Meet “The Iraqi”
I’ve known this man for several years. A native Iraqi, he has friends throughout Iraq and the Middle East. Last January, prior to the Iraqi election, I asked him to contribute a post to this blog, but he demurred. He would still send me comments about the Arab press, perceptions of US politics, and reports of what was going on in his home town. (I won’t name the town, but I can say I have visited it. Folks don’t realize that there are indeed many pleasant places in Iraq. When the place is blessed with peace, I intend to go back as a tourist.)
But a few days ago–right after the bombings at Sharm el-Sheikh– I asked The Iraqi if he’d consider a contribution. Here’s what he sent me. His English is stellar. He writes with heart and passion that is fired and tempered by direct experience. I hope this will be the first of many contributions. For what it’s worth, I hope The Iraqi’s example will encourage The Aussie, The Marine, and The Green Beret to send me a post. It’s time, gents, for you guys to get back into the battle.
I asked my friend “Where is Iraq going?”
Here’s The Iraqi’s first post:
Where is Iraq going?
Right now a defensible answer is civil war and a lawless and extreme society with local militias and sectarian lords.
With violence unabating and Iraqi security forces not up to par yet with the level and agility of terrorists, Baghdad is still living with daily explosions, electricity, water and fuel shortages, add to that the normal 110 F Iraqi 5-month summer and an abnormally long dust storms that clouded the city this summer
Did we cheer the removal of Saddam Hussein for this?
City dwelling Iraqis are one of 3 Middle East Arab countries (Others are Egypt and Lebanon) where societies in big cities are tolerant, moderate and highly educated.
Iraqis aspire for a secular, democratic and non-militarized nation where every single citizen is treated equally by the law.
They are in bad need of a tranquil period to rethink, recalibrate and reassess their options and critical issues after being punished by 26 years of dictatorship including 10 years of World sanctions, 2 wars and 2 years of thuggery and insecurity, these combined to damage the image/role of government in Iraqi eyes and the rights/responsibilities of citizens in a civilized modern society.
Most Iraqis do not belong to a party and prefer to stay independent, providing security and food on the table for their families is priority 1 at this stage
Sunnis see themselves as the guarantor of Iraq’s unity and in a sense that is what they did since independence in 1921 till the fall of the monarchy in 1958, they secured Mosul as part of Iraq, became a founding member of the League of Nations and League of Arab nations and shared with Shias, Kurds and even Jews ministerial posts in the Iraqi governments.They look suspiciously at the Kurdish rising separatism signs and despise shia’s often exaggerated ties to Iran, though they seem to heed the lessons of the January 2005 elections and want to participate in shaping the future of Iraq.
Only dialog and respect for their moderate figures like Adnan Alduleimi of the National Dialog Council and Muhsin Abdulhamid of the Iraqi Islamic Party will insure their active participation until a more tranquil time for real liberal Sunni forces to emerge and/or join forces with secular parties and movements.
Failing to provide security and order in Sunni areas was the main reason of non-participation in elections; Iraq cannot afford another election without full participation of all colors of that Iraqi spectrum.So where is Iraq heading? I’m an optimist and tend to look at longer spans of time to find an answer to that question, and based on the recent history I can say that Iraq is on the way to be a secular and democratic country just because all sides involved know there is no other way for their aspirations to materialize and other options are too bleak to even think about.
Thank you, sir, for your thoughts.
Thanks for this comment. I’m praying for the Iraqi people. THeir success is ALL of our success.
Comment by Matt — 7/27/2005 @ 8:37 pm
I hope Iraq succeeds because life is not worth living if you are not free to live it. Thanks to all who have sacrificed. My God Bless You!!!
Comment by Lori Dattilo — 7/27/2005 @ 8:41 pm
I very rarely comment on anything but your friends thoughts on where Iraq is going makes me think that the major media just do not understand that no matter what religion or what country, men are men and want a good fair civil society to raise a family and enjoy life. I can only add my wishes to his countrymens and many others around the world that Iraq settles down soon and becomes the society that everyone hopes and prays for.
Comment by Curtis — 7/27/2005 @ 8:43 pm
Well, so when are the Iraqis gonna get off of their duff and kick the crap out of the loonies that are doing eveything to hi-jack Iraq? I know many are volunteering and providing valuable services; I just don’t get the feeling that the rank and file citizen is onboard with eradicating the bastards that are attempting to not only strangle Iraq, but to put a Islamic black mark on world history.
Comment by Frank — 7/27/2005 @ 8:49 pm
Interesting Thuggery, violence and the necessity of provding for family life prohibits the development of party politics. Given the factionalization that comes with it, a prolonged estrangement from tools or instruments like these, pressuring the country forward ioin forging a loyalty to the nation and a positive identiy may not be so negative. It may enhance patriotic survival. That’s no small achievement - if that’s what comes. However, it is sad that the room for rest and reflection the people deserve after having endured so much for so long leave this American mournful. They deserve better. Even post-communist Eastern Europe got such a break.
Comment by Orson Olson — 7/27/2005 @ 8:49 pm
I greatly appreciate this Iraqi’s comments. Though somewhat bleak, I have to believe it reflects the sentiments of a great many more secular Iraqis. I wonder if Iraq is fully prepared for a future that may long endure sporadic terrorist activity. (I wonder if we are likewise prepared.)) Israel has endured it, and it strikes me that determined fanatical elements, funded, supplied and succored from wealthy benefactors, might keep this game in play for a long time. The only real alternatives involve to what degree you fight, or how much you surrender. Here’s a prayer for the strength and resilience of Iraqis to maintain the fight. The same prayer double for us in America.
