To Prevail in Iraq

An AP news story published today in the News and Record indicates North Carolina Republican Congressman Walter Jones, with whom I usually agree, is introducing legislation calling for a pullout of American forces in Iraq. 

The article indicates that Jones feels the original reason for invading Iraq-- WMD's-- turned out to be false.  It states he was swayed on this matter by the tragic loss of  Sgt. Michael Bitz who had two children, and two more on the way.   He states he believes the Iraqi's can defend their own country, but did not rule out the possibility of civil war.   He indicates we lack the troop strength to continue over a long-term basis with other challenges in the war on terror to address.

Other stories on the AP wire today suggest that a poll supports the withdrawal of troops from Iraq; that Dick Cheney is holding firm on the prison at Guantanamo Bay; and that casualties continue to mount.  Abu Ghraib and the alleged attacks on the Koran have been the focus of recent media emphases also.

I doubt Jones has the ability as a solitary US Congressman to assess objectively the ability of the indigenous Iraqi forces to maintain order, and the need to divert US troops elsewhere.  I think his reliance on a single instance of tragic loss is inappropriate in determining overall war policy. I think he needs to review the entire geopolitical case for entering Iraq in the first place.

But I wonder about the appropriateness of a continuing national media drumbeat diminishing our efforts in the war on terror.  Some serious questions need to be asked regarding whether we are doing all that is needed to prevail.    These questions are not being asked because the national media is focusing once again on transitory setbacks and inflating the significance of certain negative events.

We need to begin with the premise that it is essential we prevail in Iraq and the larger war on terror; and then concentrate our intellectual energies on how to get there.   Leaving Iraq to be potentially taken over by al Qaeda should not be part of the menu of options available to us.  We should not leave until it is clear the new government is able to defend itself and maintain order. We may need, however, to make some adjustments in our strategy.