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Iraq Security and Strategy Series With the insurgency showing no signs of letting up and talk of a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq making headlines, Morning Edition recently aired a variety of viewpoints on the subjects of Iraq security and strategy. Collected here are the stories from the week of Nov. 28-Dec. 2.
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Iraq Security and Strategy Series

Murtha Raises Question of Troop Sentiment on Iraq

Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) has said that in calling for U.S. withdrawal from Iraq, he is passing on the views of military personnel. People on all sides of the debate in Iraq say the military is with them. But verifying such claims can be difficult, since troops are supposed to avoid direct involvement in political debates.

Murtha Raises Question of Troop Sentiment on Iraq

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Former Military Official: U.S. Presence in Iraq Fuels Terrorism

Most influential national security voices have said it would be a mistake for the U.S. to get out of Iraq immediately. But retired Lt. Gen. William Odom says our presence in Iraq is fueling al Qaeda. Steve Inskeep talks to the onetime director of the National Security Agency.

Former Military Official: U.S. Presence in Iraq Fuels Terrorism

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Author Goes 'Inside the Resistance' in Iraq

Steve Inskeep talks to Zaki Chehab, the political editor for al-Hayat, one of the best-known Arabic-language newspapers. In 2003, Chehab met a group of insurgents in Iraq. His new book Inside the Resistance he describes what he's seen during numerous trips to that country.

Author Goes 'Inside the Resistance' in Iraq

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Former Defense Secretary: Lessons from Vietnam

President Bush vowed Wednesday that the number of U.S. troops in Iraq would not be reduced to satisfy what he called "artificial timetables." The last man to withdraw significant numbers of troops from an ongoing war was Melvin Laird, toward the end of the Vietnam War. Renee Montagne talks to Richard Nixon's former defense secretary.

Former Defense Secretary: Lessons from Vietnam

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'Strategy for Victory': Checking the Facts

President Bush's speech on Iraq Wednesday was accompanied by a document headlined "Strategy for Victory." Both administration contends that dramatic progress in Iraq has already been made. Peter Kenyon in Baghdad talks about some of the points in the document.

'Strategy for Victory': Checking the Facts

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What to Call the Enemy in Iraq?

As the war in Iraq continues, the administration continues its struggle to get a fix on the enemy -- and figure out what to call them. This week, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said that upon reflection, he found fault with the term "insurgents."

What to Call the Enemy in Iraq?

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Sectarian Divisions Complicate Iraqi Security Training

Steve Inskeep talks with New York Times reporter John Burns about the training of Iraqi security forces. Burns says reports of sectarian attacks by Iraqi security forces can be difficult to verify for a number of reasons.

Sectarian Divisions Complicate Iraqi Security Training

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Military Official: Training of Iraqis Is On Track

The Bush administration wants U.S. troops to remain until Iraqis can replace them. That strategy depends on the training of Iraqi soldiers and police. Renee Montagne talks to Army Lt. Gen. Martin Dempsey, who's in charge of equipping and training Iraqi security forces.

Military Official: Training of Iraqis Is On Track

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How Soon Could U.S. Troops Leave Iraq?

Steve Inskeep talks to correspondent Peter Kenyon in Baghdad about the prospect of American troops pulling out of Iraq. He says many Iraqis admit an immediate pullout could undermine security goals.

How Soon Could U.S. Troops Leave Iraq?

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Senator Recommends 'Fireside Chats' on Iraq

As lawmakers ask for more information from the Bush administration on progress in Iraq, Sen. John Warner (R-VA) suggests that President Bush should follow the lead of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and hold "fireside chats" with Americans.

Senator Recommends 'Fireside Chats' on Iraq

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