Iraq: Rumors Fly, the Truth Walks (3/18/02)
by Dean Hartwell
One of the biggest
rumors about the Bush Administration is that we will soon attack Iraq. The
truth is that attacking them would be a poor idea.
Yes, the idea of someone other than Saddam Hussein in charge of Iraq appeals to
everyone outside of that nation. We might even succeed in setting up a puppet
government favorable to our interests of inspections of weapons sites and cheap
oil.
But the risks far outweigh even this rosy scenario. First of all, there is no
drumbeat of support among the nations in the Middle East to remove Hussein. As
Prince Salman of Bahrain told Vice-President Cheney recently, "the people
who are dying today" are dying from Israeli and Palestinian actions.
Hussein has killed many people, but simply hasn't commanded much attention
lately from those he typically threatens.
Indeed, there is much more regional interest in solutions to the
Israel-Palestine conflict. Israel, who might otherwise support a strike on
Iraq, is too busy with this problem to help us. Other possible supporters, like
Saudi Arabia, are suggesting peace proposals for Israel and Palestine. In
short, we will have to carry this attack out with little support.
Furthermore, our experience in battling Iraq in Desert Storm tells us that
removing Hussein will not likely involve his surrender. Instead, we will have
to take on his Republican Guard and search for him in underground bunkers. This
fight could cost us many casualties.
Even if we do succeed in ousting Hussein and replacing him, the people of Iraq
may not support our choice. Unless we manage to kill all of Hussein's family
and close supporters, the possibility of retaliation would loom over the new
leader and against the United States.
As is usually the case when a nation must make a decision, we must confront
conflicting truths: the truth of Hussein's evil deeds versus the truth that we
would initiate the attack for political purposes. We should look to history for
guidance. The United States has never bombed or invaded a nation to bring about
democracy.
Right now, if we really care about Iraq and its neighbors, the latter is the
truth that matters.