Member-only story

Soldiers, Civilians, and the Myth of the Surge

Albert Reed

·3.7k Followers· Follow

Published in Ghost Riders Of Baghdad: Soldiers Civilians And The Myth Of The Surge

4 min read · 2 weeks before

224 View Claps

54 Respond

Save

Listen

The surge in Iraq, which began in 2007 and lasted until 2011, was one of the most controversial episodes in the history of the Iraq War. Proponents of the surge argued that it would reduce violence and create the space necessary for political reconciliation. Critics argued that it would simply prolong the war and increase its costs.

The evidence on the surge is mixed. Some studies have found that it did reduce violence, while others have found that it had little effect. Similarly, some studies have found that the surge led to increased political reconciliation, while others have found that it had little impact.

Ghost Riders of Baghdad: Soldiers, Civilians, and the Myth of the Surge

by Daniel A. Sjursen

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	17354 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	296 pages

Ultimately, the surge was a complex and controversial event with both positive and negative consequences. In this article, we will explore the evidence on the surge and assess its impact on the Iraq War.

The Surge in Iraq

The surge in Iraq began in February 2007, when President George W. Bush announced that he would be sending an additional 21,500 troops to Iraq. The goal of the surge was to reduce violence and create the space necessary for political reconciliation.

The surge was a major escalation of the war in Iraq. At its peak, there were over 160,000 U.S. troops in Iraq. The surge also involved a significant increase in the number of U.S. airstrikes and ground operations.

The surge had a significant impact on the war in Iraq. Violence declined significantly in the months following the start of the surge. The number of U.S. casualties also declined. However, the surge did not lead to the political reconciliation that the Bush administration had hoped for.

The Evidence on the Surge

One of the most comprehensive studies of the surge was conducted by the RAND Corporation. The RAND study found that the surge did reduce violence in Iraq. However, the study also found that the surge had little impact on political reconciliation.

Another study, conducted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, found that the surge did not reduce violence in Iraq. The CSIS study also found that the surge had little impact on political reconciliation.

The Impact of the Surge

The surge had a significant impact on the Iraq War. Violence declined significantly in the months following the start of the surge. The number of U.S. casualties also declined. However, the surge did not lead to the political reconciliation that the Bush administration had hoped for.

The surge also had a significant impact on the United States. The war in Iraq became increasingly unpopular with the American public. The surge also cost the United States billions of dollars.

The surge in Iraq was a complex and controversial event with both positive and negative consequences. The surge did reduce violence in Iraq, but it did not lead to the political reconciliation that the Bush administration had hoped for. The surge also cost the United States billions of dollars and became increasingly unpopular with the American public.

The legacy of the surge is still being debated today. Some argue that the surge was a necessary evil that helped to stabilize Iraq and prevent it from falling into chaos. Others argue that the surge was a mistake that prolonged the war and made it more costly. Ultimately, the impact of the surge will continue to be debated for years to come.

Ghost Riders of Baghdad: Soldiers, Civilians, and the Myth of the Surge

by Daniel A. Sjursen

4.6 out of 5