A Soldiers View: Perspective on Victory in Iraq
Thursday, January 31, 2008 at
09:58 AM
by BlogMasters
Perspective from Iraq.
Let there be no misunderstanding, Iraq is the most dangerous place on the face of the earth, even after 4 ½ year of US occupation. Personal perspective, emotion and proximity to the problems blur the issue we face today, but history will reveal the War in Iraq to be the most difficult challenge ever faced by the United States. During previous wars, our enemies have had clearly defined geographic or strategic objectives. Our primary enemy in the Global War on Terror is al Qaeda whose global ideological goals are far more ominous. This enemy also has no governmental boundaries, no morale boundaries and no tolerance for anyone who disagrees with their agenda. In the War in Iraq we must also deal with a decimated economy, an infant democratic government and a culture which suffers from years of abuse and mistrust.
What is Victory in Iraq?
Victory in the War in Iraq does not mean “peace” in Iraq. Victory will be achieved when this new democratic government learns to reconcile the differences among the factions represented in their culture, fairly negotiate and compromise in the best interest of all the diverse factions within Iraq, reduce the chaos to a manageable level in order to provide a stable environment which will provide for the basic services to the citizens and foster sustainable economic growth. Succinctly stated, victory requires: reconciliation among all the major religious and ethnic groups, manageable security, and economic growth.
The good news is that Iraq is one of the wealthiest nations on earth in terms of natural resources. Sitting on an estimated 200 billion barrels of crude oil, with the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers providing more fresh water than all the rest of the Middle East combined, Iraq is a beautiful country with four thousand years of history. The children of Iraq represent its greatest unblemished potential. With a heritage derived from hard working ancestors, the gift of a forgiving heart and discipline for surviving adversity, they are equipped for the challenges which Iraq faces. They deserve the opportunities which their land can afford them. With help in this most trying of times they will excel.
The other good news is that Iraq is a nation of 26 million people, just like the hard working people of every other nation. There are less than ½ of 1% of the people in Iraq who are engaging in the terrorist and insurgent activities. The other 25 ½ million Iraqi citizens just want to live in peace, with a tolerance for the beliefs of others. If we abandon Iraq to the ½ million terrorist, insurgents and criminals who are causing the problems, we will be sacrificing the 25 ½ million citizens who are now looking, in the not to distant future, at peace, prosperity and independence for the first time in their history.
Can we achieve victory in Iraq?
As stated above “victory” is: reconciliation, controlled chaos, restoration of basic services and economic growth. Iraq is rapidly moving in the proper direction on all these fronts. So the answer is: yes we can achieve victory in Iraq. The military and State Department effort in Iraq is focused, no totally fixated, on all four of those agenda.
To deal with this challenge, America has provided 160,000 men and women. As a career military officer, with over 42 years of observation, emphatically, the young men and women in today’s military are the best trained, most highly educated, best equipped and most highly motivated military force in our countries history. Furthermore the diversity of this military effort is simply amazing. The military effort in Iraq is a seamless fusion of Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine and Coast Guard men and women. Furthermore active military components are joined by Reserve and National Guard forces for the various services. Working on a project or mission with this diverse group, it is not possible to distinguish the difference. This is possible because military culture and discipline are universal and it is another reason why they represent the best military force the world has ever seen
We are incredibly fortunate to have General David Petraeus commanding the military operations in Iraq. He is unquestionably the right man at the right time. He is perhaps the most brilliant military professional our country has ever produced and I believe historians will spend a fair amount of time detailing that. LTG Ray Odierno, Commanding General of the Multi National Corps – Iraq, is another truly exceptional military leader, a soldier’s Soldier and the right man to be leading the ground combat forces in Iraq.
Every American should be incredibly proud and grateful for the service of these dedicated professional volunteers. America is in good hands, but America must loosen the reigns and allow the time needed to accomplish this difficult task.
So the short answer to the question: Can we achieve victory in Iraq? Yes, if we are given the time to do so. Having spent almost a year on the General Petraeus’s staff at Multi National Forces – Iraq, I have been assigned to Strategic Effects Economic and worked closely with Embassy Economic, Treasury Department staff. I could itemize many specific projects which focus on the agenda needed to win victory in Iraq. But that is less important than understanding the need for the American people to have faith in the military leadership and the professionalism of those serving here.
The consequences of failure to achieve victory are complex and far reaching.
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Friday, March 21, 2008 - Victory
I am extremely proud of what y'all have done. Of our troops, past and present, my pride in them has no boundry. Standing For Those Who Stood For Us, Solo
Posted by Anonymous
