9.07.2004
Baath Party today - and Lincoln
Hannah Allam of Knight-Ridder gives a chilling report of a Baathist resurgence in Iraq. She speaks of a well-funded, close-nit, highly secretive and large organization of Iraqis who are hell-bent and intent upon diluting the fledgling government of Iraq. According to Allam, the Baathists have deeply infiltrated the interim government, and they offer good money for violent acts against American forces (burning a Humvee = "a few hundred dollars"; killing a soldier = "at least $1000).
[A] 52-year-old professor, who did not want his name used, said his American colleagues mistakenly believed that Saddam's capture in December was the end of the Baathist movement in Iraq. Instead, he continued, that's just when party members in Iraq started reconciling with powerful Baathists in Damascus, Syria, and Amman, Jordan.
Our venture into Iraq may be more difficult and fraught with deeper consequences than we could have known. However, the fact warfare - both militarily and politically - may seem intractible and insurmountable is no excuse to abandon a worthwhile, correct strategy.
I am sure Abraham Lincoln was none too pleased with developments by the winter of 1862. It would have been easy to give up the ghost at that juncture - just give in to the south's military success and to the awful political pressure he faced at home. What would our world be like today?
[A] 52-year-old professor, who did not want his name used, said his American colleagues mistakenly believed that Saddam's capture in December was the end of the Baathist movement in Iraq. Instead, he continued, that's just when party members in Iraq started reconciling with powerful Baathists in Damascus, Syria, and Amman, Jordan.
Our venture into Iraq may be more difficult and fraught with deeper consequences than we could have known. However, the fact warfare - both militarily and politically - may seem intractible and insurmountable is no excuse to abandon a worthwhile, correct strategy.
I am sure Abraham Lincoln was none too pleased with developments by the winter of 1862. It would have been easy to give up the ghost at that juncture - just give in to the south's military success and to the awful political pressure he faced at home. What would our world be like today?
// posted by HunterByrd @ 4:02 PM 
