General: "We're probably at about the 80-20 measure right now of coalition- to Iraqi-led operations"

[sabra]

http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2008/ss_iraq_03_05.asp

<snip>

"Al Qaida is trying to come back in," U.S. military commander Gen. David Petraeus said. "We can feel it and see it, and what we're trying to do is rip out any roots before they can get deeply into the ground."

The general said Al Qaida was turning to women suicide bombers because the insurgency network failed to drive car bombs through military and police checkpoints.

"Al Qaida is incredibly resilient, and they are receiving people and supplies through Syria — although numbers through Syria are down as much as 50 percent," Petraeus said.

...

Thomas said anti-Al Qaida operations in Mosul would continue for at least several more months. He said the Iraq Army — with about 20,000 soldiers in his seven-province command — was leading about 20 percent of joint missions.

"We're probably at about the 80-20 measure right now of coalition- to Iraqi-led operations," Thomas said. "But you see that growing every day, and it's in line with the capability that the Iraqis are demonstrating."

At this rate McCain's 100 year prediction seems about right :crazy:

[Dhalgren]

1. Of course everyone should know that "coalition" means US, since

there ain't nobody else. You know, we need a new designation, a new term for "beyond stupid" (which is where we, as a nation, now reside). How about "dubyish" We are just too fucking dubyish to be in charge of anything more complicated than a melting Popsicle contest...

[jkevin10]

2. Iraq

We use to hear all the time about "coalition
forces". WHERE ARE THEY NOW? How many troops are NOT
American troops in Iraq now? Would someone PLEASE explain why
the democrats do not reference the LACK of "allies"
in this war? Have we been abandoned by our "friends"
in this war? Also, what IS the DEFINITION of "winning
this war". I keep hearing Sen. Mccain talk about we are
not leaving until we "win" this war. Does he even
KNOW what that means?