Misreading Iraq - Again!

George W. Bush and his neoconservative supporters are hailing some signs of cooperation between Iraqi Sunni tribal leaders and U.S. forces in rooting out al-Qaeda extremists in Anbar Province as proof that Bush’s military occupation of Iraq is finally working and should not be ended by Congress. See: Misreading Iraq, Again
By Robert Parry

In pursuit of that goal, Atiyah also saw the importance of keeping the U.S. forces bogged down in Iraq. “Prolonging the war is in our interest,” Atiyah wrote in a letter that was discovered by U.S. forces after Zarqawi’s death in June 2006. [See Consortiumnews.com’s “Al-Qaeda’s Fragile Foothold.”]
The reality is that Al-Qaeda wants us to be in Iraq See: Al Qaeda Strategic Vision: Engage the U.S. Overseas, Not at Home

Download: The Management of Savagery a Translation of Major al-Qaeda Book that Outlines Its Plan for Defeating U.S. and Its Allies.

"Muslims do not 'hate our freedoms', but rather, they hate our policies. The overwhelming majority voice their objections to what they see as one-sided support in favour of Israel and against Palestinian rights, and the long-standing, even increasing support, for what Muslims collectively see as tyrannies, most notably Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Pakistan and the Gulf states.
"Thus when American public diplomacy talks about bringing democracy to Islamic societies, this is seen as no more than self- serving hypocrisy. Moreover, saying that 'freedom is the future of the Middle East' is seen as patronising ? in the eyes of Muslims, the American occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq has not led to democracy there, but only more chaos and suffering.

Comments:

Beaman said...
True, Iraq and Afghanistan are far from being successful democratic and peaceful nations. However is that really the sole fault of the coalition? I personally place most of the blame on the Iraqis, Afghans and those who seek Jihad in those nations from abroad (Iran, Syria, Pakistan and Saudi etc). These people had every chance to create a better country but didn't have the insight to see it. Was that on purpose or not? I don't know.
July 16, 2007 5:14 PM
Carol said...
Special Briefing: Jihad: Who's joining, and why?http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0803/p04s01-wogi.htmlWhat is Jihad? The purpose of jihad, in other words, is not directly to spread the Islamic faith but to extend sovereign Muslim power (faith, of course, often follows the flag). Jihad is thus unabashedly offensive in nature, with the eventual goal of achieving Muslim dominion over the entire globe.Hi Beaman,You said "These people had every chance to create a better country but didn't have the insight to see it." A better Country by our values? I don't think that we have the right to impose our beliefs on others, do you?Thanks for the visit and for taking the time to comment. I appreciate that.Peace.Carol
July 16, 2007 7:18 PM
Beaman said...
Beliefs no, but freedom from tyranny and the chance at democracy (which is the best form of government known to man), yes. I want Iraqis and Afghans to have all the freedoms, chances and peace we enjoy in the West. I believe our political values should be spread across the world, indeed.I enjoy your blog, even though I disagree here and there. :)Best Wishes.
July 17, 2007 5:10 AM
Carol said...
It's ok to disagree with me I welcome the chance to hear other points of view. I understand what you are saying but I think that the Middle East is so fundamentally and culturally different from us that they may not even want a Democracy. I think that we should really be spending our energies here at home fixing what is wrong and broken in this Country. If other Countries want and ask for our help, well then that would be another matter.Peace.Carol
July 17, 2007 10:39 AM

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