Comment by Dadmanly — 7/27/2005 @ 8:51 pm
I cannot begin to imagine the agony that a thoughtful and reasonable person such as the Iraqi seems to be must have gone through, and must be going through, as they watch their country endure so much repression, violence, and destruction. How ironic that the liberation from a murderous dictator has degenerated into this vicious campaign of terror and intimidation, when, if they could only find and support a non-violent figure similar to a Ghandi or Rev. King, the US and its allies would be overjoyed to negotiate a political settlement and speedy withdrawal. Islam, if it truly wishes to be recognized as a religion of peace, needs to find its peaceful center, and draw upon that faith-based tranquility for inspiration in its dealings with the rest of a very diverse world. If that center cannot be found, or does not exist, then I am not as optimistic as our Iraqi correspondent.
Comment by veryretired — 7/27/2005 @ 8:54 pm
I stumbled across this post and was struck by the Iraq’s view that “they are in bad need of a tranquil period.” It struck me because it seemed to dovetail very neatly with Kenneth Pollack’s testimony in front of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last week. Pollack argues that the United States should back off of offensive actions against the insurgency and adopt “traditional” counterinsurgency tactics. First and foremost, Pollack argues, we need to develop parts of Iraq that are truly safe and secure, not just from the insurgency but also serious crime. Presumably, reconstruction can proceed apace in these secure zones, the economy will improve, and security can then be handed over almost entirely to Iraqis. We then expand these secure zones like an “ink blot.” I’d like to see more knowledgeable bloggers than me respond to Pollack, or endorse him.
Comment by TigerHawk — 7/27/2005 @ 9:02 pm
A nice commentary. I wish there was a magic wand to wave and peace and security would fall over Baghdad. I also wish that more Iraqis who yearn for the good old days would realize how they were played by Saddam and his thugocracy. Baghdad had electricity 24/7, but other cities were lucky to have it an hour a day. For some reason you don’t hear many Shia or Kurds talking about how great it used to be.
Comment by Chuck Simmins — 7/27/2005 @ 9:04 pm
Does this guy work for the NYT?
Comment by Farlow — 7/27/2005 @ 10:18 pm
If you are still in contact with the Iraqi, could you ask him a question? What, in his opinion, is the number one priority that we in the US could do to help Iraq become a secular and democratic country?
Comment by jmaster — 7/27/2005 @ 10:25 pm
100 years from now brave Iraqis will be remembered as those that fought against the uncertianties of the future. 26 years of sadistic torture is enough to mar anyones psyche’ I salute all the countrymen standing up against all odds to fight for what they believe in. Although never pretty, as proven thoroughout history establishing a democracy is the only way to a peaceful society.
Comment by Thunderstixx — 7/27/2005 @ 10:45 pm
When someone writes “other options are too bleak to even think about.”, you know it’s wishful thinking.
Comment by Tim L — 7/27/2005 @ 11:12 pm
Well done Austin for getting this mature Sunni voice to give us his view. It takes little imagination to work out what the Sunni rejectionists are thinking, but we hear very little about the Sunni population that we know is well educated and suffering. The grim optimism of this piece is encouraging.
Comment by lgude — 7/27/2005 @ 11:45 pm
Morning Quarters War on Terror THE TERRORISTS’ LITTLE HELPER: JUDGE JOHN COUGHENOUR — Michelle Malkin Reckless judicial arrogance was on display in Seattle earlier today during the sentencing hearing for al Qaeda operative Ahmed Ressam, the would-be Millennium bomber…
Trackback by The Indepundit — 7/27/2005 @ 11:48 pm
If moderate liberal Sunnis are waiting for a tranquil time in Iraq in order to fully participate, they are perpetuating mass murder. They are the ones responsible by their nonparticipation for the slide into civil war. Waiting won’t cut it. They have to act to de-legitimize the murdering terrorists in their midst. Otherwise they are all going to die and never understand why.
Comment by Rodney Moore — 7/28/2005 @ 6:51 am
Iraqi’s first post, It would be useful for the Iraqi to indicate his background. He is obviously Sunni, and as such has the usual Sunni complaints. The Sunni have to be dragged, kicking and screaming into the modern world. Note that after implying that Saddam would have been preferable to the current conditions, he reluctantly says that democracy is on the way. It would be interesting to read Kurd and Shia comments on what is going on. They will give a more optimistic reply.
Comment by Ray — 7/28/2005 @ 8:15 am
The comment about taking the route of establishing safe zones and letting the rest of the country boil (the “ink blot” post above) ignores the fact that Baghdad is the most violent area. I suspect that the next step will be greater efforts at interdiction of the rat lines into Syria and , maybe, Iran. That may include hot pursuit. I would be surprised if some of that was not in place already. We have to cut the “Ho Chi MInh Trail” into Syria.
Comment by Michael Kennedy — 7/28/2005 @ 10:19 am
Iraqis aspire for a secular, democratic and non-militarized nation where every single citizen is treated equally by the law. “aspire” will not do the trick. I have no doubt that most Iraqis aspire for any number of reasonable things, but there are those who fight and kill for something completely different. “Iraqis would rather die than live under dictatorship or theocracy” would be more like it, but, regrettably, it doesn’t seem to be true.
Comment by Randall — 7/28/2005 @ 11:16 am
#19. Iraqis DO aspire to a secular, democratic and non-militarized nation, where every single citizen is treated equally under the law. Such aspirations are in accord with the plans laid out by Baha’u'llah, the Exile from Iran, Who spent 10 years under house-arrest in Baghdad during the early years of His dispensation. “From 2 ranks amongst mankind have I seized power… kings and ecclesiastics!” “I have given POWER to THE PEOPLE,” said Baha’u'llah, the Lord of Hosts.
Comment by Carridine — 7/28/2005 @ 10:49 pm