General John Abizaid told the media that there has been "great progress on the security front" in Baghdad thanks to the new clampdown involving increased US troops. Recent numbers seem to bear him out. Though the initial two week period of the new security initiative showed an appalling Iraqi casualty count of 256 slain (combined civilian and security personnel, based on numbers compiled by the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count), the following two weeks saw that count drop to 143. That compares a little favorably to the 154 slain during the first two weeks of the previous "new" security crackdown which was later determined to be a failure.
This improvement came about because of the infusion of thousands of additional American military personnel into the capital city. Whether the apparent success or the numbers required to bring it about can be maintained is a matter of conjecture. In the meantime, the door has been opened for the call-up of thousands of retired Marines through the Individual Ready Reserve - tapping into the military's "rainy-day fund," as it were. Additionally, it remains to be seen whether the increased security in Baghdad will come at a cost of greater insurgent activity, and attendant civilian casualties, elsewhere in the country.
One thing is apparent: the president is dialing down talk of "progress" in Iraq these days.
(Cross-posted.)
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