Crocker: Surge Has Given Iraqis ‘Breathing Room’ For Politics

And you thought the surge hadn’t yielded tangible political gains. According to Amb. Crocker, the surge has “changed the dynamic” politically “for the better,” as it has given Iraqis the “time and space to reflect on the kind of country they want.” Significantly, Crocker is not conceding that reconciliation is failing, but attempting to change the terms of the debate.