The Historical Record on Afghanistan and Iraq

Victor davis hanson private papers ^ | 10/30/04 | Victor davis hansen

[rang1995]

The Historical Record on Afghanistan and Iraq What will be remembered? by Victor Davis Hanson San Francisco Chronicle

In the present chaos in Iraq, of course, the war's purpose and outcome seem clouded. But in five years, if we persevere, there will be a stable consensual government, and then both Iraq and Afghanistan will properly be seen as the anchors of a new Middle East, one whose democratic origins were fraught with controversy—as was (Ronald) Reagan's new bellicosity with the Soviet Union in the 1980s—but ultimately both successful and humane in eroding the fascistic landscape that fostered global terror and mass murder at home.

The three-week toppling of Saddam Hussein was brilliant. Its rocky aftermath reminds us that the ancient laws of war still prevail: Despite high technology and globalized communications, the degree of postbellum stability is directly proportionate to the sense of defeat, and, yes, humiliation, experienced by the enemy -- something not quite achieved since the 3rd Division never came down from Turkey into the Sunni triangle, that was thus left relatively untouched during the conventional war.

[rang1995]

this man knows of what he speaks

[af_vet_rr]

Very good article. It's pretty easy to focus on the little things, on the day-to-day stuff like the Marines killed yesterday, but this is something you really have to look in a "five years down the road" kind of way. If this works out, we'll have done more for peace in that region in less than 10 years, than has been done in the past 100.

[Tolik]

We can recite and lament the myriad subsequent mistakes -- tolerance for looting, unguarded borders, failure to keep intact the Iraqi army, arms depots not destroyed or too prominent a public presence of Americans. But error is the story of all wars; instead the key is to what degree were these lapses fatal to the overall cause of securing a democratic Iraq? So far, none of them need be.

We are in a postmodern age, where globalization, instant communication and the spread of moral equivalence make it hard to wage necessary wars against ogres like the Taliban or Saddam Hussein, since few believe in evil, much less of the need to eradicate it through force. The U.S. military not only must lose none of its own, but is expected to kill few of the enemy either—requisites almost impossible to satisfy.

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[King Prout]

thanks!

[IDontLikeToPayTaxes]

.......something not quite achieved since the 3rd Division never came down from Turkey into the Sunni triangle....

The 4th Infantry Division was the one that was supposed to come from the North, not the 3rd.

[rang1995]

add me, thanks!

[Tolik]

Added to the VDH ping list.

See the latest post: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1265095/posts

[Valin]

If this works out, we'll have done more for peace in that region in less than 10 years, than has been done in the past 100.


I'm always amazed at how many people (and sad to say some freepers) don't understand this is the real reason we went into Iraq. To attack the real root cause of Islamic terror, lack of freedom.

[af_vet_rr]

I'm always amazed at how many people (and sad to say some freepers) don't understand this is the real reason we went into Iraq. To attack the real root cause of Islamic terror, lack of freedom.

It's very true - radical Islam cannot function in a free and democratic society, because the majority of Islamics are not radical.

That is why they are so desperate. Some people act like the violence in Iraq is random, but it's far from random. They are targeting the Iraqi police, Iraqi National Guard, and Iraqi bureaucrats, the very people who are charged with rebuilding Iraq into a democracy.