Iraq Progress Contradicts Media Portrayal

Without a doubt, the media’s gregariousness has not subsided. In order to make Barack H. Obama an untouchable, inspired messiah, the unanimity of correct thought must now take responsibility for the ambiguities and gaps. However, Obama’s predictabilities, presumptions and indecisive personality are influencing his downfall in American opinion, and, in addition, his party risks big losses in the upcoming midterm elections in November. His nightmare might also accompany the vindication of George W. Bush’s foreign policy.

Without nuance, Bush was presented by his opponents as the paragon of foolishness. Indeed, as the United States leaves Iraq as planned (“I announce that the combat mission in Iraq is finished,” declared President Obama tonight), pacifists are not tallying up the points from this war. The followers of “soft power” — i.e. those with their heads in the sand — foretold unrest in the Arab world, civil war, the partitioning of Iraq, Vietnamization of the conflict, al-Qaida victory, etc. Actually, if the country remains weak, then a democracy has indeed taken the place of a bloody dictatorship. I am delighted about that.

Iraq’s governmental instability and the resurgence of certain attacks remain the negative points of a conflict that strengthened Iran and also cost many human lives (4,500 allied soldiers killed, overwhelmingly American; close to 100,000 civilian victims from attacks). However, Iraq now enjoys pluralism of the press, parties express themselves without obstacles, women stand up and make themselves heard and elections are held freely. In yesterday’s Le Figaro, Boris Boillon, French Ambassador to Baghdad, asserts that al-Qaida is retreating and is comprised of not more than 2,000 men. He especially believes that “the Iraqis appreciate the fruit of democratization … it is absolutely necessary that when we speak about Iraq, we should reason without an ideology. Iraq is a testing ground for democracy in the Arab world. A future of democracy will play out in the region. Potentially, Iraq can become a political model for its neighbors.”

Admittedly, history can’t change, but these new advances would not have taken place without Bush or his neoconservative advisors. Would it have been right to leave the Iraqis under a false secular tyrant? It’s up to them to respond, but I doubt they regret it.