POLLYANNA PETRAEUS

Almost 3 years ago, Gen. Petraeus was little more than a cheerleader. Note that this op-ed appeared before the November elections. Coincidence?

Battling for Iraq
By David H. Petraeus
Sunday, September 26, 2004; Page B07
Washington Post

BAGHDAD -- Helping organize, train and equip nearly a quarter-million of Iraq's security forces is a daunting task. ... Now, however, 18 months after entering Iraq, I see tangible progress. Iraqi security elements are being rebuilt from the ground up. ... The institutions that oversee them are being reestablished from the top down. And Iraqi leaders are stepping forward,

Equipment is being delivered. Training is on track and increasing in capacity. Infrastructure is being repaired. Command and control structures and institutions are being reestablished.

Iraq's security forces are, however, developing steadily and they are in the fight. Momentum has gathered in recent months.