Iraq casualty numbers
US deaths in Iraq are at the lowest 3 month total ever (hat tip: Free Republic). The three month total for October, November and December 2007 is 93. It's also the first time a 3 month total has dropped below 3 digits. The table is given after the "Read More".
3 Month Total | ||
Mar-03 | 65 | N/A |
Apr-03 | 73 | N/A |
May | 37 | 175 |
June | 30 | 140 |
July | 47 | 114 |
August | 35 | 112 |
September | 30 | 112 |
October | 43 | 108 |
November | 82 | 155 |
December | 40 | 165 |
Jan-04 | 47 | 169 |
February | 19 | 106 |
March | 52 | 118 |
April | 135 | 206 |
May | 80 | 267 |
June | 42 | 257 |
July | 54 | 176 |
August | 66 | 162 |
September | 81 | 201 |
October | 63 | 210 |
November | 137 | 281 |
December | 72 | 272 |
Jan-05 | 107 | 316 |
February | 58 | 237 |
March | 36 | 201 |
April | 52 | 146 |
May | 79 | 167 |
June | 77 | 208 |
July | 54 | 210 |
August | 84 | 215 |
September | 48 | 186 |
October | 96 | 228 |
November | 83 | 227 |
December | 66 | 245 |
Jan-06 | 61 | 210 |
February | 53 | 180 |
March | 30 | 144 |
April | 74 | 157 |
May | 69 | 173 |
June | 59 | 202 |
July | 42 | 170 |
August | 65 | 166 |
September | 70 | 177 |
October | 100 | 235 |
November | 63 | 233 |
December | 105 | 268 |
Jan-07 | 82 | 250 |
February | 81 | 268 |
March | 75 | 238 |
April | 102 | 258 |
May | 121 | 298 |
June | 98 | 321 |
July | 75 | 294 |
August | 77 | 250 |
September | 62 | 214 |
October | 37 | 176 |
November | 35 | 134 |
December | 21 | 93 |
18 Comments:
I would add that the term "died in Iraq" has long since been stretched (for the Left's propoganda purposes) to include both combat and non-combat deaths anywhere in-theatre (to include the Persian Gulf). Actual deaths in December due to enemy action were 14.
Heh ... can you say 'grim milestone'?
Why is it that the fielded military can adopt Boyd’s concept of agility and maneuverability, but the political leadership remains absolutely blind to the fact that this battle may or may not be won on the streets of Baghdad and Fallujah and Ramadi, but it absolutely can be lost on the CBS Evening News? One would think the insurgents would need a multi-billion dollar, worldwide high-tech satellite network to spread their propaganda. But, being the generous people that we are, we have gallantly lent them ours...
Agility
I have to say, when their listed like that it brings a lump to my throat and my eyes burn.
Lest we forget.
Frank Warner has a post on this. He also points to a graphical representation of the numbers.
I worry that a wannabe Tet is coming. It wouldn't be militarily consequential, but it could kill the surge momentum. Another month with 100+ US deaths and 2000 or more dead Iraqis could be a real problem now that expectations are up. It won't matter if we don't quit, but it could influence the US election.
There really isn't much left for AQI to try.
Lest we forget.
There's no such thing as a "cheap" victory in human terms. Therefore what it buys should always be "worth it" in human terms also. And it's always a marginal calculation. The question is always whether the human cost from this point will be worth the human benefit from here onward.
If Iraq is truly won then the marginal cost going forward will be low. If it is truly won then we are in the payoff part of the curve. Throwing a victory in hand away as an act of political spite simply because a politician promised it to a leftist constituency means that you throw away the human price you've already paid right when the goal they have sacrificed for is in view.
Of course if victory is not in the offing then the argument fails, or must be qualified.
Returning troops strip on airport tarmac after uniform ban
More than 200 soldiers on their way home from Afghanistan had to strip off their uniforms on the tarmac at Birmingham International Airport and don civilian clothes before being allowed access to the terminal building.
The murder rate in Venezuela is DOUBLE that of Iraq. Read a little further and most of those deaths are for "resisting the authorities."
Venezuela
When I wrote my comment above saying "throwing a victory in hand away as an act of political spite simply because a politician promised it to a leftist constituency means that you throw away the human price you've already paid right when the goal they have sacrificed for is in view" I hadn't read Max Boot's post on John Edwards.
It is truly astonishing how little adjustment leading Democrats have made in their rhetoric or policy prescriptions in light of the changing circumstances in Iraq. In this interview with the New York Times’s ace military correspondent, Michael Gordon, John Edwards pledges to remove virtually all U.S. troops, including trainers, from Iraq within ten months of assuming the presidency—exactly the kind of step that could undo all the progress that has been made in 2007.
It's a perfect illustration of of walking away from the table when you're on a roll or giving up the business once it has started to turn a profit just to play a hunch.
For Edward's argument to hold he has to have a sound reason for expecting the returns of his start-from-scratch strategy to be greater than from continuing.
The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the - Web Reconnaissance for 01/03/2008 A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention, updated throughout the day...so check back often.
"For Edward's argument to hold he has to have a sound reason for expecting the returns of his start-from-scratch strategy to be greater than from continuing."
Edwards' logic on this is brutally simple --- saying this may get him elected, the consequences won't come home before he retires, and they won't bite *his* @ss anyway. It's win-win for him, even if a lot of other people suffer horribly because of it.
The "Iraq Index" from the "Brookings Institute" also supports the conclusion that the bad guys are losing in Iraq, refer to:
http://www.brookings.edu/saban/iraq-index.aspx
The Brookings Institute is liberal and probably created the "Iraq Index" as a tool to embarass President Bush.
It is still possible for the MSM to attempt snatching defeat from the Jaws of Victory via a "Tet Offensive". However most people are wise to that gambit. If all of our news were coming from Walter Cronkite then a Tet Offensive might be possible. However I suspect the Internet really prevents us from talking ourselves into defeat (the MSM and moonbats gave it a good try anyway).
In a few months our victory in Iraq will be sealed and we can focus on Pakistan (too bad our efforts in Iran were scuttled by the NIE).
Chuck said...
"For graphics illustrating both our losses and those of our enemies, please see:"
http://northshorejournal.org/index.php/losses-in-iraq
Very interesting. The kill ratio was about 5:1. The enemy's KIA was double humped. They peaked in January 2007 and then gave it a second try in July 2007 (their actual "Tet Offensive"). After July 2007, the fight was obviously out of them. I wonder what percentage of the enemy who actually carried arms were killed in action?
John Edwards preaches the hate of "Two Americas." Perhaps he imagines the other America is going to lose the war when he surrenders.
Obviously Edwards says these horrible, cowardly things to get elected. Worst of all, there is obviously a substantial audience of American voters who want us to lose this war. Edwards is the visible tip of that poisonous iceberg.
But don't question their patriotism, surrender is the highest form of patriotism, right?
Elijah,
If you are going to quote Bill Whittle, verbatum (like you did in your comment above: "Why is it that the fielded military can adopt Boyd’s concept of agility and maneuverability..."), then please cite him (http://www.ejectejecteject.com/)
"then please cite him"
giving a sample of the article trailing with three dots ... to the link...is sufficient
elijah,
Sorry, my mistake, I didn't notice the (very obvious) link.
Post a Comment
<< Home