Maybe It Was a Turning Point
It seems the common talking point from the left that though killing Zarqawi was more or less a good thing it’s not going to be seen as the “turning point” in the war for Iraqi democracy.
I certainly agree with them. It won’t be the turning point in this phase of the war simply because wars really don’t have a single turning point. They have several that, over time, weigh down the vanquished until they either surrender or are crushed. The course of a war isn’t like a motorcycle that can pivot around quickly and go the other direction in a snap. It’s far more like a tanker ship that requires room to turn and many points at which that turn must be confirmed and reinforced. No, killing Zarqawi in the way we did won’t be the one thing that swings the country onto firm ground.
But it is a turning point, perhaps the largest one yet. It is a big deal when you can find and kill the field commander of the largest enemy you face, especially when there isn’t anyone with nearly his experience to take his place. We have done that.
More importantly, I think, is that killing Zarqawi is a huge turning point in the “hearts and minds” aspect of the war. Now, critics can feel free to pooh-pooh this if they want, but there’s at least one man who has turned, and he’s not been shy about telling us all.
Although everybody knows that I am against the U.S. occupation to Iraq, I believe what they did in helping the Iraqis kill Zarqawi was a good real step for a better Iraq after three years of destruction and struggle. It’s only now that I feel the US forces are really serious and want to get rid of the terrorists who came as a reaction to their occupation to the country in a way or another. It’s only now I felt that they really want to accomplish their mission and go back home soon. I really hope that what I am feeling is right.
When I saw Maliki in the conference, I wished I could shake his hands to thank him and tell him how I want his government to be strong. I have a feeling that this man is really serious in taking Iraq to the safe side. I really feel that he is doing his best to do a better job than the ones preceded him. Killing Zarqawi is a good omen that Maliki’s government is no longer silent.
It occurred to me that this time, Maliki and the U.S. officials did not let us down when the criminal Zarqawi appeared on TV in his latest video that provoked all Iraqis. They all said his days are numbered and they will get him dead or alive and they did. Thank you all. Afiya [good job]…
A turning point indeed.
(h/t: McQ)
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Category: Fighting the Islamists
