The other side of the story

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Thomas Shoemake, a Civil Affairs Officer, pauses to give candy to Iraqi children during a patrol with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) through Kubaysah, Iraq, during Operation Moon River, Dec. 31, 2005. The goal of the one-day operation, undertaken by the Marines and the Iraqi army, was to assess essential civil services in the city and show a coalition presence. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Robert A. Sturkie

Justifying Iraq

 For all of those people who feel that America’s presents in Iraq is unjustified, look at it from a tactical prospective. It is easy to look at things from a single prospective, but to understand the whole picture you have to view the issue from all sides.

   In this new age of warfare, the enemy has adapted to survive, to become a more efficient killing machine. They blend with innocents and hide amongst our own populations. They are patient, and are capable of waiting many years to plot a massive and lethal attack. They have learned that Americans and Europeans do not share their devotion to victory, nor do they share their endurance.

    Iraq, from a tactical prospective, was a noble goal. To eliminate a dictator, seize potential weapons that threaten national security, and create a supportive and peaceful front in the region. Of course, we all know things took an unexpected turn. When things go wrong everyone who supported the war suddenly became staunch protesters. Using excuses like, “Bush lied.” (Lie; To lie is to say something one believes to be false with the intention that it be taken for the truth by someone else). The intelligence was not correct, but according to the intelligence the weapons were being developed. The United States saw the threat and believed that action needed to be taken. Keep in mind that this was after the attacks on September the 11th 2001. The US was attempting to adapt to this new theater of warfare.

     Are we losing the conflict in Iraq? No. Are we wining it? No. It’s a stalemate, just like Vietnam. And just like in that war, this one will be decided by public opinion. We can win, but it requires the adaptation, the endurance, and the determination that the terrorist have.

     If the United States and the coalition troops leave Iraq now, and hope that all the bad guys will just go away, nothing good will come of it. It will send a message to the world, that the US can not follow through, and that it does not posses the ability to defend itself. If we leave Iraq, Islamic extremists i.e. the bad guys, will not simply throw down their arms and walk away satisfied. Once they taste a victory as great as the defeat of the US in a key battle, they will seek another engagement, and a battle on US soil would not be advantageous.