It seems that the Baghdad Security Plan is working. Retired Admiral James A. Lyons Jr. reports that the success is so great, it may be time to spread out to other areas and deal with Iran using “a multifaceted approach that combines the military “big stick,” meaningful economic sanctions, and quiet support.”

One key objective of the Baghdad Security Plan designed by Gen. David Petraeus was to restore stability, if not civility, to Iraqi life. This was to be accomplished by halting the ethnic cleansing of Sunnis from their western Baghdad neighborhoods and securing the capital’s central area on both sides of Tigris River. Once these military goals had been achieved, vitally needed infrastructure services to the community could be restored. So far, Gen. Petraeus’ counterinsurgency plan has achieved moderate success. According to a recent study by the prestigious International Institute for Strategic Studies in London, ethnic violence has decreased, schools have been renovated and reopened, local street cleaners have been hired, and sewage systems are being rebuilt. In Anbar Province, the indigenous Sunni sheiks have recently allied themselves with American forces to fight against al Qaeda among Iraq’s terrorists.

Indeed, what is occurring both in Baghdad and Ramadi could become the template to be applied elsewhere in Iraq. (Washington Times, hat tip Peace and Freedom)

I’m sure you won’t hear anything from the anti-war crowd about these achievements in Iraq. Could it be that by September Petraeus will actually have a positive report for Congress? And if so, what will their reaction be?

Originally posted at Right Truth