Tuesday was a brutal day in Iraq, especially for the U.S. Marines, who lost a large number of casualties. Wednesday may be worse.
The leftists say we're acting as aggressive imperialists. Military analyst Ralph Peters wrote Monday to say we're reaping the consequences of being too Western and too considerate, including our failure to immediately pop the culprits in Fallujah who murdered four security contractors.
We viewed our non-response as disciplined - rejecting instant emotional gratification. But the insurgents, the terrorists and the mob read matters differently: Our failure to send every possible Marine and soldier, along with Paul Bremer's personal bodyguard and a squad of armed janitors, into the streets of Fallujah to impose a draconian clampdown created the impression - not entirely unfounded - that we were scared.We broke a basic rule: Never show fear. No matter how we may rationalize our inaction, that is what we did.
Instead of demonstrating our strength and resolve, we have encouraged more attacks and further brutality - while global journalists revel in Mogadishu-lite.
Of course, we're not going to flee Iraq as President Bill Clinton ran from Somalia. But our hesitation to respond to atrocities against Americans has renewed our enemies' hope that, if only they kill enough of us, as graphically as possible, they still can triumph over a "godless" superpower.
To possess the strength to do what is necessary, but to refuse to do it, is appeasement. Since Baghdad fell, our occupation has sought to appease our enemies - while slighting our Kurdish allies. Our attempts to find a compromise with a single man - the Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani - have empowered him immensely, while encouraging intransigence in others.
Weakness, not strength, emboldens opponents - and creates added terrorist recruits.
Peters is also worried about the future.
We came to Iraq faced with the problems Saddam created. Increasingly, we face problems we ourselves created or compounded.If the administration lacks the guts to do what must be done, free Iraq will face a dismal future. As vicious as they are, our enemies have the courage of their convictions.
Do we?
One thing is sure: this administration has a proclivity for playing comeback ball. That's hard, and often not successful. Beware.
Posted by Alan at April 7, 2004 12:10 AM