An Iraqi Perspective on the Petraeus Hearings
April 11th, 2008 at 08:54am Mark Noonan
From The Mesopotamian:
I was watching the Interrogation of General David Petraeus and the ambassador. What struck me most was the attitude and words from some of the Democratic senators. It seemed as though the enemy for these ladies and gentlemen was not Al-Qaeda, the terrorists or people like that. All the venom and harsh words were directed against the Iraqi government and poor Al-Maliki, these seemed to be the more hated foes for them. Not long ago we used to hear complaints that the Iraqi government was Shiite dominated and unwilling to take action against Shiite Militias and such groups as the Mahdi Army. Well when Al-Maliki at last moved decisively against such groups, it seems that the move did not please much these critics. Although in Iraq itself almost all the political blocks excluding the so called Sadrist Current, expressed their total support for the move against the outlaws, and indeed a marked improvement of the political atmosphere between the factions has clearly taken place. Indeed the position of these Democrats strangely sounded almost similar to that of the usual chorus of America-haters who habitually bark out their prejudices and deliberate falsifications in various quarters in the Middle East in such media outlets as Al-Jazeera and the like.
One cannot but side with the actions of the Iraqi Government, although quite frankly, I think personally, that the genuine Sadrists should not be completely routed out. This would upset the “ecological balance” so to speak. I mean we must not forget that there are other beasts in the jungle that would probably create more dangerous threats if their natural enemies were totally annihilated. Nevertheless, the situation in Basrah was unbearable, and nobody can deny that. The city was overrun by a motley collection of all sorts of criminal gangs. Oil smuggling on an alarming scale, kidnappings, killings of prominent people – doctors, university lectures, lawyers etc., not to mention the horrific murders and mutilations of women sometimes with their children; all these horrors had become the sad reality of daily life in the unfortunate city. The government was bitterly blamed for not doing much to rescue this vital and only port city in Iraq. Indeed the action by Al-Maliki was long overdue and urgently needed. And in fact the Iraqi security forces did well and acted firmly and managed to restore some control in the city, although the problems have not been completely solved. In fact they achieved more concrete results than anything the British forces had ever managed during their presence in Basra.
The solution of the Iraqi situation cannot be helped by trying to find scapegoats and excuses to run away and escape. The formulae expounded by the Democrats amount to nothing but defeat and escapism. The problem is that this is a situation where defeat is fatal. If anybody thinks that the U.S. can run away this time, and sits safely and happily in tranquil isolation between the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans, is in grave error. Solutions can be found to reduce casualties and expenses, but the strategic involvement of the U.S. in Iraq is a necessary and sufficient condition to avert a disaster the scale of which boggles the mind…
I agree wholeheartedly.
HAT TIP: NRO’s The Corner
Entry Filed under: War on Terror
16 Comments
1. Leo Pusateri | April 11th, 2008 at 9:01 am
The answer is simple. The anti-war, moonbat left will accept nothing short of defeat. They will accept nothing short of a terrorist takeover in Iraq, so that they can seize upon the opportunity to call the mission (and, by extension, GWB) a total failure. Damned the consequences, damned the genocides. Political victory for the DNC, not victory for Iraq, is their end game.
Anyone who cannot see that by now is blind.
2. Sunny | April 11th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Leo, and when did we lose this war? It was won long ago by the US. The Iraqis have had five years to get their act together and have had tremendous support from the US military to do so. I know of no one who wants the terrorists to take over in Iraq and that is a cheap shot to even make such a statement. Typical of the radical right wingnuts.
3. Aztec | April 11th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
It’s always the same. When things aren’t going well in the war it’s somehow the fault of left. It has nothing to do with gross mismanagement or severe miscalculations at the start. The fact that the administration can’t even tell the difference between Sunni’s and Shiites or Iranians and Iraqi’s has absolutely nothing do to with the mess were in.
