The Iraqi War

The War in Iraq is producing increasing numbers of cassualties. The cassualties are truly tragic for the families of the injured or killed soldiers. The numbers, however, to date have been very low when compared to wars of the past.

Before the recent war, Iraq had one of the largest armies in the world. The Iraqi army fought several wars and had a lot veterans with combat experience.

Specialized units such as the special Republican Guards and the Republican Guards were well respected. The Iraqi army was defeated in a few weeks. The cassualties during the "war" were extremely low. This created unrealistic expectations during the post war period. Errors were also made for the post war period.

There were not enough ground troops to secure the peace. Intelligence on the ground was weak. Moreover, arrogance in the western establishment set the conditions for a vibrant insurgency to form. The lack of respect for the Iraqi army, even the most professional elements such as the Republican Guard Units, created resentment and hatred. The Sunni community lost power and its wealth; They were ousted from the Iraqi establishment.

The western Media helped create unrealistic expectations and minimized the risks moving forward. The Media was the worst at creating this image of arrogance. 

In Nazi Germany following WWII, George Paton brought into his administration "Nazis" and returning German troops to help govern Bavaria, where he was the Military Governor. The media helped destroy Paton in the post war period, because of the inclusion of "Nazis" but Bavaria was the most efficiently run jurisdiction in the early post war period. The former enemy was recruited and included in Paton's administration. This process of inclusion helped letigimize the US occupation.

Paton was ahead of his times in recognizing the need to bring Germany into a new western alliance to confront Soviet Power.

Wars are messy and unpleasant undertakings. This is why nations should be very careful to avoid wars in the first place. Moreover, they must first define, following open debate in their democratic institutions, what national interests require the use of force that will inevitably result in the death many fine young men and women in the armed forces. Soldiers kill and are inevitably killed in wars. They know this and come forward with open eyes. However, once a war is started the armed forces should receive all necessary resources to win so that the loss of life would not be wasted on failed Undertakings. We send them to do our dirty work and accordinly we promise to support them, to honour and remember them!

The US and Britain made the mistake of discharging all the Iraqi forces. Unemployed and resentful soldiers were recruited by the "politicos" with money. The Iraqi army was not Saddam or his cronies. It is an institution central to the Iraqi State. Key leaders and Units should have been won over (money, promotions and respect would have helped).

Notwithstanding the many mistakes made, the United States cannot be defeated militarily. The US has a population exceeding 300 million. Iraq is a small country. The Sunni community is even smaller. However, like Vietnam our worst enemies are often within. The defeatists or opportunists who seek personal gain at the expense of the nation's interests. Home grown terrorist cells formed from misguided youth who betray their new country. Religious leaders who enjoy religious freedom only to betray the very institutions that allow them their freedoms. This in turn makes us less free as we improve security at the cost of less freedom for the majority; a more powerful and intrusive state is necessary to give us more security on the home front.

The media is also often "out to lunch" in the sense that they adopt bad news as the correct news. Negative news is good news because it increases circulation and generates extra profits.

As long as the United States has the will to win it will never be defeated in Iraq. It has such significant advantages that it cannot  be defeated on the war front. Time is required to destroy the insurgents. This process has begun with troop surge and it will take years to succeed. The tribal leaders should continue to be included in the power structures. Money should flow into the Sunni communities. Elements of the Republican Guard should be encouraged to come on side in Sunni Communities.

Federalism should be encouraged. Allow the Sunni community to elect its own leaders and recruit its own security forces. Give those security forces money, all necessary resources and make sure they are respected and treated as professionals.