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Thinking about the war

One thing about life in these times is that the war in Iraq is frequently in my thoughts. There is never a day the radio or TV that does not carry a report of the latest atrocity in that troubled country. The reports tend mostly to be about the attacks inflicted by Iraqi insurgents and how many unfortunate people they have murdered. The awful death tolls from these attacks gets priority. The numbers of civilians injured barely rates a mention, but it must be immense.

It is the same with official figures from the US military. The numbers of American service men and women killed in action was approaching 1,200 yesterday. No secrets there. It might have passed that figure by now. The numbers of Americans wounded is much more clouded, but apparently there are plenty. Presumably the first aid given to them is quite good – MASH 2004 style – stop the haemorrhage, stitch ‘em up, and dose them with antibiotics and morphine. It is one thing to have been saved, but there are reports that there is increasing dissatisfaction with their rehabilitation in the US. Far worse for an Iraqi, I feel sure. As for the numbers of them killed and wounded in coalition operations, that information remains very obscure.

The war is not going well in spite of the bold face put on by President Bush. There was a report in US media on the weekend that there are an estimated 20,000 insurgents and sympathisers operating in Iraq. My guess is that it would be far more in a country with a population of some twenty three and a half million. The CIA Factbook says there were 6,339,458 Iraqis available who could perform some sort of military function based upon 2003 estimates. It is reasonable to assume that a fair proportion of them would be unsympathetic to the objectives of any foreign occupying-power. In comparison there are 73,597,731 US citizens in the same category.

Attracted by the Iraqi manpower resource, the Americans have endeavoured to recruit a new Iraqi army and police service. These people have attracted the attention of the insurgency so the recruitment facilities have become primary targets. If there is a lesson in history, it is that collaborators are always treated harshly by those they are seen to oppose. Only this weekend has come the news that nearly fifty new recruits have been murdered on a desert roadside near Baquba, in eastern Iraq. There is a small photograph of some of the blood spattered bodies on page 11 of this morning’s The Australian. Interestingly, all their footwear is missing - seemingly harvested by their murderers.

Violent death has underscored the politics of Iraq for a long time. For the Iraqi families directly involved, such tragedy is as unhappy an event as for the families of the American dead. However, I think the insurgents, and the American leadership both play a statistical game. It is related to maintaining support. The casualties inflicted by both sides remain justified so long as a semblance of public support from their respective factions is maintained. The support does not have to be provided willingly. Terror strategies ensure silence when nefarious deeds are involved.

In a way, publicity of the Baquba massacre could also be beneficial to President Bush. It stands to deflect attention from American losses – possibly even justifies them in the minds of a lot of the American voting public. At least that is what Mr Bush might hope when his country goes to the polls in a few days. The loss of 1,200 young Americans is a shocking statistic to the likes of me, but that doesn’t seem to matter to the majority of Americans. They kill far more of each other every year in road accidents and homicides.

The hostage situation in Iraq seems to be a multi-pronged exercise. It demonstrates to the Iraqi populace that insurgents are ruthless people to be feared and obeyed, but it also is intended to undermine the popular support for the leadership of the coalition countries, and erode their long-term policies involving Iraq. Coupled with this is the fear now instilled into the mind of every foreigner working in Iraq, no matter how meritorious might be their role. They are a hindrance to the insurgents. On the weekend I viewed the distressing images of kidnap victim Irish born Margaret Hassan. Her situation is particularly grim. A few weeks ago they decapitated 12 Nepalese civilians, but it hardly caused a ripple in the West. But the slaughter of a Western woman, a respected aid worker, albeit a naturalised Iraqi, will be quite different. For the terrorists she is still a foreigner.

I think the future for Iraq now hinges on the outcome of the US election. If Mr Bush is reelected it is difficult to see how the situation for Iraq will improve in the short term.

© MMIV Paul R. Weaver.

About the writer

Check out the index of my "common-man" monologues about survival in 21st century Australia – plus a little history occasionally. An original essay is added most days. Topical – often humorous – no swearing – no porn – no spam – no soliciting – no religious mania – no smoking – no catches.

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