Meanwhile, the dispute between the al-Maliki government and the US military in Karbala province, over the US operation that killed a relative of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, has worsened, according to McClatchy. Hannah Allam writes:

' Kurdish legislator Mahmoud Othman called Friday's operation "unacceptable" and had strained relations between the countries. "This is a big embarrassment for Prime Minister Maliki because he was in that area two days before the incident, telling his people that we are the masters in our country and the decisions were ours to make," Othman said. "This is why we are afraid of agreements and immunity. … If there are wanted people in any area, why not send an Iraqi force to do the job?"

Why do you so desperately disbelieve them? Are you so afraid that President Bush might at last find the success he predicted that you are willing to spit on the whole situation? What's your sad little scrap of political power worth to you? What arrogance to put your pathetic little piece of the pie ahead of the self-determination of a couple dozen million Arabs.

At any rate when you need back up you are not in complete control. If the US required Canadian back up to keep Seattle in line, it would not be in complete control. Notice I use Seattle, because to use Detroit would be to argue Ron Paul and Pat Buchanan's case-come home America, we don't even have peace in our own cities. What arrogance to believe we can install peace in the Mideast.

Democratic leaders cannot join in sharing the good news, because what is good for the United States and what is good for the citizens of Iraq is not good for Harry Reid, or Nancy Pelosi, or Barack Obama.

I seriously have doubts that there will be enough time to complete the mission. The Dems are so determined to make sure we lose & that a whole bunch of people get killed. It will help their election chances…

But I'm glad at least for a little good news.

See, the Iraqi army and police force is going to require assistance for a number of years. You don't just build an entire security apparatus in six years, or even ten. Logistical assistance takes time and a lot of money to build and that will come along after the more immediate requirements. Also, experienced mid-level NCOs and police officers (Sergeants and Lieutenants), which are critical to the efficient and effective operation of any police department or military take time to get. You can't just hire them and they don't just spring from the ground.

But make no mistake. The Iraqis are calling the shots in these provinces.

The WaPo and the NY Times both report:

For example, in an analysis based on a classified study of Iraqi Army battalions, the office concludes that just 10 percent of them are capable of operating independently in counterinsurgency operations and that even then they rely on American support.