More American troops are being deployed to hot spots of insurgent activity near Baghdad, Gen. David Petraeus announced Thursday. Petraeus, just beginning his tenure as U.S. military commander in Iraq, called for future negotiations with anti-government groups as well as those in support of the new Iraqi regime. “Military action is necessary to help improve security,” he said, “but it is not sufficient. There needs to be a political aspect.”


BBC:

Gen. Petraeus said improving the situation in Iraq required more than armed force.

“There is no military solution to a problem like that in Iraq, to the insurgency of Iraq,” he said.

“Military action is necessary to help improve security… but it is not sufficient. There needs to be a political aspect.”

He said some groups “who have felt the new Iraq did not have a place for them” would have to be engaged in talks.

Read more

Wait, before you go…

If you're reading this, you probably already know that non-profit, independent journalism is under threat worldwide. Independent news sites are overshadowed by larger heavily funded mainstream media that inundate us with hype and noise that barely scratch the surface. We believe that our readers deserve to know the full story. Truthdig writers bravely dig beneath the headlines to give you thought-provoking, investigative reporting and analysis that tells you what’s really happening and who’s rolling up their sleeves to do something about it.

Like you, we believe a well-informed public that doesn’t have blind faith in the status quo can help change the world. Your contribution of as little as $5 monthly or $35 annually will make you a groundbreaking member and lays the foundation of our work.

Support Truthdig