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Iraq: Helping or Hurting?
By Lt Col P
**Update Below***
Which one is it—are we making little jihadists or snuffing them out with the campaign in Iraq?
Michelle Malkin has the NIE link and some further commentary. The boys at Blackfive weigh in too.
Update: And see this very interesting commentary by David Ignatius in the WaPo.
The answer is that we’re doing both. But to assert that because we are in Iraq the enemy is rallying and multiplying (and therefore if we weren't there the problem would evaporate) is to ignore a basic principle of warfare: it is the violent and chaotic clash of two hostile and irreconcilable wills, each trying to impose itself on the other. The enemy does what the enemy wants to do as a matter of his own will. The enemy fights us in Iraq because he chooses to; the enemy rallies recruits to his cause because he actively seeks to do so. That’s war.
Look at it this way. Did the large scale bombing of German cities increase or decrease the will and capability of the Third Reich to wage war? One might argue that the Germans, like the British, rallied to the cause when they endured day after day and night after night of air raids. One can also argue that, beyond the destructive effect of the raids, there was what we would call an “IO message” from the Allies: We will continue bombing as long as you continue the war. The planes you see day and night will pound you relentlessly for the war that you started. You can shoot some down but you can’t stop us, and every time you hear a plane overhead remember that it’s one of ours, not one of yours.
Our campaign in Iraq, as with our campaigns elsewhere, is a physical manifestation of our will to fight wherever we think it is necessary, and impose our terms on the enemy. For those who say it’s not worth the price, I would say, ask yourself what is the cost of not fighting?
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Comments
The argument that we are making little jihadists is just a smoke screen to cofuse the ignorant masses.
The jihadists hate us for one reason. Period. We refuse to convert to Islam and adopt Sharia law. It has absolutely nothing to do with where we choose to defend ourselves against their efforts to subjugate us.
Very good!
I agree, in theory. In Desert Storm the prolonged air campaign before hand helped lessen morale, i'm sure.
But there is one thing that has gotten my attention lately. With the Army and the Pentagon at odds over the latest Army budget... would we be helping or hurting if we keep our fighters there, but not give them the proper tools, funding, and manpower that they need to do the job properly? With more political pressure to reduce troops and reduce funds, will it still worth the cost of fighting if we do it improperly? As for what I think...I don't know. I've been thinking about this and can't come to any conclusions.
In my opinion, the likely answer, which has been commonly agreed upon, is that we are doing both--helping and hurting--in Iraq. Unfortunately, simply agreeing leaves little hope of ever finding a solution to the increasing violence without end. It is constantly mentioned that we are at war. My question, however, is with whom are we at war with? Again, in my opinion, the answer is no one. We are at "odds" with religious beliefs. We in the U.S. have so eloquently seen fit to try and forget the moral foundations that made this country so great. Is it our mission to subjugate other nations to our will when we are uncertain of our own. This conflict can be resolved, however, I do not believe that it can be done by force of arms. Our leaders must generate a "sincere" dialogue with Islamic leaders. A compromise must be reached regarding our level of interference in their countries. Our culture is not perfect and neither is theirs.
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sharp commentary sir, and I agree. Both are occuring.