"It may take decades" until Iraqi forces will be able control the country

[Ava]

The top U.S. military commander in Iraq, Gen. George W. Casey Jr., predicted last week that Iraqi security forces would be able to take control of the country in 12 to 18 months. But several days spent with American units training the Iraqi police illustrated why those soldiers on the ground believe it may take decades longer than Casey's assessment.

Seventy percent of the Iraqi police force has been infiltrated by militias, primarily the Mahdi Army, according to Shaw and other military police trainers. Police officers are too terrified to patrol enormous swaths of the capital. And while there are some good cops, many have been assassinated or are considering quitting the force.

"None of the Iraqi police are working to make their country better," said Brig. Gen. Salah al-Ani, chief of police for the western half of Baghdad. "They're working for the militias or to put money in their pocket."

Link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/30/AR2006103001323_pf.html

[thingfisher]

1. Thanks to Bremer

(under orders from the administration) the Iraqi army and police and all the competent officers thereof were disbanded. Supposedly it was because they were all Baathists. Of course in a dictatorship like Saddams there isn't much choice for anyone in the army to declare themselves anything else!

I'm sorry but I think even this administration was aware of what the likely consequences would be of such a move. Chaos. Ipso facto they got what they wanted. Chaos.

The economic destabilization of America and the world is upon us. Get readt for the real New World Order.