A General Thought

General John Abizaid announced his retirement, effective March 2007. "After 50 months out here, I think it's okay to think about retiring," he said. He's probably right, four years is a long tour. He's highly regarded within the military and certainly has the credentials--Lebonese-American, speaks Arabic, masters degree in Mid-East history--but he has not succeeded in his mission to secure Iraq against violence. That result, may well have other causes that go beyond the general's and the military's performance (read: BushCheney neo-con fantasy). Regardless, I'd say it's time for Gen. Abizaid to go, if for no other reason than the job and its frustrations have to be wearing on a body.

But his action is certainly inconsistent with BushCheney's rhetoric about the clash of civilizations and the dire peril to the Republic. If this is the test of our generation like World War II, Gen. Abizaid's retirement would be like George Patton retiring in August 1944. I also note that the general is unlikely to be stop lossed or recalled from Ready Reserve but he has around 30 years in already so I won't quibble.

Apparently, Gen Abizaid was honest and straightforward in his judgment and willingness to tell it like it is to his superiors. From the results he obtained, it doesn't look like that helped much.