tokens: Abizaid raps U.S. 's extremism fight Retired general says buildup has not succeeded in solving Iraq 's problems The Associated Press ADELPHI , Md. - It will take three to five years before Iraqbs government is stable enough to operate on its own , according to the former commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East , who said the surge of American forces has not succeeded in solving the countrybs broader problems .