MOSQUE BOMBING After the February attack on a Shiite shrine in Samarra, sectarian violence soared, dealing a blow to U.S. strategy.
Chaos Overran Iraq Plan in ’06, Bush Team Says (click title to entry above. thank you)
...General Casey repeatedly argued that his plan offered the best prospect for reducing the perception that the United States remained an occupier — and it was a path he thought matched Mr. Bush’s wishes. Earlier in the year, it had.
But as Baghdad spun further out of control, some of the president’s advisers now say, Mr. Bush grew concerned that General Casey, among others, had become more fixated on withdrawal than victory.
Now, having ousted Mr. Rumsfeld, Mr. Bush sees a chance to bring in a new commander as he announces a new strategy, senior military officials say. General Casey was scheduled to shift out of Iraq in the summer. But now it appears that it may happen in February or March....
But as Baghdad spun further out of control, some of the president’s advisers now say, Mr. Bush grew concerned that General Casey, among others, had become more fixated on withdrawal than victory.
Now, having ousted Mr. Rumsfeld, Mr. Bush sees a chance to bring in a new commander as he announces a new strategy, senior military officials say. General Casey was scheduled to shift out of Iraq in the summer. But now it appears that it may happen in February or March....
This brings us to today for the most part. We have to get to the 'reasons' behind the continued mess in Iraq, but, Casey is now Chief of Staff at the USA Army. Needless to say, he didn't meet Steven Hadley's expectations either. Poor, Hadley insisted the generals needed to 'clear and hold' so the reconstruction could ensue. But, Mr. Hadley just didn't understand why it was so blastedly tough getting to 'the hold' part.
