thedrifter
11-12-07, 03:14 PM
November 12, 2007, 4:00 a.m.
Benevolent Victors
Iraq veterans earn thanks.
By Kurtis Wheeler
As we pause to remember and appreciate all of our veterans, there is special cause to give thanks to our most recent cohort — those who have served in Iraq. The American public has been steadfast in its support for the servicemen and women of Operation Iraqi Freedom. It recognizes the bravery and selflessness of these troops, and is conscious of the difficulty of the mission. Yet, until recently, what was being accomplished, in the larger sense of American national interests, wasn’t clear to many outside of the war zone. Much of the post-Saddam phase of the war has ostensibly been a matter of “keeping the lid on,” rather than moving forward. Recent events and reporting, however, indicate that this status quo is beginning to change.
An October 26, 2007 piece in the Christian Science Monitor entitled “Al Qaeda reveals signs of weakness,” and an accompanying oped piece by Professor Fawaz A. Gerges, entitled “Osama bin Laden’s growing anxiety,” point to the growing global impact on al Qaeda initiated by the Iraq war. Sickened by the ruthless and violent tactics of al-Qaeda in Iraq, (AQI) insurgents, local leaders, and ordinary Iraqi citizens have switched allegiances, and are now actively supporting U.S. forces to rid their areas of AQI. During my 2006-7 tour in Iraq as a Field Historian for the Marine Corps History Division, I was privileged to watch this trend grow in the Al Anbar province. Active support for U.S. forces now predominates in that region, and is quickly spreading to other parts of Iraq. One could easily argue that the trend is even having global implications. The Monitor article quotes Evan Kohlmann, an expert on jihadi movements, “Iraq was Al Qaeda’s greatest achievement and its greatest failure. At one time they were riding high from what was happening in Iraq… that time has come and gone.” He continues, “…they’ve been revealed for what they are.”
The stark contrast between American fighting men and women, and al-Qaeda operatives, has been the key to “revealing” AQI’s nature. Despite the well-publicized exceptions, U.S. forces have operated with an unparalleled degree of restraint, mercy, and professionalism. They have consistently professed their desire to help Iraqis rebuild and create stability, in order to turn areas over to local leaders and local security forces. By 2006, Iraqis began to note that American actions reliably matched its stated goals. They recognized that U.S. forces were more constructive and reliable partners than AQI. That recognition created the foundation for the progress in Iraq’s security situation that we see today. While the current cohort of warriors may also rate as one of the most effective in history in their martial skills, it is their judgment and compassion that may turn out to be the most decisive factor in the War on Terror. Critics may attack our Iraq policies at the highest levels, but at the human level our troops have been the greatest ambassadors for the real meaning of America. Neighborhood by neighborhood, and person by person, they have demonstrated our commitment to tolerance, justice, and peace. The humanity of our individual Marines and soldiers, offers a sharp contrast to the barbarity of al -Qaeda… and that may be our greatest weapon in the War on Terror.
Thanks to our Iraq veterans for all they have done and continue to do.
— Lieutenant Colonel Kurt Wheeler is a field historian for the Marine Corps History Division. He deployed to Iraq during 2006-2007 to document the efforts of Marine forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The opinions herein are his alone and should not be construed as those of the United States Marine Corps or Department of Defense.
Ellie
Benevolent Victors
Iraq veterans earn thanks.
By Kurtis Wheeler
As we pause to remember and appreciate all of our veterans, there is special cause to give thanks to our most recent cohort — those who have served in Iraq. The American public has been steadfast in its support for the servicemen and women of Operation Iraqi Freedom. It recognizes the bravery and selflessness of these troops, and is conscious of the difficulty of the mission. Yet, until recently, what was being accomplished, in the larger sense of American national interests, wasn’t clear to many outside of the war zone. Much of the post-Saddam phase of the war has ostensibly been a matter of “keeping the lid on,” rather than moving forward. Recent events and reporting, however, indicate that this status quo is beginning to change.
An October 26, 2007 piece in the Christian Science Monitor entitled “Al Qaeda reveals signs of weakness,” and an accompanying oped piece by Professor Fawaz A. Gerges, entitled “Osama bin Laden’s growing anxiety,” point to the growing global impact on al Qaeda initiated by the Iraq war. Sickened by the ruthless and violent tactics of al-Qaeda in Iraq, (AQI) insurgents, local leaders, and ordinary Iraqi citizens have switched allegiances, and are now actively supporting U.S. forces to rid their areas of AQI. During my 2006-7 tour in Iraq as a Field Historian for the Marine Corps History Division, I was privileged to watch this trend grow in the Al Anbar province. Active support for U.S. forces now predominates in that region, and is quickly spreading to other parts of Iraq. One could easily argue that the trend is even having global implications. The Monitor article quotes Evan Kohlmann, an expert on jihadi movements, “Iraq was Al Qaeda’s greatest achievement and its greatest failure. At one time they were riding high from what was happening in Iraq… that time has come and gone.” He continues, “…they’ve been revealed for what they are.”
The stark contrast between American fighting men and women, and al-Qaeda operatives, has been the key to “revealing” AQI’s nature. Despite the well-publicized exceptions, U.S. forces have operated with an unparalleled degree of restraint, mercy, and professionalism. They have consistently professed their desire to help Iraqis rebuild and create stability, in order to turn areas over to local leaders and local security forces. By 2006, Iraqis began to note that American actions reliably matched its stated goals. They recognized that U.S. forces were more constructive and reliable partners than AQI. That recognition created the foundation for the progress in Iraq’s security situation that we see today. While the current cohort of warriors may also rate as one of the most effective in history in their martial skills, it is their judgment and compassion that may turn out to be the most decisive factor in the War on Terror. Critics may attack our Iraq policies at the highest levels, but at the human level our troops have been the greatest ambassadors for the real meaning of America. Neighborhood by neighborhood, and person by person, they have demonstrated our commitment to tolerance, justice, and peace. The humanity of our individual Marines and soldiers, offers a sharp contrast to the barbarity of al -Qaeda… and that may be our greatest weapon in the War on Terror.
Thanks to our Iraq veterans for all they have done and continue to do.
— Lieutenant Colonel Kurt Wheeler is a field historian for the Marine Corps History Division. He deployed to Iraq during 2006-2007 to document the efforts of Marine forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The opinions herein are his alone and should not be construed as those of the United States Marine Corps or Department of Defense.
Ellie