28 June 2005

How America Lost Iraq

Aaron Glantz's How America Lost Iraq is a compelling read, and offers a detailed examination of the war from an unembedded reporter's perspective. Glantz starts his volume off by expressing his belief that Saddam Hussien was an evil tyrant in need of action for regime change, and feuded with his leftist editors who desired an anti-war, non mainstream media perspective of the American invasion. Initially, his interviews with Iraqis revealed support for Bush's overthrow of the Hussien government. Many Iraqis, but not all, were thankful for Saddam's ouster.

However, the goodwill earned quickly dissipated as the United States bumbled the occupation and transformed infuriated Iraqis into a majority who oppose the American occupation. The 2004 campaign in Fallujah was the big turning point that enacted a metamorphisis of the insurgency from fringe elements to a significant segment of the Sunni and Shia population. In the north, rival Kurd tribal factions enjoy their status, and in many respects have implemented same sorts of controls Hussien imposed on the nation at large. Huge money flows to contractors and foreign mercenaries, yet the social situation deteriorates for Iraqis, as they pull their children out of school, and unemployment rises to obscene levels.

A cycle of violence is lodged in perputuity, American forces are heavy handed in retribution that pushes innocent Iraqis into sympathy for the insurgency. Every civilian caught in the cross fire and deemed colatteral damage hardens the hearts of natives. Women and children are picked off by snipers, ambulances riddled with bullet holes, and in one shocking account, shieks shot in the head at a human rights office. Roundups and detention of Iraqis, with no probable cause, and no information given to the family on where suspects are taken and what the charges are, enrage many. Understandable that our forces must exercise caution in a dangerous locale, but from the perspective of the Iraqi native, the American occupation has wrought a great wrong.

Mr. Glantz has penned a recent article stating that immediate withdrawl may be the only way to avert a civil war. As in his book, he describes how the Bush administration hired a North Carolina company called Research Triangle International (RTI) to appoint new political leaders for the country.

A final note — regarding general Iraqi dislike of cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, but disapproval of American persecution of him — due to the history of his family, specifically that they were martyrs who suffered and died speaking out against Saddam Hussien.

posted by Naum at 14:04 | Books

Comments

Here's a nice little article by Kofi Annan, suggesting that all is far from LOST in IRAQ. I can say this, when the U.N. starts talking about the positive outcome of the IRAQ WAR and taking credit for the good things going on in IRAQ it is a sure sign that they know something the American Liberals should be getting a clue about... Things are heading in the right direction.

"There's Progress in Iraq

By Kofi Annan

Tuesday, June 21, 2005; Page A21"

"In a media-hungry age, visibility is often regarded as proof of success. But this does not necessarily hold true in Iraq. Even when, as with last week's agreement, the results of our efforts are easily seen by all, the efforts themselves must be undertaken quietly and away from the cameras."

"There are, of course, those who wish to exacerbate communal tensions and prevent the emergence of a democratic, pluralist, stable Iraq. They seek to capitalize on the serious difficulties faced by ordinary people, and to exploit popular anger and resentment to promote hatred and violence. Their work is seen on the streets of Iraq every day.

I do not believe that security measures alone can provide a sufficient response to this situation. For such measures to be successful, they must be part of a broad-based and inclusive strategy that embraces the political transition, development, human rights and institution-building, so that all of Iraq's communities see that they stand to be winners in the new Iraq. These efforts must be underpinned by steps to deal with Iraq's tortured past -- a past that still exacts revenge and will, if not addressed, blight future generations. This is difficult for any society in transition, let alone one as dangerous as some areas of Iraq are today."

"The Iraqi people continue to endure a painful and difficult transition, and they still have a long and tough road ahead. The United Nations is privileged and determined to walk it with them. In doing so, we serve not only the people of Iraq, but the peoples of all nations.

The writer is secretary general of the United Nations."

http://www.washingtonpost.c...

To try and say IRAQ is lost at this point is as FOOLISH as saying it was won the day the Statues came down in Baghdad....this whole story is still in the making and the decisions of Americans and Iraqis in the coming months have more to determine the fate of this NEW IRAQ than any pessimistic viewpoints that ALL IS LOST and we need to get out while we can. All I can say, in the immortal words of Lone Watie in The Outlaw Josey Wales, is we should "endeavor to preserver."

I'm not back just stopped by for a visit and to offer something positive for you all to read. I will not respond to any posts but feel free to comment all the same.

WHERE THERE IS HOPE THEIR IS FAITH
WHERE THERE IS FAITH ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.
"More Evidence that we are Winning in Iraq
When Kofi Annan tries to claim credit for success in Iraq, it's a pretty good sign of two things: success is unmistakeable, and the UN had nothing to do with it. Interestingly, Annan is starting to sound like the military and the more hawkish bloggers who follow war events closely: "In a media-hungry age, visibility is often regarded as proof of success. But this does not necessarily hold true in Iraq. Even when, as with last week's agreement [bringing Sunnis into the process of writing the new Iraqi constitution], the results of our efforts are easily seen by all, the efforts themselves must be undertaken quietly and away from the cameras."

Of course, for the military, it's often the opposite: actions are taken in full view of the cameras, but the results are off-camera and largely not understood by a public and punditry that does not, by and large, understand the military or the nature of guerilla warfare.
Posted by jeff at June 21, 2005 12:16 PM "

http://www.caerdroia.org/bl...

It's Just GLOOM and DOOM from certain parties who were and are and will be against This President and this PUSH for Americas Defense and Freedom in the Middle East. Here are a few more GOOD NEWS links you wont get from those who dwell in darkness and more of the TRUTH about IRAQ.

http://unix.dfn.org/good_ne...

When Iraqis and foreign companies alike want to do business in Iraq they start in http://www.baghdadbusinessc...

http://www.indict.org.uk/ab...

http://www.iraq-today.com/ from IRAQ the inside story Iraq Today is a weekly newspaper printed in Iraq, created to give ordinary Iraqis, rather than vested political interests, an influential voice in the governance of their country.

http://kbciraq.org/ An interactive information resource for businesses interested in investing in Kirkuk. Please use this site to find out more information about the Kirkuk business opportunities and how the KBC can help your business.

http://www.dfn.org/
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