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Strategically challenged

Five years after declaring ''mission accomplished'' in Iraq, President Bush still lacks a complete plan for combating terrorism

Published on Monday, May 05, 2008

Thursday marked five years since President Bush landed on the deck of the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, declaring, under the banner ''Mission Accomplished'': ''Major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed.'' On that day, the toll of American dead in Iraq stood at 140. Today, the count exceeds 4,000. That moment, the president so full of himself, has become representative of a White House arrogant, unknowing and ill-prepared.

More, the scene has become emblematic of an attitude of loose optimism. Capture Saddam Hussein, and the tide would turn. Or hold elections. Or craft a constitution. Or launch the ''surge,'' which for all the ''breathing space'' achieved has yet to yield the necessary political reconciliation among Iraqis.

The strategy still amounts to waiting for Iraqis to do their part. What the Bush team failed to understand is how difficult that would prove in such a fractured country. Count the days, 1,874 since the president's carrier declaration, and you revisit the concern: What has the Iraq mission accomplished overall, with Iran emboldened, American influence diminished — and most telling, al-Qaida and the Taliban regrouping in what has become a haven in western Pakistan, along the border with Afghanistan?

Of the many assessments of the war against terrorism, few have been as disturbing as the report last month by the Government Accountability Office. Members of Congress, Democrats and Republicans, asked the office for its evaluation of the effort to combat the threat posed by Osama bin Laden and his ilk. The report wasn't kind, stating the country lacks a comprehensive plan for achieving the objective.

The report states firmly that ''it is hard to overestimate the importance of Pakistan in the struggle against Islamic terrorism.'' Unfortunately, the Bush White House poured money ($10 billion since 2002) into the heavily flawed regime of Pervez Musharraf, the Pakistani president, and the Pakistani military — and has little to show for the investment.

The GAO measured the president against the standard set by the Sept. 11 commission and others in shaping an effective strategy. Recall that the commission spent much time stressing the advantages of collaboration across the departments. It was particularly stung by the lack of coordination prior to the attacks. The accountability office laments the continued failure to act together effectively.

Part of the trouble is the diversion of attention and resources to Iraq. A beefed-up effort in Afghanistan is critical. Yet the report takes pains to emphasize: That isn't enough. Pakistan is the central front in the war against terrorism, requiring deeper attention, more investment and a sense of urgency.

The opening resides in the new faces now playing leading roles in Pakistan. They talk about wanting to win hearts and minds in the western reaches of their country. A soundly engaged White House would ease anti-American feelings. Already the Bush team has made adjustments, deploying millions to fix schools and hospitals. The long, hard work will fall to the next president to coordinate and navigate keenly. This president has had five years.

Thursday marked five years since President Bush landed on the deck of the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, declaring, under the banner ''Mission Accomplished'': ''Major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed.'' On that day, the toll of American dead in Iraq stood at 140. Today, the count exceeds 4,000. That moment, the president so full of himself, has become representative of a White House arrogant, unknowing and ill-prepared.

Get the full article here.


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