The BBC's defence correspondent, Rob Watson, says the war in Iraq has dramatically exposed both the strengths and weaknesses of America's armed forces.
The initial invasion of Iraq demonstrated the extraordinary firepower, speed and technological sophistication of the US military. In just three weeks it toppled the Iraqi government at the cost of less than 150 US casualties.
But the US military has been markedly less successful since then in fighting insurgents and "nation-building".
Well Rob, there are many more thousands of dead and captured insurgents who would disagree with that.
As for being less successful in nation building, the 8 million Iraqis who voted in the last election and the over 65% of Iraqis who voted for their first constitution would certainly disagree with you on that score.
So, how is this affecting military recruitment?
Throughout it all though the US armed forces have continued to enjoy a good reputation at home, where public opinion has also remained remarkably and strikingly tolerant of American casualties.
That said the deaths in Iraq are taking their toll on recruitment with all branches of the US military struggling to attract new men and women.
The BBC seems surprised that despite theirs and the rest of the worlds media to portray Iraq as an illegal and immoral war, Ameircans just aren't buying it.
Notice also that the BBC limit the impact of the war on recruitment to "new" recruits? Part of that can be attributed to the anti-war movements assualts (actual physical assualts) on recruiting stations, recruiters and ROTC members on college campuses. Combine that with the Left and the media's distortion and outright lies about what's going on in Iraq and it's no wonder recruitment is down slightly. If in fact it is down. I dont' have the time to look the figures up just now.
What the BBC doesn't tell you is that re-enlistment is way up, especially amongst those who have seen combat in Iraq.
Every one of the Army's 10 divisions — its key combat organizations — has exceeded its re-enlistment goal for the year to date. Those with the most intense experience in Iraq have the best rates. The 1st Cavalry Division is at 136 percent of its target, the 3rd Infantry Division at 117 percent.
Among separate combat brigades, the figures are even more startling, with the 2nd Brigade of the 2nd Infantry Division at 178 percent of its goal and the 3rd Brigade of the 4th Mech right behind at 174 percent of its re-enlistment target.
With the ink still wet on Iraq's new constitution the BBC can't help but throw up Vietnam.
As the war has continued, comparisons have been made to Vietnam, though that was a conscript war which saw nearly 60,000 US casualties.
Comparisons made by whom? The BBC of course.
The BBC spread another Vietnam myth with their "conscript war" statment.
Myth: Most Vietnam veterans were drafted.
2/3 of the men who served in Vietnam were volunteers. 2/3 of the men who served in World War II were drafted. (Westmoreland papers) Approximately 70% of those killed were volunteers. (McCaffrey Papers)
See here for more.
And what's the overall affect on America?
But, like Vietnam, the conflict in Iraq is sure to have a profound and long-lasting effect on US attitudes to war and how and when it should be waged,...
Says who?
"...our defence correspondent says"
Care to explain why Bush was re-elected, Republicans gained in both houses of Congress and won more Governorships in the last elections, Rob?
The BBC go on and lend a mouthpiece to the anti-war crowd.
Iraq is a huge success by any measure and the BBC are too blinded by their anti-American bias to admit it.
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