4. Joe | April 11th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Leo, how do you “win” an occupation?
We are paying Iraq to use us as a crutch. Enough already.
5. sam | April 11th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
People like Leo and Mark are exactly what Aztec said…..they place blame for Iraq’s failures on the left, and they place praise in iraq on the right. its that simple.
Leo, you are a complete nut. Stop with all the ideological rhetoric and stop spreading LIES about the left. please, how old are you again??
And Mark, you are just plain ignorant and wrong. You simply don’t allow yourself to see the truth because of your religious and ideological beliefs.
Truth is, 5 years into the war, and you can’t even secure the green zone, the southern part, and Iraq’s borders. If you call that success and progress, then you are right. Fact is you will remain in iraq until your people lose the will to fight like they have been doing slowly. then you will leave and claim you have won a great victory when in reality you come home with your tails between your legs because your mercenary army does not fight for morality or freedom, they fight for everything else, but not those two reasons.
I love this Iraq war, its slowly seeping your power and influence away, and your don’t even realize it.
6. Rich | April 11th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Methinks its Time for Sam the terrorist to be banned again. Any lefties on here agree that rooting for the enemy is a bannable offense?
7. Tractatus | April 11th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
The anti-war, moonbat left will accept nothing short of defeat. They will accept nothing short of a terrorist takeover in Iraq
The sad thing about Leo (well…one of the sad things about Leo) is that he’s not kidding when he says that. He’s not being hyperbolic–at least he doesn’t think so. He honestly thinks that the above is dead-on accurate, rational, stone-cold-sober analysis.
Leo’s what you would call an easy sell.
8. Zach | April 11th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
“then you will leave and claim you have won a great victory when in reality you come home with your tails between your legs because your mercenary army does not fight for morality or freedom, they fight for everything else, but not those two reasons.”
I have a two close friends whom I went to high school with that both served mulitple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, and a family member that served 2 tours in afghanistan.
These people are good men and they sure as hell dont deserve to be categorized as part of a “mercenary army”.
I find your comment amusing more so than unsulting. Making blanket statements about our military only shows your real lack of intelligence.
9. Rich | April 11th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Here is an interesting take on the Battle of Basra.
http://www.slate.com/id/2188487/
You libs still want to claim that Sadr kicked our butts? Whatever happened to Sadr’s million man march on Wednesday?
10. sam | April 11th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
HAHAHAHHAAHA, because I talk about issues and say stuff that is labeled “anti-american” by the right wing conservatives on this blog, my comments now wait for moderation. WOW! i feel like im in 1939 Nazi Germany……..
11. Zach | April 11th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
If you call the United States Armed Forces a “Mercenary Army” I believe people of all political affiliations would condemn your words agaisnt our magnificent military.
Not just “right-wing conservatives” as you put it.
I suggest letting Sam stay on this blog. He serves as a good reminder of the ignorant hatred posed towards this country.
12. Byzantine138 | April 11th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
The libs aren’t capable of seeing the amazing success we’re having in Iraq. This blatant denial is like an adult continuing to believe in Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny. The good news is America and Iraq don’t need the libs on board. We can chart our path to further success without them. In fact, I am so overjoyed with the gains we’ve made in Iraq that I’ve been making inquiries on how best to start a business over there. My designs are leaning toward a burger joint, the kind that is becoming an endangered species in our coastal regions due to vegan lib meddling. American businessmen and noble Iraqi citizens will have a place to discuss current affairs, enjoy some real good food, and discuss matters of faith and commerce. I’m also considering the addition of a local jobs board and charitable collection boxes. We can thank McCain for having the courage to speak of the long view of Iraq. In 100 years Baghdad and Main Street America will be peas in a pod; brothers in business, and a testament to the brave sacrifices of the US Military and the Iraqi Security Forces.
13. Joe | April 11th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
The libs aren’t capable of seeing the amazing success we’re having in Iraq.
