Progress in Iraq

At the beginning of this year, the Multi-National Force-Iraq military command released its annual report on the state of affairs in the war-torn country once dominated by Saddam Hussein's dictatorial regime. Called "Iraq: 2006 Year in Review," the 25-page report offers some valuable insight into the progress being made, even as anti-war activists and members of Congress call for the withdrawal of American troops.

The report reveals early on the complexity that is post-Saddam Hussein Iraq: "It is important to note that violence and progress coexist in Iraq." With each year that passes since the American-led invasion in 2003, the violence seems to get worse. To be sure, as the report says, "In 2006, Iraq saw its most complex security and political environment ever."

But amid the steady stream of violence and chaos that fills the television airwaves, remarkable strides are in fact being made. According to the report, "...in 2006 Iraq reached its goal of 325,000 trained and equipped police and military security forces while taking control of its navy, air forces, multiple Iraqi Army divisions, and security responsibility for three entire provinces."

The report goes on to note that "Baghdad...remains the main stage," giving implicit support to the President's plan to boost troop levels in order to quell the violence in the capital city.

Providing statistics to demonstrate the progress made thus far, the report says Iraqi military forces have grown from 102,199 personnel to 135,783. Similarly, the police forces have grown from 110,816 to 167,210 and nearly 100 logistical support units have been formed. From January to November, the report says, the Iraqi Army went from one to six division headquarters in the lead, from eight to 30 brigade headquarters in the lead and from 37 to 91 battalions in the lead for security operations.