Hello Everyone:

Michael Ware of CNN in my opinion is the most objective, credible, insightful, and realistic journalist in the business when it comes to reporting about Iraq and foreign policy so I take what he says very seriously!

Michael Ware has been doing a lot of reporting about Iraq over the past few days on CNN but it has been in bits and pieces throughout the day so you pretty much have to look up his interviews on the CNN transcripts page for each day if you want to read them all. Here is the link where you can look them up:

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/

TRANSCRIPTS

Unfortunately CNN does not make many videos of Michael Ware's interviews and reports which I think is a shame and a terrible waste. The few videos that CNN does make of him can be found on this link:

http://search.cnn.com/search?type=video&sortBy=date&intl=false&query=Michael+Ware&x=11&y=10

Video results for "Michael Ware"

YouTube also has some of Michael Ware's interviews. Here is how to look them up in chronological order:

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=videos&search_query=michael+ware+cnn&search_sort=video_date_uploaded

michael ware cnn

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=videos&search_query=michael+ware+iraq&search_sort=video_date_uploaded

michael ware iraq

Michael Ware made some very blunt conclusions about what is really happening in Iraq now and why it is happening. This kind of quality reporting is very hard to find on other networks which is why I go out of my way to catch it and post it. This will probably not be good news to many people but Michael Ware in my opinion has always been right on target and he always exercises sound judgment in his reports!

Here are the 3 main conclusions that I saw Michael Ware come to about what is really happening in Iraq right now:

1) Michael Ware does NOT think that the Iraqi security forces can handle the load without our troops. He thinks that they can only handle the load as long as our troops are there to support them:

A) Here is what Michael Ware very bluntly said before Gen. Ray Odierno told John King in a CNN interview that the Iraqi security forces are ready to take on this added mission:

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0906/28/sm.02.html

CNN SUNDAY MORNING

British Embassy Employees Arrested in Iran; 70-Year-Old Deployed to Iraq; Investigation Into Michael Jackson's Death Continues

Aired June 28, 2009 - 08:00 ET

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: "Well, it is a critical week for U.S. troops in Iraq. Combat forces are due to move out of main Iraqi cities just in the next few days.

CNN international correspondent Michael Ware joins us now live from Baghdad with details on how that process is going.

And, Michael, I've got to ask you -- once these troops move out, can the Iraqi security forces handle the load?

MICHAEL WARE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: No.

NGUYEN: Plain and simple.

(LAUGHTER)

WARE: I mean, I can expand upon that if you like. No, I can't. Look, there's hundreds of thousands of Iraqi security forces, from patrolmen, cops on the street, to the national police -- which is a fine and upstanding unit that seems to be arresting, you know, American -- those who have helped American forces until now. You have the Iraqi security forces.

But let's not ignore the fact that I -- they're simply not ready yet. I mean, America had to stand this army up, these police forces up, from scratch shortly after the invasion. I mean, in terms of building an army, you know, that was five minutes ago.

Then we get to the question of equipment and ability, that's why 130,000 U.S. troops are going to be sticking around for the next little while, because they still need air support, they still need artillery, and they will still need the cavalry to come and help them if they so require, and if the Iraqi government -- who will soon be in charge of this war -- invites the Americans to do so...

WARE: So no, these guys aren't ready. That's why your troops are staying here for the time being..."

B) The next hour after this interview on CNN, here is exactly what Gen. Ray Odierno told John King:

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0906/28/sotu.01.html

STATE OF THE UNION WITH JOHN KING

Interview With General Odierno; Interview With Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty

Aired June 28, 2009 - 09:00 ET

JOHN KING, HOST: "And I've used this test with you in the past, so let me ask it this way. On a scale of one to 10, how ready, in your view, are the Iraqi security forces to take on this added mission?

ODIERNO: Yes, I would just say they're at a very -- they have improved significantly over the last 2 1/2 years. We've seen incredible increase in their capacity and capability. They have proven it in combat operations. They have proven their flexibility and adaptable. So I am much more confident than I've ever been in the Iraqi security forces.

KING: I want to close, sir, in our last minute, on a lighter note..."

C) Even after Gen. Odierno said this, Michael Ware still stood behind his "No" answer to that question:

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0906/29/cnr.04.html

CNN NEWSROOM

Madoff Sentenced to 150 Years; Billy Mays Autopsy Results; Firefighters Win High Court Appeal; U.S. Troops Leave Iraqi Cities; Madoff's Path to Prison; Coup in Honduras; Surviving A Bomb Blast

Aired June 29, 2009 - 11:58 ET

T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: "We want to turn now from Iran to Iraq. Very close by. Our Michael Ware is standing by, joining us live from Baghdad.

