Hawk..welcome to the real world. After reading your last series of posts I'm amazed at the change in your positions.
I don't believe I've altered my overall positions very far...
I still believe that the threat is militant Islam and that we were inevitably going to have to be involved in a fight against them.
Quite simply, Iraq is being invaded by UNWANTED Foreign Fighters under the control of a NON-IRAQI religious fanatic, Zarqawi, who is vying to replace Bin Laden as head of Al Qai'da on the international stage.
And I believe I've always stated that Iraq was comparable to a prison camp where the "inmates" have suddenly been given freedom after 30 years and they don't know how to behave (as one Iraqi general put it, "the Iraqi people have lost their moral compass because of Saddam's regime. It will take several generations to rebuild it".
I've also stated that Iraqi is important geo-politically because it's smack dab in the heart of the radical part of the Mid-east, between Iran, Syria, and Saudi Arabia. Creating the foundation for lasting political and social change here will create similar demands for change in its neighboring countries.
However, if I recall your opinion correctly, we should have just left Saddam in power and perpetuated placing temporary political "band-aids" on a regional problem..
And you claim that what we're doing is NOT impeding their efforts. Listen.. the other day Zarqawi came out with a direct call for all-out war against the Shiites in hopes of sparking a civil war between them and the Sunnis.
The next thing you know, he was FORCED by the Sunni leadership of Iraq to RETRACT that statement and amend it to "only Shiites who collaborate with the Coalition Forces and Iraqi government".
It's a small step.. but it's a VERY positive sign that Zarqawi is losing influence among his Sunni Arab constituency.
Furthermore, on a grand strategic scale, what is being revealed in Iraq is that the Jihadists DO NOT CARE if they kill fellow Muslims (something DIRECTLY OUTLAWED in the Koran). And IMO, the only way we can motivate the moderate muslim leadership to assert itself, is if Islamo-Fascism is stripped of its facade of only waging war against "infidels".
It's sad to say, but every suicide bombing committed against muslims here in Iraq deprives Zarqawi of all but the most extremist, or mentally deranged, followers.
Hamas can claim it's only targeting Jews.. But Zarqawi's groups has shown it's true colors and it's "vision" for the kind of intolerant ideology it wishes to impose upon Muslims around the world.
And doesn't this seem to jibe with what you just stated.. That they have to experience the repercussions of living under such a society before they can make an honest decision not to choose such a system? Well, that's what is happening, more and more, here in Iraq. The fighting between Sunnis and Zarqawi's forces in Anbar province is indicative of that.
What force can we exert to "train" that, what incentives can we offer to "train" that, what is it that can make a separate and ancient society change it's views on tolerance, governance, women's rights, ethics, religious values, etc., etc.?
Force? None..
However, education, instruction, and leading by example, can have quite an effect.
There was not true professional "NCO Corps" in the previous Iraqi army. Officers were considered "Gods" and their was a strict caste system in place. That's much less the case in the new Iraqi army (although there is still corruption).
If you recall, the US military, over the course of decades, was the leading force for racial and sexual integration.. It was far ahead of the rest of society.
Gotta go!!
Hawk |
