News – Iraq Anarchy (1/2)

It has been a night and morning of contemplation for me. Oft playing in my mind is a short talk with my mother, who noted as I passed heading up the stairs that the Iraqis were dancing, poking fun at my prior assertions to her of Bush’s moronic tendencies. I just smiled at her. Though she works at the Pentagon, she watches Fox and believes it fair and balanced. I love her, but she’s got a small range of view and doesn’t seek to expand it. I try at times, but she doesn’t want to listen, thus I choose not to antagonize her too often simply because it matters not. The war is, for the most part, won. That was never in doubt, even by me. I was more concerned with the potential loss of life in a poorly executed plan(debatable) and the general anarchy left in the aftermath of the quick rush. Despite what Rumsfeld might have you believe, there is a humanitarian crisis in Iraq as many cities that once had water now do not, with those who have the elixir of life selling it to those who do not. Such opportunism and looting will flourish for a time in this anarchistic Iraq. Such things could have been avoided by a more reasoned and moderate campaign, but I suppose that it is too late now to worry about what could have been.

Now is the time to worry about what is. And what will be.

But first what is:

The Iraqi Kurds are getting in on some of the action now. A slightly disconcerting thing about the article, where there is a note of the Kurds viewing the taken city of Kirkuk as their capital. Kirkuk, an oil rich city. A city that is the type often fought over. The implications based off that circumstantial bit worry me.

Reaction to Saddam’s apparent defeat in Baghdad, where most expected more fight, left Arab nations shocked. Understandable. Though it seems that the fall of Saddam is not being met with jubilation by those outside of Iraq. At least, not entirely. The comments in this article should be read and acknowledged. The word is wary of the US and wondering where next we will strike, even as US forces tell Iraqis to rise up.

Iraq’s UN ambassador, Mohammed Aldouri, is an interesting figure now. He’s had to defend his country on the debate floor since this mess started. And he’s done so as well as could be expected. Now that matters are changed, he concedes the game is over. Some might revile him for defending Saddam’s regime, but really what choice did he have? None. Looking at the comments in this article by his peers, he seems well liked and not looked down upon. Personally, I’ve nothing against the man. He did what was required of him and will continue to do so as any patriot would. Perhaps now he’ll have a sane government to fight for.

An interesting image I saw on one story is one which shows several Iraqi soldiers stripped to the waist, bound and set in a ditch. The caption mentioned something about interrogation. Wouldn’t this count as humiliating them on camera? Whatever happened to the scrupulous US adherence to the Geneva Conventions? Look in their news gallery, you’ll know it when you see it, one of the soldiers looking toward the camera with a dubious expression.

An important question is posed to Explainer. Who Buries dead Iraqi Soldiers?

A Slate article which I don’t agree with and generally seems short sighted to me. Indeed, they are fighting words. But most who are for the war are trumpeting this moment as their moment of vindication. And perhaps it is, but this moment is just the first in a long journey that has yet begun. The fighting went well, overall. I will admit that. But that was the easiest part of this. The hardest is yet to come. As this one notes, the US will not be able to shape Iraq the way they hope. And we’ll have a heavy investment in that country for some time to come.

Today’s Papers largely trumpet the same. The defeat, though they don’t all ignore that there is still some fighting in Baghdad. Other cities in Iraq are without basic resources and the Red Cross has suspended its efforts citing lack of security. I watched a spot on 60 Minutes last night where angry Iraqis in cities without aid vented their frustration. Some saying they were better of with Saddam. They had water then. The US plans to hit up the UN with a resolution blessing a US led interim government. That’ll likely go the way of their last resolution.

Assessment assesses Ahmad Chalabi, leader of the Iraqi National Congress. Personally, I don’t trust this man one bit and am wary of his participation.

Chatterbox muses the upcoming meeting of OPEC June 11th and the obvious fact that Iraq is unlikely to have leadership solid enough to attend it in time. What shall we do? Press Box looks at the deaths of journalists in the Baghdad fight and what significance they might have, global or otherwise.

Of course, the threat of North Korea remains. And after watching what happened in Iraq, I doubt their leadership will be quick to give up weapons when it seems that does no good in dissuading US aggression despite International Law.

Iraqi dinars with Saddam’s picture on them are starting to sell on Ebay. Which is understandable, I doubt his mug will grace them for much longer, which will eventually make the bills collectors items. You hear that Iraqis? Save your Saddam money, in a few decades you might be able to retire selling them to collectors. 😉