POST SCRIPTS

2. The USS Cole, Khyber Towers, Saddam expelling inspectors out of the country, as well as many other incidents were perpetrated in part because the Middle East, from dictator to terrorist believed that the United States would retreat under fire. They came to this belief because of the fall of the Shah, the Beirut Barracks bombing, Somalia etc. and the subsequent reaction or lack of reaction from the west and specifically the US. The United States desperately needed to demonstrate that it would not accept this characterization and the terrorism that followed as a result. Iraq presented the best method for demonstrating this new stance, and producing a comprehensive rather than a temporary solution to the overriding problem.

3. Iraq presented the best option for the following reasons: 1. demographically there were disaffected groups which could be used to undermine Saddam. 2. Religion wise the Iraqi people are far more secular than others in the region. 3. A history of aggression against its Arab neighbors, and against the US directly. 4. it’s geographical position, and natural wealth meant that in the post war it had the best opportunity to be self sufficient economically and provide a military barrier against Radical Iran as well as providing an example of a successful Arab nation governed by the rule of law rather than the whims of a dictator.

We should continue our efforts in Iraq because a representative government governed by the rule of law in the Arab world is the best chance at a comprehensive solution to our problems in the Middle East. In order for us to be successful we have to understand that we are in an idealist yet practical struggle against a new and frightening form of fascism.

To this point I will concede, describing this war as a “war on terror” is a misnomer. Stating that we can “win” a war on terror is also a misrepresentation. We are in a war against radical Islamic fascism. Once more, there will always be radical Islamic fascists. If you determine victory as destroying every one of them, you can never “win” the war in the nature of that words traditional meaning. What you can do is win the important battles in this war, which will degrade Islamic fascism, to the same pathetic and insignificant level of that as those who still purport to support Hitler. These important battles are Iraq, Afghanistan, and a hundred other places throughout the world.

This notion that we can end this war is ridiculous. Wars end, but they are never “ended” by nations. Nations can merely win wars, loose wars, and fight wars. Nations as powerful as ours choose to loose, our hand is not forced by our enemies.

In the debate to follow I will demonstrate that fighting in Iraq was the right thing to do, morally, strategically, legally and politically. How we have fought it can and should be a constant source of debate, but the left wing notion that we should choose to loose this war shows a misunderstanding of history and the culture of our enemy. A misunderstanding, which we cannot afford.