"It so happens that the world is undergoing a transformation to which no change that has yet occurred can be compared, either in scope or rapidity."

Leave was a blast. Lots of good family time relaxation, and a chance to catch the breath and do some thinking. Iraq chugs on. We seem to be waiting on a decision- will we stay or go? A good chunk of forces are leaving, and we are setting the conditions for it, but we are to a point where we really need a decision to be made. Every day is a different opinion of what we should do and a different rumor of what we will do. There have been a series of articles in the paper about the future and pending votes and discussions (one is below) so at least we are now talking about it.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/mullen-urges-iraq-to-decide-soon-on-troops-status/2011/08/02/gIQA5ri3oI_story.html?hpid=z4

Things were pretty busy for us in June and July but they have calmed down a bit. The Iraqis (mostly the Army, some of the Government) took some responsibility for a lot of bad things happening to the east of us but the Government stepped up and the security forces seem to have it in check in their own clown car way (and after some healthy prodding from the US: "hey, are you guys gonna do something about those guys launching rockets at us?"). While I was gone our partnered Iraqi Army unit in Maysan did several sustained operations to counter the Iranian influence, and they did a fairly good job, obtaining visible effects. They get better with each one. It also appears a combination of Ramadan and heat has slowed folks down in the good way (not as many visible and active shows of disapproval of US presence), which we don't object to, either. We'll see how long it lasts.

There are good points and bad points to leaving. Good points mean we get to go home, and close a chapter of American history. I think there has been a lot of good done here that most folks don't see-- no more fears of Saddam's henchmen showing up at night, people can speak their mind without fear of government reprisal, and a society that is learning it can stand up for itself. The economy is improving-- Basrah is active with foreign investment. And the world has shown Iran and other dictatorial countries in this part of the world that they are under watch and someone will act (cynical comment: if it is in our interests). The bad point to leaving is that this is still an unstable region, capable of being influenced by its neighbors. Iraq needs the catharsis, though, to become what it will become. It would be a shame for us to leave and the place crumbles, given the 5000 Soldiers who have fallen in pursuit of a stable Iraq.

Don't get me wrong-- I'm not calling it a success. But it's not a failure, either. Yet. The quote is from Charles De Gaulle.

Stay tuned.
Ron