Time is the most needed element for success in Iraq

Ralph Peters has an interesting interview with Gen. Petraeus touching on several aspects of the current situation in Iraq. He closes with this question:

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Q: Now that the surge is fully in place, what's your sense of the positives and negatives thus far? If you could have more of any one item, what would it be? Troops? Time? Iraqi unity?

A: I can think of few commanders in history who wouldn't have wanted more troops, more time or more unity among their partners; however, if I could only have one at this point in Iraq, it would be more time. This is an exceedingly tough endeavor that faces countless challenges.

None of us, Iraqi or American, are anything but impatient and frustrated at where we are. But there are no shortcuts. Success in an endeavor like this is the result of steady, unremitting pressure over the long haul. It's a test of wills, demanding patience, determination and stamina from all involved.

The answers earlier make clear that our troops are still highly motivated and have much better moral than Congress has in this fight. The problem is that Congress does not look like it is willing to give these troops the time they need to achieve their objective. This scrimping on the element of time will have bad consequences for this country and cause our military to have to fight more not less against an enemy that will have more not less resources. It is a huge mistake that Democrats seem bent on making. Before making such a decision, every member of Congress should be required to read and take a test on the counterinsurgency manual that Gen. Petraeus helped author.