China Gloats as Beijing Buys Iraq

As is often the case with noble purposes, the results do not meet expectations. What China might do two decades later was not part of the calculus in the US and its allies taking down the Iraqi army and freeing the Iraqi people. The US invasion and liberation of Iraq in March 2003 lasted 21 days, ending on April 9, when Saddam Hussein’s brutal regime collapsed and major combat engagements for US and partner forces stopped. Twenty years later, pundits and perfect-hindsight-seers heap criticism on America for either bungling Operation Iraqi Freedom or for starting it in the first place.

How Much Are Americans Paying? However, some believe the absence of a US military stationed in Iraq has opened wide the door for a Chinese economic and political presence that will prove inimical to US interests. Gloating over what it says is a “brighter future with Chinese companies’ efforts,” Global Times, the CCP’s propaganda mouthpiece, asserts: “For these Chinese constructors, this is much more than just a job opportunity or business project but is a chance to make a meaningful contribution to the local people who have gone through the pain of war.” However, the Muslim Uighurs in the north-western region of Xinjiang, China, who have felt the genocidal persecution of the CCP’s iron hand, might have a different view.

By way of background, remembering what US and coalition forces did in freeing Iraqis from a vicious dictator is helpful. Former Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz described in a meaningful way in testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee what US and coalition intervention in Iraq meant to the Iraqi people. Wolfowitz quoted an Iraqi blogger on the first free election day the country had seen for decades:

That it would be interpreted as 9/1! WAs aN INsID# j0B!@!! by some of the Harvey Dryballs crowd.

I didn't take it that way. I took it at (its apparent) face value that it meant that was the reason we went to war. Apparently you didn't mean it that way either.

I was for the Iraq war when it started, because I thought that since it would be run by a Bush, ...

I was for it at first too, but not because Bush was the Pres. Because I DID give a crap that they targeted our pilots 42k times.

Because I gave a crap that Saddam tried to assassinate a U.S. Pres. even though I hated that jerk when he was in office.

Because we did promise to protect the Marsh Arabs, who I don't give a crap about, and Saddam murdered them anyway.

All the things that mean nothing to you in addition to not caring less about the Kurds.

And, FWIW, I ceased being for that war when it went beyond the fall of Baghdad and the destruction of the Iraqi army. Nation building is BS, I agree on that. We crushed him and his army and that was enough. Should have left then and let the ruins smoke.

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