Broken promises and changing US strategy in Iraq

If you accept that the recent weapons-for-cash plan disarmament program is a good thing (and perhaps it is) you have to wonder about its potential for success when on the first day the money men fail to show. Instead of handing out money, as was promised as part of the deal, IOUs are now being handed out when weapons are brought in. That could explain why the numbers so far have been more of a trickle than a flood. If this was so critical for bringing peace with al-Sadr, someone really botched this program.

Meanwhile in the fighting, or shall I say "precision strikes", there is a noticeable change in US policy. Remember how cautious the US previously was when they were fighting near a mosque? Yesterday in fighting, that caution was thrown out the window. Again, we're seeing a lot more air power and brutal "precision" strikes in order to keep keep casualties low during this election cycle. The Iraqis must be wondering what kind of democracy we're bringing. It's a good thing that Furious George is not allowing US politics to impact the war because he clearly told us that he is against such policy.