Thomas Friedman says we need to double troop strength in Iraq. Is it really that bad?
All typical moaning about pre-war intelligence and strategy aside, Iraq is in trouble. Despite President Bush’s insistence that things are improving, people keep dying. The elections happened two months ago and it seems Iraqis are no closer to peaceful rule of law by democratically elected officials.
Friedman hits the main point: “we are training Iraqi soldiers by the battalions, but I don't think this is the key. Who is training the insurgent-fascists? Nobody. And yet they are doing daily damage to U.S. and Iraqi forces. Training is overrated.”
The problem, he says, is leadership. The terrorists have al-Zarqawi. The American forces have a sense of purpose and a passionate belief in democracy and freedom (and an elected president). What do those Iraqi soldiers have to motivate them?
This is the crux of Mr. Bush’s “democracy by brigade” SNAFU. Democracy isn’t established by fiat or by force. Without a galvanizing leader backed up by overwhelming force and the trust of the people, Iraq will not “work.”
Democracy takes flight much like Peter Pan – it takes a happy thought and an unwavering belief that it will work.
Aside from Mr. Bush, I don’t see a whole lot of belief out there.
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