The War in Iraq

The war in, or occupation of, Iraq is proving much more difficult than expected.

Part of this is because of the lack of planning by Donald Rumsfeld's Department of Defense. A greater part, however, is the fact that we, not the Iraqis, are running the show.

Until we stop doing almost everything for them, they have no reason to step up to the plate and carry the burdens of their own freedom. We may particularly ask why, with oil priced at $120 per barrel, we are still paying to rebuild Iraqi infrastructure.

Some ninety years ago, T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) made this observation:

"Better the Arabs do it tolerably than you do it perfectly. It is their war, and you are there to help them, not to win it for them."

It is still applicable and the sooner we act on it, the sooner we can leave. Until we can leave, preferably with some of our honor intact, it is well that we remember another of Lawrence's thoughts:

"Making war on insurgents is messy and slow, like eating soup with a knife."

We should also follow the example of Harry Truman in 1948 when the Greek Civil War was just beginning. He told the Greek Government that, if they wanted to keep their country out of the hands of the Communists, they would have to fight for it. He, also, informed them that the USA would provide cash, some weapons, and a very limited number of troops to serve as trainers and advisers.

The Greeks cared enough to fight for and, with our help, keep their country. The Iraqis can too if they are willing to fight for it. If not, why should we expend lives and treasure in what will surely be a losing cause?