Quote Originally Posted by Freak Out
Dramatic humanitarian efforts? I agree we have worked hard to turn this debacle around but I think the ethnic cleansing of all the major hoods in Baghdad, mixed or otherwise had more to turning the tide than more troops did.

You're right that the violence burning itself out is key, a point that doesn't get mentioned enough. Probably that was just as important as anything the U.S. did.

But I think "dramatic humanitarian efforts" is not out of line. The change in focus towards protecting the civilian population has been essential.

And if the country had followed Obama's judgement and withdrawn in 2006-2007, I'm pretty sure we would have seen a horrible bloodbath.