Michael, hello to you again.

Tomorrow is the day. It's deadline day for U.S. troops to be pulling out of those cities. The question is, are the Iraqi forces ready to step up?

MICHAEL WARE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, a couple of things. First, T.J., it's actually less than a day. We're at about four and a half hours away...

Now, to the point you turned to, security. There was another car bombing today. Nine police officers killed in the northern city of Mosul, two more wounded, bringing the death total of the last eight or nine days to something like 220.

The answer to your question specifically, are the Iraqi security forces ready? It's a very simple answer, T.J. No. No, they are not. And that's why you're still going to have 130,000 American troops here, albeit largely restricted to their bases outside of the city, limited to operations in the desert and in the Green Zone around Baghdad. And they need to undue right (ph) the Iraqi security forces and provide the heavy fire power that the Iraqis lack. Nonetheless, the Iraqis are insistent as of midnight tonight, just a few hours away, this is their war..."

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0906/30/ldt.01.html

LOU DOBBS TONIGHT

Battle over Jackson's Money; Jackson Investigation; Jackson Funeral Plans; Franken Wins Senate Seat; U.S. Troops Pull Back

Aired June 30, 2009 - 19:00 ET

KITTY PILGRIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: "Well joining us now from Baghdad, CNN -- is Michael Ware, who has been covering the war in Iraq for seven years. Michael, the U.S. forces will now be outside the cities. Are the Iraqi forces ready to do the job?

MICHAEL WARE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kitty, the answer is no. The more complicated answer of course is yes. In a vacuum, the Iraqi security forces would not be able to take on the fight that they're facing alone. That's why 130,000 U.S. combat troops will remain in Iraq, albeit in their bases outside of the major cities and the towns.

As General Ray Odierno, the U.S. commander here on the ground, puts it they're here to provide support. America is in the back seat now because the Iraq -- this is now the Iraqi war as you know. But the Americans are here to provide what the general calls enablers, trainers, advisers, air support, heavy firepower, so America is still underwriting this civility even though it's no longer in charge -- Kitty..."

My own opinion is that I definitely believe Michael Ware over Gen. Ray Odierno. That is because I am sure Gen. Odierno gets his talking points from his superiors and I know that he cannot publicly contradict what his superiors tell him to say while Michael Ware has a consistent record of being right for years!

D) Michael Ware also cut through Gen. Odierno's talking points when he qualified his statement by saying "General Ray Odierno is correct. But that's only because 130,000 American combat troops are still here on the ground," "Iraqi security forces as they exist could not hold this stability together as we've come to know it. What's important here is that the general's right to the degree that, yes, they can do it with 130,000 U.S. combat troops still here in this country," and "It's the U.S. forces who are still underwriting the relative security we have now here in Iraq:"

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0906/30/cnr.05.html

CNN NEWSROOM

U.S. Troops Pull out of Iraqi Cities, Violence Ensues; Did Michael Jackson Leave a Will?; Gay Soldier Speaks Out about Military Policy; States May Need to Cut Services; British Royal Family Asks for More Money

Aired June 30, 2009 - 13:00 ET

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: "Michael, let's go ahead and go to you first. What do you think? Do U.S. troops there really think that Iraq's police and military are ready for this?

MICHAEL WARE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra -- excuse me. Kyra, that's a yes and a no answer. In a vacuum, the Iraqi security forces simply are not yet up to this fight. There's hundreds and thousands of them in the Iraqi Army, the police, the national police. But their loyalties can be a question. Their equipment also may not be up to what they need.

And their procedures, despite endless hours of American training, they insist on doing it the way they prefer. And that's the way they knew under Saddam.

So, yes, can they hold the line right now? They can. General Ray Odierno is correct. But that's only because 130,000 American combat troops are still here on the ground..."

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0906/29/sitroom.02.html

THE SITUATION ROOM

Jackson's Mom Gets Kids; Michael Jackson's eBay Frenzy; Iran Officials: Election File "Closed"; Hondurans Protest Military Coups

Aired June 29, 2009 - 17:00 ET

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN ANCHOR: "It's now past midnight in Iraq and the much anticipated deadline for U.S. forces to withdraw from Iraqi town and cities has arrived. The U.S. commander in charge in Iraq tells CNN's John King that he believes the country's military is up to the new challenge.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEN. RAY ODIERNO, CMDR. MULTI NATIONAL FORCE IRAQ: I do believe they're ready, John. They've been working towards this for a long time. And security remains good. We've seen constant improvement in the security forces. We've seen constant improvement in governance, and I believe this is the time for us to move out of the cities and for them to take ultimate responsibility.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Let's bring in our CNN's Michael Ware, who is in Baghdad on the ground. Michael, is the general right about this? What do you think? Are they ready?

