Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Beirut, Baghdad--We need to react better in 2003 than we did in 1983.
Wall St Journal ^ | 8-25-03 | FOUAD AJAMI

Posted on 08/25/2003 5:34:14 AM PDT by SJackson

Edited on 04/22/2004 11:49:43 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]

If the past is any guide, we may never know the name of the suicide bomber who drove the flatbed truck into the U.N. compound in Baghdad last week, for we still don't know the name of the boy who drove the Mercedes truck loaded with TNT into the Marine barracks in Beirut on the morning of Oct. 23, 1983. What we know of that seminal event two decades ago is the aftermath: the death of 241 U.S. servicemen, the proud initial assertion that Lebanon would not be left to the forces of radicalism, and then the scramble to pull America out of the hell of Lebanon. That country was abandoned to the tender mercies of Syria. There were no discernible American interests in that city by the Mediterranean. We quit Beirut under Arab eyes, to the impression that America is easily discouraged, that a band of plotters could dissuade us from larger goals.


(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs; War on Terror
KEYWORDS:

1 posted on 08/25/2003 5:34:22 AM PDT by SJackson
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: SJackson
Fouad Ajami is our greatest living Orientalist. He is an Arab from a Shiite family, so his bias is clear. Fouad wishes us well in the difficult struggle ahead. Our enemies are giving it their all and in the task ahead we must not tire, flag, falter, or fail. America is not a nation of quitters. We have set ourselves a mission and must look ahead to complete it. God Bless America.
2 posted on 08/25/2003 5:40:47 AM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SJackson
Brilliant...Bttt!
3 posted on 08/25/2003 5:50:46 AM PDT by lainde
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SJackson
Bump.
4 posted on 08/25/2003 6:01:46 AM PDT by aculeus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: goldstategop
Fouad Ajami is our greatest living Orientalist. He is an Arab from a Shiite family, so his bias is clear.

He is not biased. He's been giving sound pro-American advice for years.

For those who want bias, read Buchanan or Novak.

5 posted on 08/25/2003 7:19:52 AM PDT by aculeus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: SJackson; dighton; general_re; hellinahandcart
An antidote for Buchanan, Novak et al.
6 posted on 08/25/2003 10:03:56 AM PDT by aculeus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: aculeus; Ragtime Cowgirl; saquin
He's been giving sound pro-American advice for years.

Yes. I remember him, from ages ago, as one of the few good guys on TV.

7 posted on 08/25/2003 10:21:05 AM PDT by dighton (NLC™)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: dighton
Thanks for the heads up. Post 9-11, this administration, there is no question about their seriousness in identifying and taking out the rats.

8 "THERE WILL BE NO RETREAT" ~ and other quotes from experts the PRESS ignored this week.
  ~ White House, DoD, various  | 8/25/03 | Pres. Bush, Amb. Bremer, SOD Rumsfeld +

8 posted on 08/25/2003 1:40:16 PM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl (Rummy to Rats, 8/21* This much is certain: their cause is lost. That regime will not be coming back.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson