TCJ is good to go with border control as one of the missions of the U.S. More outposts and border forts should be constructed along with the megabases inside of Iraq. My main point is that, for example, in Anbar where major combat operations are over, continuing constabulary operations would have the antibody affect that Kilcullen talks about. What we do has to be the right mission, and patrols can now be done by the IP. That was the goal of the OPS in 2007.

I’m not sold on a massive troop pullout until the borders are effectively secured to keep the outside agitators from disrupting stability within the country. Redeploying US forces to the borders would also reduce the force footprints in the cities that the Iraqis see every day along with reducing US casualties because border duty will be less dangerous then urban patrols.

The American public will support a large troop presence in Iraq if casualties are low and a transition to border security will do that along with still providing a vital function for Iraqi security.