MICHAEL WARE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, there's a yes and there's a no answer to this. In a vacuum, in the ultimate truth, no. No. Iraqi security forces as they exist could not hold this stability together as we've come to know it. What's important here is that the general's right to the degree that, yes, they can do it with 130,000 U.S. combat troops still here in this country, albeit retreating to their pre-approved bases. It's the U.S. forces who are still underwriting the relative security we have now here in Iraq. And it's the U.S. forces that provide what the general calls enablers. Now, that's going to be the helicopters, the heavy artillery, and the other things that will allow the Iraqi security forces to move forward..."

It is very obvious to me that Gen. Odierno's superiors would never let him publicly say what Michael Ware said to qualify his talking points which is why I definitely believe Michael Ware over Gen. Odierno!

2) Michael Ware made it very clear that "the men and women of the Armed Forces aren't coming home anytime really soon" because our troops are "underwriting the stability" in Iraq and are Iraq's "insurance policy." He also bluntly said "this doesn't mean any of the - the GIs are coming home any time soon" and he gave this answer "Betty, the answer's very simple: none" to the following question "So how many troops does this mean will actually be coming home because of the pullout?"

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0906/30/ltm.02.html

AMERICAN MORNING

New Details on Michael Jackson Investigation, Meds Found in Singer's Home; Iraq Regains Control of Cities as U.S. Troops Pull Out; Reverse Discrimination Ruling Reversed; Toddler Survives Yemeni Plane Crash; Do Doctors Put Money Over Ethics?

Aired June 30, 2009 - 07:00 ET

KIRAN CHETRY, CNN ANCHOR: "Our Michael Ware is tracking things live in Baghdad this morning. And the other thing, you know, to say that, you know, there's been this mass pullout, I mean, we still have more than 100,000 troops in Iraq.

MICHAEL WARE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Oh, yes, let's not delude ourselves. We're not seeing a mass exodus of American troops. I mean, unfortunately, the men and women of the Armed Forces aren't coming home anytime really soon..."

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0906/30/cnr.02.html

CNN NEWSROOM

U.S. Troops Have Completed Withdraw Out of Iraqi Cities; Iranian Government Declares Election Valid; Exiled Honduran President Calls on Military to End Clashes with His Supporters

Aired June 30, 2009 - 10:00 ET

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: "Michael. Let me ask you something very quickly. With this handover, are Iraqi security forces prepared for what's to come?

MICHAEL WARE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, they're as prepared as they're going to be. I mean, they certainly aren't the security forces they were several years ago. They're still comprised of large chunks of the militias. Lots of work done to try to reconcile all the sides under one uniform, one banner. But at the end of the day, if things go badly, you will see the men within the uniforms choosing sides.

Also, they simply don't have the combat power to entirely fight the fight they may face. That's why the Americans are staying here. 130,000 troops, American soldiers, Marines, Air Force, Navy are still here. And they are going to be for some time; under President Obama's plan till August, under the agreement the Bush administration signed, they're allowed to stay for another 18 months.

They're underwriting the stability. They're the insurance policy, but, they take it a back seat role. They're in a supporting role now. They can only operate in the urban environments at the behest of the Iraqi government. So, even if they know where there is a bad guy and they want to go out and get something or stop something, they have to ask permission or wait until they're invited, Betty..."

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0906/28/sm.01.html

CNN SUNDAY MORNING

Doctor Tells Police About Jackson's Final Moments; British Embassy Employees Arrested in Iran; Iraq Prepares To Lead Own Security Efforts

Aired June 28, 2009 - 06:00 ET

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: "CNN's Michael Ware joins us now live from Baghdad.

So how many troops does this mean will actually be coming home because of the pullout?

MICHAEL WARE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Betty, the answer's very simple: none. You're still going to have 130,000 U.S. troops based here in the country, though their hands military will very much be tied by the Iraqi government.

They've got to pull out of all of the Iraqi cities and towns; they retreat to pre-approved bases. And they can no longer conduct operations on their own in the cities without the express invitation or permission of the Iraqis.

We're still going to see a few troops, advisers embedded with Iraqi units. There are still going to be some joint operations and partner patrols. But unfortunately, this doesn't mean any of the - the GIs are coming home any time soon..."

3) Michael Ware made it very clear that we can probably expect to see more violence in Iraq:

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0906/27/sitroom.01.html

THE SITUATION ROOM

Remembering Pop Legend Michael Jackson; Syrian Ambassador Talks About U.S/Iranian Relations

Aired June 27, 2009 - 18:00 ET

WOLF BLITZER, HOST: "Why has there been, at least it seems like there's been an upsurge in violence, deadly violence over the past week or two?

