloved "Separation of Church and State".

The Muslims of the Middle East live think and breath with a tribal mentality rooted in "Theocracy" not "Democracy". What we see in Iraq is a "Religious Reformation" that has raged for over 1000 years. Unlike our Western Reformation of the 16th century the Muslim's continue to argue and kill each other.

Have we forgotten peace among Western Christians since Martin Luther and King Henry the VIII has only come within the last century? (Northern Ireland being the last example.) Yes we have lost a grip on our own historical journey and we have an inverted view of what makes the Middle East tick. Even in moderate Turkey non Muslims are not protected and survive in shrinking numbers by living as 2nd class citizens.

Their Reformation is not yet complete. In Iraq we opened the lid previously closed with force by Saddam.

[hillaryin08]

jsilver2th

The ground combatent commanders are still Army and Marines.

[f-102a]

To: jsilver2th

Not True that Adm. Fallon will be the first. Adm. Nimitz held the same position during WWII, albeit, Gen. McArthur was ultimately given parallel authority for certain areas.

[jsilver2th]

to hillaryin08:
I said "Some were surprised when Mr. Bush chose Fallon to lead Central Command, in light of the protracted land wars it is fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. He would be the first Navy admiral to hold the position."

Maybe that's a hint...
Posted by jsilver2th

She said: "The ground combatent commanders are still Army and Marines.
Posted by hillaryin08"

I say: Here's more what I'm getting at:

Cheney: U.S. carrier to Gulf sends "strong signal" Sun Jan 28, 10:06 AM ET
"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - By deploying a second aircraft carrier to the Gulf the United States has sent a "strong signal" that it is in the region to stay and working with allies to deal with an Iranian threat, Vice President *** Cheney said."

For good or ill: Iraq is yesterday's news- don't people get it?

[dallison7]

Bush will not be impeached. Cheney will not go to Jail and there will be no surrender in Iraq or Afghanistan.

One thing will happen though, Hillary will be your next President.

as long as nobody tricks her...........
Posted by hillaryin08 at 01:21 PM : Jan 30, 2007


Congratulations, you're half right!!

[getcentered]

OUR countries citizens voted to have the Congress do something about the war in Iraq. It has been said that somewhat of a proxy war has started in Iraq against Iran.

How the hell do we continue in Iraq when Iran decides to escalate their position there?

Are we going to start a war with Iran too?

Meanwhile in the White House the most cursory and ignorant leaders the United States has ever been duped into voting for continue to press their foolish agenda and hope that the American people DON'T get their way.

If it was legal, and I had the opportunity:

I'd KICK Bush, Chenney, Rove and Gonzales in the F-ING MOUTH.

Then I'd stand over them reading the names of the 3000+ US service men and women KILLED in Iraq, then start counting up to the number of DEAD Iraqi civilians who died needlessly in a war that should have never become a reality.

[johnshaft4]

Yep, time IS short to get our people out of there before our troops become HOSTAGES (guests) of the vast majority Shiite militias who ARE ALREADY CONTROLLED by Iran. Look for the fun and games to begin once der Fuhrer Bush insanely attacks Iran. We will never be the same afterwords...

[bluestardad]

This Squid is a Bush Bobble Head Yes Man. We cannot even come up with a four letter word that would defame him more!

[dallison7]

2006 second best year in real estate ever


That is simply not true!! 2005 was the tail end of the real estate boom, the real estate market was in the sh*tter all across the nation in 2006. I'm in the real estate and mortgage business, stop making things up!!

What really sucks about the Bush administration is the lying, looting of the national treasury, loss of the confidence of other nations around the world and the moronic hard-headedness of a president who will sacrifice thousands of lives rather than admit that he made a mistake.

[randalds]

The war is over. We lost. We lost the day we fired the first shot because this was the wrong war, in the wrong place, at the wrong time. We lost because it was unwinnable in the first place and certainly unwinnable doing it on the cheap as Bush did. This was what we used to call in the military a clusterfu*ck. It was all wrong from beginning to end and is still massively and nauseatingly wrong. I can't think of one single thing that the as*sholes in this administration did right. They fu*cked it up from start to the inevitable disgraceful finish. This will go down in history as not just the worst foreign policy decision, but the most god-awful STUPID thing any president has done...ever.

[mbcsmith]

dallison7

Check national averages before you make claims regarding real estate. Because YOUR market is down does not mean that Florida, Nevada, California and many others have done quite well.

[mbcsmith]

RandyBS

Do you libs have anything except whining, moaning and defeatism. I have never seen a group of Americans (I suppose you are) so hell bent on the failure of this country.

[karlimhof]

Here's some news: Condelezza Rice's Nr.2 for Middle East is DAVID SATTERFIELD who is ensuring the "surge" in Bagdad from Dept. of State side.

Check out this guy's credentials; was involved in the US vs. Rosen & Franklin (AIPAC)spy scandal.

I heard in an interview and he sounded more from Dept. of Defense, than State (diplomacy, remember?) He just kept coming on "we will confront Iran & Syria...etc)

With guys like these, the clock is really running out...............................

[ggrab-2009]

We have not learned from our past mistakes. The rich will inherit the earth, and then pound it into nothing.