The Secretary of Defense acknowledged for the first time that the Bush administration might have misjudged the ability of Iraq's political leaders to bring about political reconciliation.
He says he's "optimistic" about the security situation in Iraq, saying it's improving. But he is "discouraged" at the lack of political progress, particularly in light of the departure of the largest Sunni bloc from the ruling Iraqi coalition.
The comments are a stark contrast to the administration's insistence that the "surge" will give Iraqi political leaders "breathing space" to reconcile.
Gates says he sees political progress on a local level, but, of course, local politics is not sectarian politics.
Could this be the opening salvo in a new approach toward "soft partition"?
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. 9(MDAzMjM2NDYzMDEyMzc1Njk5NjAxNzY3OQ001))