MICHAEL WARE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it all comes within, you know, the breadth of a longer running campaign. I mean, let's not think that just because a rocket slipped off the public radar, that people weren't dying here all this year. There were.

There's a broader bombing campaign trying to reignite the bloodbath of the sectarian civil war. But in the past week from bombings, mortar attacks, shootings, roadside explosions, at least 210 Iraqi civilians have been slaughtered. And many of them, I regret to report, are women and children because a lot of these blasts, a lot of these attacks are in market places.

This is ratcheting up the pressure. Not so much on the Americans. There's no questions about the Americans coming back in the streets, not unless the Iraqi government, which has been hardlined as a 180 and invites them. America is out of the decision-making process. The American-led war will be over as of Tuesday.

The real point I think here is to put pressure on the Iraqi government. The prime minister here staked his claim. He has said that I will stop the violence. He had success in Basra, some limited success in Sadr City last year. However, if this continues, it's he who will suffer at the ballot box next January, according to most diplomats and analysts here on the ground. Wolf?

BLITZER: Michael Ware, be careful over in Baghdad. We'll check in with you throughout the week. Michael Ware is reporting for us..."

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0906/28/cnr.01.html

CNN NEWSROOM

Iranian Protestors Snatched From Hospital Beds and Arrested; Obama Expresses Concern After Coup in Honduras, Billy Mays Found Dead in His Tampa Home This Morning

Aired June 28, 2009 - 14:00 ET

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: "Tuesday's the deadline for most American troops to withdraw from Iraqi cities. The move pushed by the Iraqi government comes at a time of stepped up violence in Baghdad and other cities. CNN's Michael Ware is in Baghdad.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MICHAEL WARE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: After so much of this, American troops in blazing combat, the American-led war in Iraq is coming to an end. Despite successful elections and the people's return to a vaguely normal life, this is how the U.S. withdrawal is beginning to look.

A bombing in a Baghdad market where 72 people out shopping were killed, or here, this mosque in the north, where a suicide truck bomber killed 80, or in this Baghdad market for used motorbikes, with 15 more slain.

In less than a week, more than 200 Iraqis have been butchered across the country, prompting the government to warn people to stay away from crowded locations.

For one thing is almost certain, these attacks will continue as Al Qaeda and its allies attempt to bomb Iraq back into sectarian civil war, a war it will be up to Iraq's prime minister to prevent, for this no longer will be America's war.

By June 30, all U.S. forces will have retreated to their bases outside of Iraq's cities and towns. After six long, brutal years, they're now reduced to a supporting role at the behest of the Iraqis.

Though 130,000 troops will remain, they'll be unable to launch operations of their own within the cities, nor even detain suspected enemy combatants without the permission of invitation of the government of Iraq..."

All of this violence going on and our troops not being able to do anything about it without the permission of the Iraqi government puts us in an extremely vulnerable and awkward position in my opinion!

Michael Ware has definitely proven to my satisfaction that the Iraqi security forces are NOT ready to handle the load without our help, that our troops will probably be in Iraq for a long time, and that our troops will be in a very dangerous and violent environment where they are basically fighting with one hand tied behind their back. That is because "they'll be unable to launch operations of their own within the cities, nor even detain suspected enemy combatants without the permission of invitation of the government of Iraq."

In my opinion, Iraq is going to be very risky and difficult. We are not in control of this situation because we need "the permission of invitation of the government of Iraq" to do anything. Along with the economy and other foreign policy issues, this is something that Obama and the Democratic majority will be judged on in the 2010 and 2012 elections. While I definitely think that Iraq is Bush's fault, Obama will probably own whatever happens in Iraq in the eyes of most of middle America during the 2010 and 2012 elections!

While what I mentioned in this post is obviously not good news, it is realistic and in my opinion a post like this is needed to cut through all of the talking points about Iraq that will be coming from many politicians and generals on the ground over the next few months and years. I am glad that there are still credible and honest reporters left like Michael Ware who will bluntly tell the truth even when it is not pleasant!

Mitch Dworkin

http://mitchdworkin.com/
Check out my new website!

http://www.securingamerica.com/

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/16039
RESOURCES: Speeches, Articles, and Career Highlights to help define Gen. Clark!
Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on July 7, 2008 - 2:51pm.

http://www.securingamerica.com/ccn/node/7191
Listen to Gen. Wes Clark fight for Dems on Sean Hannity's radio program: An excellent example for all of us to follow and what we all need to be doing to help fight back against extreme right wing Neocon smear propaganda!