More Bad News From Iraq

Now at a time when we in America need some good news comes more distressing news from Iraq. Bad enough is the rating of Iraq as number two on the list of failing countries around the world. Now comes the expert opinion that Iraq is now the number 1 training ground for Jihadists. That is to say, with the American presence and the collapse of most governmental services, Iraq is now the destination of choice for terrorist trainees from may other countries. The Iraqi resistance is large enough inside the country that fighters from outside are no longer needed. Thus the training they receive in Iraq may be exported to their home country or to other places around the world.

The administration continues to say we are making progress in Iraq. What kind of progress can this be when a country is failing as a nation-state and is becoming a training ground for future terrorist acts? Is this what America invaded Iraq to accomplish? What about the War on Terror? How can that be won when we are providing the training ground for more warriors?

America must take a real stand in world affairs. This may start with full and complete withdrawal of all American forces from Iraq. Then and only then does real diplomacy and economic aid aimed at restoring the infrastructure of Iraq have any chance of success. Time is wasting. The longer we stay in Iraq the worse the conditions become and the lower the chance of real success in reversing the damage done.

Accepted for publication in the local newspaper, June 19, 2007.