Alas, what I wrote about that update back then can fairly suffice as commentary on the delusional update he presented last night – in his eighth “major speech” on Iraq; hence the groundhog days metaphor. Indeed, to demonstrate how utterly irrelevant everything Bush says about Iraq has become, here, in part, is what I wrote in that fateful article over two years ago:
…[I]t came as no surprise that last weekend 20 Americans were reported killed in Iraq amidst more car bombings, serial assassinations and general mayhem. It was instructive, however, to observe President Bush when he was asked how he thought things were going there. Because his answer suggests that he’s suffering from a variant strain of the Groundhog-day syndrome that characterizes the stalemate in Iraq.
After all, Bush replied without a hint of irony or repetition that “we’re routing out the terrorists…and enjoying tremendous success”. But this has been his unwavering refrain for almost 2 years now despite the mounting death toll of American soldiers and innocent Iraqis; and, even more alarming, despite frank admissions by his own generals that their war objectives have been plagued by unforeseen obstacles, not least of which is the deadly spectacle of erstwhile-friendly Iraqis turning on them.
Of course, I appreciate the apparent authority Bush assumed last night by citing the surge report of Army Gen. David H. Petraeus. In fact, I accept the general’s assertion that the surge has produced pockets of success in Iraq (eg in Anbar Province); notwithstanding attempts by the anti-Bush morons of MoveOn.org to besmirch Petraeus’ good name by calling him “General Betray Us”.
But no one ever doubted the military’s ability to pick off insurgent cells like matryoshka (Russian nesting) dolls. Instead, for the past four years the elusive challenge has been nation building in Iraq, and providing a clear vision on how this furthers US national security. On these critical points, however, Petraeus was silent in his report, and then demurred in his highly-anticipated Congressional testimony on Tuesday (9/11) that he is, in fact, clueless.
Indeed, apropos this, I am mindful that in 2005 Bush cited (Arabic-speaking) Lt. Gen David Abizaid as the man best suited to broker political reconciliation amongst resolutely-sectarian Iraqis. Because, even back then, Bush was acutely aware that establishing political stability in Iraq is sine qua non in vindicating the “Mission Accomplished” seal he had already stamped on America’s military misadventure in Iraq. And, we all know how well Abizaid fared in that political mission….
Therefore, making more delusional promises – based on this relatively-innocuous troop surge – will do nothing to help build an Iraq that can “govern itself, defend itself, and sustain itself”.
Yet, a sober determination must be made about what interest America has in untangling the web that Bush has woven this country into over in Iraq. After all, whether or not one considers the war as vital to America’s national security interest as Bush contends, there’s no denying America’s obligation, if not its categorical imperative, to honor the Pottery Barn (you break it, you own it) rule. And, America has broken Iraq….
Therefore, I submit that the only change of course worth considering now is the one I endorsed years ago – when “shock and awe” was the war jingle of the day. Namely, US military forces should execute the Powell Doctrine.
Specifically, instead of fiddling with timetables for withdrawing troops, Bush should deploy hundreds of thousands [ie, at least 500,000] of them to secure every nook and cranny of Iraq and enforce strict Martial Law. Because only under these prevailing conditions would it be possible to build the country’s infrastructure and democratic institutions, not to mention reconciling its political differences, to create an Iraq that can govern itself, defend itself and sustain itself.
(Incidentally, even if executed flawlessly, this will take decades; not the months or years being debated.)
Meanwhile, with this overwhelming military presence already in place, Bush could exploit the expedient collateral benefit of being able to launch air strikes (this time next year) to take out Iran’s nuclear program and / or enforce an embargo on its oil exports.
And what a boon this would be to Texas oil barons when the price of oil soars to $150 per barrel as a result! Not least because it would make it a lot easier for them to fulfil their end of the bargain to “replenish Bush’s coffers” when he leaves the White House….
Related Articles:
Groundhog days in Iraq…and in President Bush’s head
Support the Draft to prevent stupid wars
Iraq Study Group recommendations to “fix” Iraq
Bush will attack Iran to redeem his presidency
Gen David Petraeus, Iraq surge
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