Surge Did Not Heal Iraq's Divisions

The Bush administration sold a "surge" in the troop presence in Iraq on the premise that it would allow the Iraqi government to bridge divisions among its warring factions. But at a February 6, 2008, hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee, both committee Chairman Carl Levin and ranking Republican John Warner concluded that the U.S.-backed government in Iraq has failed to do so, with Warner only mildly less critical than Levin.

As Levin put it, "It is long past time that the Iraqi leaders hear a clear simple message: We can't save them from themselves. It's in their hands, not ours, to create a nation by making the political compromises needed to end the conflict."

The United States needs leadership with the moral authority and a real willingness to work with other countries to help Iraq overcome its internal divisions and bring about a more stable, peaceful Middle East.