NY Times report on Iraqi security forces failed to note ongoing problems

A December 19 New York Times article reported that, according to a Pentagon report about violence in Iraq, "Iraqi security forces are larger than ever, with 322,600 Iraqi soldiers, police officers and other troops, an increase of 45,000 since August," without noting that the very same paragraph in the report states that "[t]he number of present-for-duty soldiers and police is much lower, due to scheduled leave, absence without leave, and attrition."

From the report:

More than 45,000 additional Iraqi soldiers and police have completed initial training and equipping since August 2006, bringing the total number of ISF [Iraqi Security Forces] that have been trained and equipped to 322,600. By the end of December 2006, the United States and its Coalition partners will have met the force generation targets while continuing the efforts to improve the ISF's capability to meet emergent requirements. However, the trained-and-equipped number should not be confused with present-for-duty strength. The number of present-for-duty soldiers and police is much lower, due to scheduled leave, absence without leave, and attrition.

By contrast, several other news outlets' articles on the report noted both the increased troop strength and the Pentagon's qualifier that the number did not represent "present-for-duty strength." The Washington Post reported that Iraqi Security Forces "this month are projected to reach the goal of 325,000 trained and equipped," but added that "[t]he report noted problems with Iraqi forces, however, saying the number of soldiers and police actually 'present for duty' is far lower than the number trained and equipped." The Post also noted that "[s]ubtracting those Iraqi forces killed and wounded, and those who have quit the force, only 280,000 are 'available for duty' " and that "[a]bout 30 percent of that number are 'on leave' at a time," which leaves "fewer than 196,000 on the job." The Post attributed those statements to Marine Lt. Gen. John F. Sattler, identified in the paper as "director of strategic plans and policy for the Joint Chiefs of Staff."

The New York Times also quoted Sattler, whom the Times identified as "a senior aide to the Joint Chiefs of Staff."

Additionally, the Los Angeles Times reported that "[t]he report says the government has nearly reached its original goal of training 325,000 security personnel but that 45,000 police and army troops have been killed or wounded or have quit" and added that "[i]t also notes that a third of the active force is on approved leave at any time."

Similarly, the Associated Press wrote that, according to the Pentagon report, "the goal of training and equipping an Iraqi army of about 137,000 soldiers is 98 percent completed," and then immediately noted that "the actual number of troops available for duty on any given day is far fewer, due to absenteeism, casualties, desertions and leaves of absence."