Inflation Drops 90% In Iraq (and other good news)

Bottom Line Up Front : In the past year, Iraqis have made incredible strides.

The quarterly Measuring Stability and Security Report in Iraq from the Defense Department for November 2007 has been released and the indicators are incredible. This is still a war and there are still problems, but the Iraqi resolve coupled with the brilliant counterinsurgency strategy of GEN Petraeus, Iraq has improved by leaps and bounds since last year. Here are some of the highlights:

• Year-to-date inflation as of October 2007 is 4.2%, compared to year-to-date inflation through October 2006 of 42.7%
• The continued appreciation of the Iraqi dinar went from 1,475 dinars per U.S. dollar in late 2006 to 1,218 dinars per U.S. dollar currently.
• Electrical output/production is up 14% from this time last year.

• The postwar electricity production record for one day (123,000 MWh) was broken on October 12, 2007 with the production of 125,000 MWh.

• Violence and casualties are down

• Security is up

• Sectarian deaths have plummeted

• Coalition/Iraqi Forces and Civilian deaths have plummeted

• Specifically, improvised explosive device (IED) attacks in Anbar Province have dropped 91% from January 2007 to November 2007, while attacks in the ten Baghdad security districts declined 67% for the same period.

• Between February 1 and November 16, 2007, over 3,600 AQI members were killed or captured. This number includes the loss of 233 key AQI leaders—54 Emirs or upper tier leaders, 38 foreign terrorist and logistical network facilitators, 24 couriers and logistical leaders and 35 military Emirs and vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) cell leaders. These losses have helped to significantly degrade AQI’s leadership cadre and the effectiveness of insurgent operations.
• In NOV 2006 there were 6 Iraqi Division Headquarters, 30 Brigade Headquarters and 91 Battalions.

• In NOV 2007 there are 10 Division Headquarters, 34 Brigade Headquarters and 108 Battalions.

This DOD quarterly report, Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq is noteably different than past reports. It's clear across the board that the situation is vastly improving.  Read it for yourself.

Trackback URL: 
http://amyproctor.squarespace.com/blog/trackback/1437956

Comments

[CalPatriot]

Fantastic post Amy.

[Mark Krauss]

But...but....Harry Reid said......

[Amy Proctor]

This is the first report that has truly shown Iraq has turned a corner. No one can predict the future or what the enemy might be up to, but you have to be happy for Iraqis that their situations are improving.

[CalPatriot]

Merry Christmas to you Amy and to your family; I will not be posting until the New Year. Have a great holiday.

[Amy Proctor]

Where are all the liberals? So quiet.....