Priceless?

The pricetag for the American policy of paying Iraqis to guard their own neighborhoods—from themselves—just keeps going up.

According to a recent news report, the Stryker units I kicked around with just northwest of
Baghdad back in January and February

employs more than 9,000 "Sons of Iraq," or armed militiamen, to help keep the peace, a commander said.

That translates to U.S. payments of at least $2.7 million a month.

Now for the $2.7 million a month question: With no political reconciliation on the horizon between the warring Iraqi factions, and increasing violence in the Shia areas, how long can we keep paying the tab to keep the Sunnis quiet?

Comments

[Brian H]

Gorsh, how much would a couple of smashed-to-smithereens Hummers or Strykers cost to replace? And, say, one or two soldiers from each?

Get real.