It's also natural in that part of the world to blame what people view as the... as the most important authority in the region, and that currently is the United States of America.

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• John Abizaid:

  But the key shift in focus will be from counter-insurgency operations to more and more cooperation

• John Abizaid:

  But clearly the fact that we've gone from zero Iraqi security forces on duty in May to up to 200,00

• John Abizaid:

  We've got to ensure that the quality and the capability of these forces will be good enough to with

• John Abizaid:

  Certainly our goal is to leave Iraq, but we can't leave Iraq with our forces until we know that the

• John Abizaid:

  I think you also understand that one of the key things that's got to be done in Iraq is to build a

• John Abizaid:

  Oh, the transition concerns me because as we move towards an important political event, it's clear

• John Abizaid:

  So, these political activities will create friction in and of themselves, and in this environment o

• John Abizaid:

  Our forces will not be on the sidelines.

• John Abizaid:

  We'll try to include Iraqi officers in our staffs. We will do everything we can to empower Iraqi se

• John Abizaid:

  Well, the reports are correct that we're conducting very robust military operations on the Afghan s