Yeah, but we knew they weren't ready... [quote]The Iraqi military isn’t ready for the withdrawal of U.S. troops and will have a hard time defending itself, the chief watchdog for Iraq reconstruction warns in an exclusive interview with Eli Lake. Iraq lacks formidable air and border defenses, suffers weaknesses in its military supply chain, and may face difficulties defending itself after U.S. troops exit at year’s end, the top American watchdog in the country warns. “As we pull out of Iraq, the Iraqis will have a difficult time replacing the U.S. role in intelligence, logistics, and air defense,” Stuart Bowen, the special inspector general for Iraq reconstruction, said in an interview. Bowen, whose job has been to raise red flags about the U.S. mission rebuilding Iraq over the past eight years, said U.S. trainers have made great strides in professionalizing the Iraqi army and national police since their mission began in 2003. But he also warned that the planned pullout will leave Iraq without a functioning air force and that it remains to be seen how the military will acquit itself if engaged while deployed in the field. “Whether they can sustain themselves if called upon for significant field operations is a big question mark,” Bowen said.[/quote] That question has been answered NO. - Der

That seems to be more about defense from other countries, not insurgents from within.