A losing battle?

On September 11th 2001, the United States was the victim of a series of coordinated attacks which resulted in the deaths of approximately 5000 persons. This atrocity while heinous, really shouldn’t have come as a surprise given America’s interference in foreign nations’ affairs. It was inevitable that an aggrieved nation would respond against such interference.
Consider this; if someone was to push their way into your home and start imposing their
opinions and lifestyles upon you, no-one would argue if you decided to use force to expel them.
This is the case with America and Iraq. Under the cloak of democracy the U.S. has invaded (they like to call it ‘liberated’) Iraq, and the natives, at least enough of them to make a difference, have taken the only recourse available to them. Collectively, there is a military force of approximately 350,000. The Iraqi army has been decimated by the invasion, leaving only a comparatively small band of defiance. How can they overtly stand against the might of a superpower? Simply, they can’t. So their only possible recourse is to attack and withdraw, covertly.
Coming from Northern Ireland, this author has first hand experience of the effects of terrorism. It had started before I was born, and it was still happening when I left for Australia. For thirty years the U.K. has been struggling with it–so far, and millions of pounds, and thousands of deaths has been the cost. Disturbingly, the weapons used for this murderous rampage were funded predominately (but not exclusively—ironically, the Middle East was a supplier also) by Republican sympathizers in the U.S. There is now a widely applauded peace, but I use that term lightly, for while the terrorists are getting their way, things are fine; once they don’t–well, let’s just say–they haven’t surrendered ALL their weapons.
There is a (now famous) quote from George ‘dubya’, proclaiming a ‘war on terror’, following the attacks — with an invasion thereafter. It’s interesting that, in their desperation to have a connection with Ireland no matter how tenuous, America was willing to fund the weapons and explosives that killed innocents and destroyed property, yet when the violence reaches her doorstep, a ‘war’ is declared.
This kind of terrorism is, frighteningly, impossible to defeat. A man (or woman, or child) willing to strap on a device and detonate it, is unstoppable. Put a soldier on every street corner, saturate the area with officers, employ a strict curfew; these extreme measures might work, if you can identify and catch all with ‘tendencies’ before they go to ground. But at what cost? The personal freedom of the people would certainly suffer.
One must understand; Iraq is a country about 10,000 years old. In fact, some scientists claim it (that general area) is the origin of human life. The indigenous people have been existing for that long, and tribal wars are as much a part of their lives as general injustice is to western society. They have a rich and cultured history and the longevity of their existence is clear evidence of a successful civilization.
Then along comes a mere foetus of a nation in comparison, attempting to impose its ways. This may just be a coincidence. One could argue that regardless of the age difference, someone should step in and put a stop to acts of murder, no matter where it occurs. Well, that is a valid point, one that has many supporters, but invasion almost never works and the cost in human life of such far outweighs the cost of the reason for invasion

The US might be better served, as a viable economy, if it was to withdraw. The financial burden of a prolonged campaign (already enormous), would spiral as the war continued and the economy would show signs of the strain. Moreover, the associated emotional toll from the death of sons and daughters, almost daily, will have, and has had a wearing effect on the general populus.
But saying that, to withdraw would cause problems of its own. America’s global standing would be damaged. To acquiesce to terrorists would leave an indelible stain on the image of the nation. A stain, quite frankly, which could never be erased; to be recorded forever in history
Then you have the feeling of abandonment felt by the Iraqis – again. In ’91 they withdrew (once they secured the oilfields, some would say), leaving the Iraqis to whatever fate befell them.
So, the mighty US has manoeuvred itself into an impossible position; one from which it can’t extricate itself without price, whichever path it chooses.
As children, my generation had never heard of Saddam Hussein. Then in ’91, he burst into global limelight; a short war followed, America crowed victorious, and they all went home, the oilfields secure. Saddam slipped once again, into anonymity. His being, whether I or you like it or not, had no discernable effect on my being, but, and I say this with the utmost gravity, we all of us will feel the effects of the US led invasion.
This may seem like anti-American diatribe. I assure you it’s not. But it was a mistake to invade Iraq–one that will have far reaching ramifications. The Allies involved in this are going to find themselves in a no-win situation. It’s a very real possibility that they could find themselves still there 20 or 30 years from now, still fighting against the sons and daughters of the men and women they now fight.