I believe that Americans, at heart, are good people. They care about their families and their neighbors. They worry about the planet and its stewardship, and they’re concerned about our relationship with the rest of the world.
They want to do the right thing, always — so it’s no surprise that there’s national anguish about the war in Iraq.
There are people who feel that, because we were misled into Iraq, we should admit the mistake and remove ourselves from the equation. They argue that our continued presence there is undermining Iraq’s ability to get on its own feet and take charge of the catastrophe in their country, and that the war in Iraq is immoral.
Individuals who believe this are not evil or anti-American. They care profoundly about this country, the world, and our combined futures.
On the other hand, there are people who believe that we had to enter Iraq as part of the war on terrorism. They see our engagement there as crucial, both in terms of a global war and American credibility. Furthermore, their position is that we are committed to Iraq as part of a larger goal, and must stay until victory is won.
Like those who demand withdrawal, these folks are also patriotic. They want what’s best for all concerned.
As is so often the case, both sides of the debate have merit, and they’re also flawed.
Our problem is not one of patriotism, but clarity. The debate is focused on the wrong country, because at this point, any victory achieved will be Iraq’s, not the United States’.
We’ve been discussing our victory and goals instead of theirs. No wonder we’re having trouble agreeing on exit strategies and timetables; they’re based on ballot-box victories in November, not peace or unification in Iraq.
Whatever the initial justifications, “our” war ultimately was to remove Saddam Hussein from power and help Iraq set up a new government. We’ve done that, and everything from that line forward can only be understood as Iraq’s struggle; our actions can only be defended as a moral duty to assist them.
This is Iraq’s war, and it is not ours to win or lose; it’s their’s.