surge isn't working?

[KING SIZE]

http://www.youtube.com/v/dZlQmdZaAj8

fast foward to 5:45, this is an interview with bob woodward on the last bill maher.. at one point bill maher hints at exploding gift baskets as a joke, but woodward later responds that bill wasn't too far off.

think this guy is full of shit and trying to sell books.. or do you really think something was implemented that dramatically dropped the level of insurgent violence.

[PETA]

As I understood it (I think I read it in a review of a book by Bing West called The Strongest Tribe) the surge did use targetted assassinations of AQI leaders which was very effective.

[KING SIZE]

Originally Posted by St. Stalin the Apathetic

As I understood it (I think I read it in a review of a book by Bing West called The Strongest Tribe) the surge did use targetted assassinations of AQI leaders which was very effective.

i'm willing to go out on a limb and say that while that may have been a part of it, it's probably something that's on another level beyond that. i mean, it's obviously violent and very effective, and highly classified.. who knows really. could be new weaponry..

[PETA]

Originally Posted by KING SIZE

i'm willing to go out on a limb and say that while that may have been a part of it, it's probably something that's on another level beyond that. i mean, it's obviously violent and very effective, and highly classified.. who knows really. could be new weaponry..

I'll see if I can find the review but as I understood it, it was just old fashioned intelligence gathering target identification and a well aimed bullet taking out top AQI leaders. After the Anbar Awakening the locals began IDing the AQI who had up until then been able to move about without fear of being detected (or narced on).

[KING SIZE]

right on, well whatever is going on.. they've put some fear in them.

[PETA]

Originally Posted by KING SIZE

right on, well whatever is going on.. they've put some fear in them.

To be sure. AQI could come back if we leave precipitously but if we don't their presence, influence and impact will continue to fade. A combination of factors coming together (The Awakening, the surge, the elevation of Petreus and Odierno and their CI plan) had a tremndous impact and probably more quickly than they thought it would.