A World Apart

Over the last couple of weeks I have been contemplating a few things. I am closer than I thought I would be at this point in finishing my doctorate and I have had a few items come up that have caused me to do some thinking.

I normally don't like to think. Sometimes it's just easier to let others do it for you. During this process, however, I decided to consider why it is that I think like I do, or perceive things the way I do.

For people of my generation everything will be measured as the way things were before 9/11 and the way things are after 9/11. I honestly don't think that the events of 9/11 are discussed enough in this present polar situation. I think this country needs to have a better understanding of 9/11, not because I think we need to re-evaluate what we already think and believe, but because it is such a monumental event that will define an entire generation of Americans, and other peoples of this world.

During the run up to the invasion of Iraq in March 2003, I was working as a policy analyst at a bi-partisan, independent think tank. At that time, there was much discussion-- throughout the world-- about the pending war and all that entailed. The think tank hosted a number of policy meetings in order to better understand what was happening and to offer advice on the policies that would necessitate from such a preventive war. The invasion seemed imminent and those in charge of our group wanted to issue an opinion piece that would explain the position the institute would take on the war. The group was made up of three Democrats, three Republicans and one conservative/libertarian.

I was the only person in the group that was in support of the war. The group wanted the opinion piece to be a unanimous collaboration from the institute as a whole. I abstained. The piece was still published and from that time on, I argued for the necessity of removing Saddam Hussein alone.

It’s evident from reading this site that I no longer argue the necessity, but the complete lack of prescience by the Bush administration, which has caused so many unnecessary events.

Below (click read more) is an opinion piece that I submitted to the group shortly after I abstained from their collective opposition to the war.


A World Apart
March 13, 2003

Imagine if you will, that other forces besides Great Britain were allied with the U.S. in the siege of Baghdad. Imagine that these forces were set to invade Iraq from different directions all directed towards the capital, which will later be set up as an international city under different zones of influences, much like Berlin 1945. This type of battle plan is what many who oppose the U.S. invasion and eventual overthrow of Saddam Hussein desire.

Let us place Russia in this mix of the “coalition of the willing.” Russia, because of proximity, would invade Iraq from the east through the Iraq/Iran border. They would amass a huge military in Iran poised at reaching Baghdad first. Chances are, they would do so quicker than any other military. The Russians would begin their siege to Baghdad with complete brutality and sympathy towards none. The city would be leveled, much like Berlin 1945- or better yet, like Grozny 2003. Not having the ability, or the desire, the Russian army would terrorize millions of Iraqis en route to accomplishing their objectives. Once inside the city, the Russians would set up their zone of influence while forgetting to rebuild the ancient city they had just destroyed (they have a pretty good track record of this). Nevertheless, this goal would be accomplished at the request of millions who would rather see a multi-national force confronting Iraq. Baghdad would lie in ruins and hundreds of thousands would parish.

France is the next country that protestors shield behind when declaring an international force must be used. France would attack from the north through Turkey. They would attack mainly with aircraft using American satellites for guidance. Barely securing the northern Kurdish region the French would be holed up in tribal skirmishes and would be unable to penetrate out of the northern no-fly-zone. The French would suffer heavy causalities in the fighting and eventually halt in their progress towards Baghdad. After the fighting stops, their army would have to be airlifted to Baghdad (with American aircraft) in order to control their zone of influence that they so cherish because of the great pride and honor that occupying foreign soil always brings the French. The French can never miss out on a good occupation.

The Germans would only aid the French in their struggle towards Baghdad. Because of newborn conviction, the German public will not allow their troops or money to be spent on invading another country. They will only provide logistics to whosoever will need it. Again, though, the Germans will have their own zone of influence to control in the streets of Baghdad. They will proudly do the task of peacekeeping, because after all, they have done so well at keeping the peace in the past.

This is the scenario that would play out if an international invading force were used. The Russians would level Baghdad because they have no other means of successfully achieving this objective. The French would never reach the city, leaving the Americans to pick up the slack. And the Germans will watch as one of the oldest civilizations in the world is nearly annihilated. When many people wonder why these other states do not want to help in the removal of Saddam’s regime the answer is very simple- they can’t. Their military’s are simply not capable of invading Iraq without complete destruction of the country. If they were to help in the invasion it would be a catastrophe and they, as well as the U.S. all know it. They use their diplomatic leverage in the UN because that is really all they have left. Their militaries are no longer useful in this modern era of warfare, unless complete destruction of an enemy is desired, and in this case it isn’t. Call them jealous of our might or ashamed of their weaknesses, either way it doesn’t get the job done. If you want to know what Iraq would look like if these other forces were involved look at Chechnya- and multiply it times two.
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I think I must include myself in the inability to see the future group when I complain about the short sightedness and all the mistakes Bush has made. Maybe that’s why I think like I do, now.