The Bush administration is considering a plan to send 20-to-40-thousand more troops into Iraq to quell insurgent violence, a plan Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says doubts would be successful. Grassley, a Republican, says the so-called surge of troops may not be the best route to take in the war-torn nation.
Grassley says “I’ve been one of these that have been looking for a pullout of troops based on the proposition that things would be getting better. Things aren’t getting better. I would have to listen to military experts and generals in the field to be convinced that more troops are going to make a difference in Baghdad.” Grassley says putting thousands more American troops on the ground might send the wrong message to the newly-elected leaders in Iraq.
Grassley says “I think it might give a further crutch to the Iraqi government not to push the training of their own people, and more importantly, to reform their military police where it’s so corrupt that they can’t do their job and probably lends to the insurgency as well.” Other critics question whether the surge would actually be short-term as it’s being billed.
Grassley says the proposal to significantly boost troop strength in Iraq could run contrary to what needs to be accomplished there. Grassley says “I’m not a fan of that right now. I could be convinced to be a fan of adding a few more troops for a short period of time, but I’m interested in putting pressure on the Iraqis to assume more responsibility, whether or not they want to live in peace, whether or not they want an opportunity to govern themselves and make decisions and stay as one country.”