06 AUG 07 / "Good News on Iraq from Unlikely Source"

Brookings Institution scholars Michael O'Hanlon and Ken Pollack published an article in the New York Times last week entitled "Stability in Iraq: A War We Just Might Win." The piece made news by highlighting the progress that is being made in Iraq. Conservatives trumpeted the news on talk radio, while liberals unsurprisingly discounted O'Hanlon's and Pollack's conclusions by reminding Americans of all the problems that remain.

The article's point of view is reminiscent of the first three decades of the Cold War when most Democrats were strong advocates of national security and their foreign policy goals did not differ significantly from those of Republicans. O'Hanlon and Pollack understand that it's critical to win in Iraq, despite all of the mistakes that have been made. The article's premise -- that the war is not lost -- might even help to revitalize the debate on Iraq on the Left. It's refreshing to see a different perspective from the ranks of the Democrats to complement Senator Joe Lieberman's opposition to the defeatism that characterizes his party.

O'Hanlon and Pollack asserted there have been areas of improvement in Iraq, and that General David Petraeus's plan has a chance to succeed. They also reported that the president's critics are ignorant of the progress that is being made, troop morale is high, and the Iraqi military is assuming more responsibility.

The article mirrors the reporting of military bloggers on the ground in Iraq like Michael Yon, who has been in Iraq for more than 18 months and has provided a balanced assessment of the situation.

A lot yet depends upon the ability of the Iraqi government to function on behalf of the Iraqi people and provide for its own security. Significant problems still exist with the chaos created by foreign fighters, factional tribal and religious loyalties, and inadequate infrastructure. Petraeus will give a full report to Congress in September.

Democrats seize upon every piece of bad news in order to influence public opinion to force a withdrawal. Our outcome in Iraq is entirely contingent upon the political will of the American people. If there's good news, it's got to get out. The public relations battle that is waging here at home is just as important is the battle our troops are fighting in Iraq.

Beyond Iraq, the strategic lessons of the Cold War can be applied in the war on terror. Strength and resolve can have a deterrent affect even upon terrorists. That's why it is right to publicly declare that a nuclear attack upon the United States will be met with certain retaliation in kind. This strategy is our only hope of deterring such an attack, which would kill hundreds of thousands if not millions of Americans. The United States has a powerful right hand in its nuclear arsenal that it should never vow not to throw.