Have We Lost the War?

Have We Lost the War?

What an absurd question!

No, the U.S. hasn’t lost the war. In fact, we won it four years ago. We defeated Saddam Hussein’s Republican Guards with relative ease, and overthrew one of the Middle East’s most legendary tyrants. End of story.

The problem is, we’re asking the wrong question. More specifically, we Americans are approaching the continuing troubles in Iraq from the wrong direction. We (meaning the citizens of the United States of America) have not, and never will, lose the war in Iraq. Why? It is not our war because it is not our country! Iraq isn’t ours to lose today, any more than China was ours to lose in 1949.

It would be better (and much more ethical) to start asking ourselves whether or not the Iraqis have lost the war. And if “losing” is based largely on quality of life issues, then it seems reasonable to conclude that the Iraqis have, in fact, lost the war. By most any measure – overall security, access to basic necessities, employment, education, law and order, etc. – the hostilities in Iraq have had the unfortunate effect of impoverishing most Iraqis!

Unfortunately, the Bush Administration obstinately continues to insist on American “victory” in Iraq. But that goal itself raises another vital question: How does the administration define “victory?” Has any clear and measurable goal or benchmark been articulated recently? I read the papers and watch the news, and I’m still as confused as ever.

The best answer I’ve been able to glean from the contradictory and vague pronouncements of Bush Administration officials is that victory in Iraq is somehow linked with victory in the overall war on terror. If so, we’re going to be in for the long haul, as the so-called “war on terror” (by the administration’s own admission) is both amorphous and indefinite. For those same reasons, I’d argue that the “war on terror” is ultimately unwinnable, at least in the traditional sense of the term. You cannot defeat an enemy that resists definition, nor fight a war whose goals are ever in flux.

As for Iraq, I’ll admit to conflicted feelings. I’m not sure what would be best for us to do, now that the U.S. has so botched the postwar occupation of that nation. However, I do know that we Americans ought to at least start asking questions whose answers will have meaning for the Iraqis themselves, and not just ourselves!

Peace!
Historian

Dangerous Indiana

Dangerous Indiana

As a public service, I’d like to warn my readers to stay the heck away from Indiana this summer. The life you save may be your own!

As you might recall, a delegation of U.S. politicians, featuring Arizona Senator and Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain, recently visited Baghdad’s oldest and largest outdoor market of Shorja.

Senator McCain was accompanied during his leisurely stroll through the market by more than 100 heavily armed American troops, with armored vehicles behind them and Apache attack helicopters roaring overhead. The American VIPs themselves wore heavy armored vests the whole time.

Oh, yeah. McCain was also accompanied by some yahoo Congressman from Indiana named Mike Pence. Pence, who was characterized by The Indianapolis Star as “one of the most outspoken backers of continued U.S. involvement in Iraq” (www.indystar.com), had the audacity to claim the Shorja Market reminded him of “a normal outdoor market in Indiana in the summertime.”

Initially, Pence’s remark left me speechless! Shorja has been a repeat target of the Iraqi insurgency, having been bombed at least six times in the previous few months according to the New York Times. The day following the Americans’ special “made for TV propaganda” visit, twenty-one Shia employees of the market were kidnapped and murdered in apparent reprisal. After the Americans had left, witnesses interviewed in the market reported their unease, and complained that they’d tried to convey to their VIP guests just how unsafe they felt and impress on them the need for real, sustained security in Baghdad.

My second response was one of anger. Did Pence really fail to recognize the transcendent irresponsibility of his comment? Did Pence not realize that such American bravado in the face of daily insurgent violence would likely provoke a follow-up insurgent attack on the market or its workers (as did happen)? Is Pence really so ignorant of the violence that devastates Baghdad?

Sorry, I can’t accept that. For my own sanity, I have to believe that Iowa’s own Steve King is an anomaly. There simply can’t be TWO equally irresponsible ignoramuses representing the Midwest in Congress.

I’m forced to conclude that Congressman Pence meant what he said. The analogy must hold true. Indiana and Baghdad must be very similar, because the representative from Indiana would know the truth, wouldn’t he?

Ergo, Indiana must be a very, very violent place. Washington, send in the troops now! Better yet, let’s all stay away from Indiana this summer. No tourism, no travel, no stopovers, nothing. It’s simply too dangerous. Pence knows.

For your own safety and that of your loved ones, I repeat: AVOID INDIANA THIS SUMMER!

Peace!
Historian