General: Iraqi forces don't have enough ammo

Sometimes, you have to stop and ponder whether the Pentagon actually wants an Iraqi military capable securing its own country. And, a lot of times, the answer seems to be "no."

BAQOUBA, Iraq - The U.S. commander of a new offensive north of Baghdad, reclaiming insurgent territory day by day, said Sunday his Iraqi partners may be too weak to hold onto the gains. The Iraqi military does not even have enough ammunition, said Brig. Gen. Mick Bednarek: "They're not quite up to the job yet."

You would think that if it's in our best interests--and it is--to slowly pull out of Iraq and be progressively relieved by an effective Iraqi military, that we would go out of our way to fund and arm that military the best we could. Apparently not. Of course, maybe Gen. Bednarek was trying to make a point and his subtle hyperbole went right over my head, but I don't think so.

I think he means exactly that--the Iraqi military doesn't enough ammunition to fight the insurgency.

Yes, that's exactly what he means.

Across Diyala province, where Baqouba is the capital, Iraqi troops are short on uniforms, weapons, ammunition, trucks and radios, he said.

Sad. But true.