The American "Sacrifice" for Iraq

The U.S. announced that it was prepared to extend the presence of its forces in Iraq beyond 2011, sparking debate in Iraqi political circles concerning the advantages of such a move, particularly in light of the American withdrawal that both nations had agreed upon. The terrible explosions that Iraq witnessed a few days ago could only have occurred in a situation in which many parties are striving to keep the Americans in Iraq, not to mention the American interests that seek to extend the American presence in Iraq. Although we cannot be certain that these parties were behind the explosions, we can certainly say that they benefit from the nation’s fragile security situation.

The Iraqi government and many of the forces seeking to rescind the American withdrawal are mistaken in their calculations for reasons relating to the stability of security in Iraq. Security will not return through foreign hands — for those who sought to destroy Iraq will not seek to rebuild it in accordance with what is best for Iraq, but with what is best for America. We all know this and have seen it all over the world.

The focus of many Iraqi parties on consolidating power and security in their own hands leads to political problems, which are invariably translated to the streets as security threats or worse. Statements from Iraqi forces opposed to an American military presence have warned of as much, some going so far as to state that after 2011 the American army will be considered an enemy force that must be confronted.