Further, while many of these citizens were “un-armed” it stands to question just how “innocent” or “un-involved” they may have been about the incident.
There is something to be said for an anticipated reaction to hostilities in any given war or specific battle. The anticipated reaction of the USA to a nuclear strike by the USSR is what prevented hostilities. The precursor to that understanding happened to be events in Japan that ended WWII.
A successful strategy in past wars was to have the “innocent civilians” fear their enemy more than they feared their own fighters. Break their will to fight and/or support the fight is what won the Asian side of WWII.
The same could be said for terrorist attacks on the USA. I would expect and hope, God Forbid, that if the USA was attacked again, much of the world would wring their hands and go into panic about the anticipated reaction. We have set precedence with our reaction to 9/11. I believe that our reaction does serve as a deterrent. I would expect that rational leaders of government around the world hope that America is never attacked again for fear or our going out and toppling another country or two.
Peace through strength. It is why I believe, 100%, that we can never “pull out of Iraq.” I don't care if we “occupy” sovereign territory (Bases) in Iraq for 100 years if our ominous presence strikes fear into the hearts and souls of those that wish our innocent civilians harm.
Again, I do not condone the reckless killing of innocent civilians in any battle but understand the fog of war and adrenaline induced action in a firefight. It's an unfortunate and messy business, this thing we call war. It is also unfortunate that war is often necessary to defend innocence and freedoms. It is costly but the ROI is invaluable.
It’s clear by now that Al Qaeda’s use of Haditha for propanganda purposes was a miserable failure. All the “involuntary martyrs” blown to pieces by Al Qaeda makes the 24 deaths in Haditha insignificant. The residents of Anbar are now more concerned about securing their future (despite the best efforts of Al Qaeda, Congressman Murtha, and the MSM).
There are so many “lessons learned” from the war in Iraq that our military will be transformed. Obviously, it’s already begun with Gen Petraeus’ leadership.