Great Bob Herbert op/ed in the NYT

[fizzana]

At the United Nations yesterday, grieving diplomats spoke bitterly, but not for attribution, about the U.S.-led invasion and occupation. They said it has not only resulted in the violent deaths of close and highly respected colleagues, but has also galvanized the most radical elements of Islam.

"This is a dream for the jihad," said one high-ranking U.N. official. "The resistance will only grow. The American occupation is now the focal point, drawing people from all over Islam into an eye-to-eye confrontation with the hated Americans.

<snip>

The American people still do not have a clear understanding of why we are in Iraq. And the troops don't have a clear understanding of their mission. We're fighting a guerrilla war, which the bright lights at the Pentagon never saw coming, with conventional forces.

Now we're lodged in Iraq, in the midst of the most volatile region of the world, and the illusion of a quick victory followed by grateful Iraqis' welcoming us with open arms has vanished. Instead of democracy blossoming in the desert, we have the reality of continuing bloodshed and heightened terror — the payoff of a policy spun from fantasies and lies.

http://nytimes.com/2003/08/21/opinion/21HERB.html

In the next 60 days, it's only going to get worse and in the 60 days after that, it will be even worse.

[caledesi]

1. Excellent article. Succinct and right to the point.

'Beefing up the American occupation is not the answer to the problem. The American occupation is the problem.'

Well said.

[lanlady]

2. I wonder if Bob gets along with his NYT colleague

Tom Friedman.

I have more respect for Bob.

[Beetwasher]

3. We Need Help and We Need Friends

Indeed. Well said. Unfortunately, this current group that was touted for their collective experience and stature in world affairs has participated in and instigated quite possibly the worst diplomacy in the history of civilization...

[RedEarth]

4. Great article.....

this is right on target....

"The U.S. cannot bully its way to victory in Iraq. It needs allies, and it needs a plan. As quickly as possible, we should turn the country over to a genuine international coalition, headed by the U.N. and supported in good faith by the U.S.

The idea would be to mount a massive international effort to secure Iraq, develop a legitimate sovereign government and work cooperatively with the Iraqi people to rebuild the nation.

If this does not happen, disaster will loom because the United States cannot secure and rebuild Iraq on its own.

A U.N. aide told me: "The United States is the No. 1 enemy of the Muslim world, and right now it's sitting on the terrorists' doorstep. It needs help. It needs friends."

Tragically, the only allies the US has in this fiasco are the ones we bought.....such a disaster

[grytpype]

5. One of the best pieces on the war so far. Suitable for framing.

[gratuitous]

6. Writer by writer, columnist by columnist . . .

Turning slowly, like a luxury liner far out at sea, the New York Times begins to reposition itself . . .

[Garage Queen]

11. "Turning slowly, like a luxury liner" .... or (as I like to say)

like a smoooooth oil painting of love.

:evilgrin:

[ixion]

7. great editorial

Very ominous line...
"It needs help. It needs friends."

Friends, which we really don't have many of these days, thanks to the mob tactics of the Bush cabal.

[Oilwellian]

8. I wrote Herbert a letter

Your Opinion piece titled "A Price Too High" was right on target and I'm sure left your readers with some sobering thoughts on the security of our nation as well as our troops in the future.

I do however disagree with one comment you wrote: "We're fighting a guerrilla war, which the bright lights at the Pentagon never saw coming, with conventional forces."

I believe Rumsfeld knew very well of the impending guerrilla war we'd be fighting in Iraq after we began occupying the country. As you probably know, he chose to use intelligence coming from his own Office Of Special Plans with Chalabi and the Iraqi National Congress as a source for that intelligence. Please note what Chalabi's views were right before the war began, when he and a delegation visited Iran:

"The delegation is opposed to an American occupation. The post-1945 German or Japanese model would have serious repercussions for Iraq and the region. Moreover, the birth of a democratic Iraq cannot be dependent solely on US troops invading and occupying the country. While US forces would initially be regarded as liberators, a lengthy stay would trigger dramatic opposition from Iraqis.

In the latter event, the energies of Iraqi people would be focused on affirming their Iraqi nationalism in the face of a foreign occupier, reminiscent of the 1920 revolt against the British. The painful memory of Saddam would be swiftly put aside. Extended US military rule would also unleash religious extremism in Iraq. After all, one significant feature of Ba’athist rule has been the suppression of other forms of political expression. The ideological currents in circulation in the area could also find fertile ground in Iraq, especially if they are homegrown. The rise of nationalism, on a local and regional level, would hijack whatever positive momentum has been set in motion, and fuel the recruiters of religious terrorism."
http://www.opendemocracy.net/debates/article-2-73-963.jsp

Either Rumsfeld and this administration are grossly ignorant of history in this part of the region, or they knew all along of the impending guerrilla war and greed was the ultimate goal despite the dangers we would be facing. .

Sincerely,

[gratuitous]

9. Good response!

A generally positive letter, accompanied by a little more information for what should be a sympathetic ear. If Herbert is shedding the Bush goggles, we might look for more from him along these lines.

[lebkuchen]

10. You've made a good point

Herbert was probably relying on the expertise of Col. David Hackworth about this being a guerilla war and gave the Bushies the benefit of the doubt about not having a clue. I'll bet Herbert will appreciate your observation.

[teryang]

12. They needed continuous war and the faux

"Conflict of cultures" myth to camoflage their regime's complete lack of legitimacy as they pillage and plunder the assets and rights of the American people for private gain of the few.