Ya know…. arguments go on here if there is success or not success. One thing I think I can safely say is that nobody thinks there has been “amazing” success in Iraq.
In fact, I am so overjoyed with the gains we’ve made in Iraq that I’ve been making inquiries on how best to start a business over there. My designs are leaning toward a burger joint…
You go and have fun with that.
In 100 years Baghdad and Main Street America will be peas in a pod; brothers in business
100 years might be the earliest that you will be able to safely start up a burger joint or any other business in Iraq if the GOP has their way.
Damn man. Cheerleading is one thing, but you have REALLY jumped off the deep end. You don’t even hear Mark with those kinds of cheers.
14. Freedom1 | April 11th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
MARK - THIS ARTICLE IS A MUST READ! GREAT NEWS FROM IRAQ!!!
This article is an updated, more complete article from 3/4/08. READ IT ALL! This is exactly what we’d hoped would happen in Iraq when freedom was introduced in the nation! :)
Violence Leaves Young Iraqis Doubting Clerics - New York Times
BAGHDAD — After almost five years of war, many young people in Iraq, exhausted by constant firsthand exposure to the violence of religious extremism, say they have grown disillusioned with religious leaders and skeptical of the faith that they preach. [...]
“I hate Islam and all the clerics because they limit our freedom every day and their instruction became heavy over us,” said Sara, a high school student in Basra. “Most of the girls in my high school hate that Islamic people control the authority because they don’t deserve to be rulers.”
Atheer, a 19-year-old from a poor, heavily Shiite neighborhood in southern Baghdad, said: “The religion men are liars. Young people don’t believe them. Guys my age are not interested in religion anymore.”
[...] Such patterns, if lasting, could lead to a weakening of the political power of religious leaders in Iraq. In a nod to those changing tastes, political parties are dropping overt references to religion.
‘You Cost Us This’
“In the beginning, they gave their eyes and minds to the clerics; they trusted them,” said Abu Mahmoud, a moderate Sunni cleric in Baghdad, who now works deprogramming religious extremists in American detention. “It’s painful to admit, but it’s changed. People have lost too much. They say to the clerics and the parties: You cost us this.”
[...] A professor at Baghdad University’s School of Law, who identified herself only as Bushra, said of her students: “They have changed their views about religion. They started to hate religious men. They make jokes about them because they feel disgusted by them.” [...]
Weary of Bloodshed
By 2006, even those who had initially taken part in the violence were growing weary. Haidar, a grade-school dropout, was proud to tell his family he was following a Shiite cleric in a fight against American soldiers in the summer of 2004. Two years later, however, he found himself in the company of gangsters.
Young militia members were abusing drugs. Gift mopeds had become gift guns. In three years, Haidar saw five killings, mostly of Sunnis, including that of a Sunni cab driver shot for his car.
It was just as bad, if not worse, for young Sunnis. Rubbed raw by Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia, a homegrown Sunni insurgent group that American intelligence says is led by foreigners, they found themselves stranded in neighborhoods that were governed by seventh-century rules. During an interview with a dozen Sunni teenage boys in a Baghdad detention facility on several sticky days in September, several of them expressed relief at being in jail, so they could wear shorts, a form of dress they would have been punished for in their neighborhoods.
Some Iraqis argue that the religious-based politics was much more about identity than faith. When Shiites voted for religious parties in large numbers in an election in 2005, it was more an effort to show their numbers, than a victory of the religious over the secular.
“It was a fight to prove our existence,” said a young Shiite journalist from Sadr City. “We were embracing our existence, not religion.”
15. Just Another Taxpayer | April 11th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Who publishes the “Mesopotamian”? Who pays for it?
If the Iraqis want us to stay so bad, why don’t they pay for our presence there? A person getting their home forclosed on doesn’t care very much to have their tax dollars used for th Iraqi welfare program.
16. DEMOCRAT’S DEFEATIS&hellip | April 11th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
[...] An Iraqi Perspective on the [...]