War Update
9/22/03

I had hoped to have this out much earlier... but late is better than never so here's a review and update on the situation in I raq.
The major push of the war, all 23 days of it was fast and furious and yes there have been problems to follow. One has to keep in mind the big scope of foreign policy and not get caught up in the day to day politics.
I would suggest you might go back and read my commentaries prior to the war in Iraq and I think you'll find that they've followed suit. I'm amazed that news analysis hasnt been able to figure this out better, the only one I've seen who is finally figuring out our foreign policy plan is Bill O'Reilly who recently wrote a similar analysis to the Iraq situation.
I will gladly offer some criticism in the evolving situation in Iraq. We dont have Hussein, we seem to be stretched thin in this effort which truly surprised me as most US military strategies would encompass overwhelming force. I also dont understand why the administration seems to be on their heels all the time with perceptions in the media, this whole idea of Iraq being involved with 911 is a purely concocted media event, nobody officially ever said such a thing. The issue of WMD's isnt even relevent in terms of finding a "smoking gun" as Iraq was in breach of their peace accord and its unanimous that Iraq had them at one time and given the right opportunity would use them.
We are seeing small insurgences, ambush attacks, sniper fire, acts of terrorism following the war effort. The administration miscalculated the Iraqi people and their culture. Nearly three generations of Iraqi's know only who has power, and who does not, they do not understand self reliance, independence, the have lived either as oppressor, or the oppressed, it will take some time for them to learn, but they will.
There are always unforseen problems associated with war, despite this, things in Iraq are at least potentially going well. There are countless good things going on in Iraq in terms of infrastructure and assembling a self governing country.
The terrorist insurgence, the ambush attacks, in a concept of foreign policy is a good thing. Despite the misery of still losing US soldiers day to day (and believe me I do not take that misery lightly, i know ppl who have kids serving in Iraq) but in strict terms of foreign policy, the insurgence of terror groups in Iraq tells us something, it tells us the terrorists are threatened, deeply so by our presence in Iraq. The idea of a US foothold in the middle east has many implications for terrorist groups, and terrorist sponsoring countries, it poses great threat to countries like Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iran and is raising the stakes for these countries to make tough choices. This also provides the United States with a strategic foothold we havent had in nearly 50 years and the ultimate hope is that this will eventually force peace as the desired option for the Palestinian question, and this whole notion scares the hell out of terrorists groups and passive terrorist-supporting countries which is exactly what the administration meant when it said "taking the battle to the terrorists." Terrorist outfits realize that their existence is threatened by our presence in Iraq, and their actions and insurgence there tell us that they clearly are worried. Have you noticed terrorist dont do much to undermine our presence in Kuwait, or in Quatar? Dont you ever ask yourself why that is? Terrorists know those 2 countries are more open free societies and it scares the hell out of them to see Iraq follow along the same or even more optimistic path.
Though some criticisms are fair, remain optimistic, this is still war and despite some of the nonsense you hear every day the US is winning in this effort. The US is applying the pressure and many of those who are our enemies are feeling that pressure and reacting to it, let them react,let them die, and someday perhaps let there be a more lasting peace.