IRAQ

Baghdad Comes Alive

For the first time in years, the Iraqi capital is showing signs of life. But the calm is all too fragile, and it's an opportunity the government cannot afford to miss.

By Rod Nordland | NEWSWEEK
From the magazine issue dated Nov 26, 2007

« Return to Article

Discuss

Member Comments

  • Posted By: Leopold Veruma @ 08/22/2008 4:15:26 PM

    The style of the author here perfectly depicts the whole... atmosphere in Iraq. No doubt, it is "some progress". An example, that again (yes, again) we made a mistake - one of many - and learnt nothing.

  • Posted By: freethinking @ 02/04/2008 1:41:32 PM

    It is clear that in Iraq the influence of Iran is less important, so less attacks. Maybe, I hope so, that the fighting parties in Iraq have been able to uderstand that killing each other is not an option for the futere. But what about Afghanistan ? First the talibans were destroyed in 2003. Now, they detain half the country under their influence, especailly by night. The production and traffic in opium in Afghanistan is on its pre-war level of 2003. The traffic of opium is financing the talibans, that is not a secret I hope.

  • Posted By: dchappy@hotmail.com @ 12/03/2007 10:55:47 AM

    YES, Apachejock , PatriotAmerican32 YOU ARE 100% COORECT, KILL KILL AND KILL THESE MUSLIMS WHETHER SUNNI OR SHIA WHAT DOES IT MATTER NO COUNTRY IN THIS WORLD HAD THIS FREEDOM TO KILL AND KILL EXCEPT WE THE BLOOD HOUND AMERICANS BUSH PARTY . KILL THIESE MUSLIM BASTARDS AND TAKE THE POSSESSION OF THE SWEET OIL OF IRAQ WHY NOT KILL THIS BASTARD MALIKE TOO HE IS A SNAKE MAY ALSO BIT US. D C HAPPY

  • Posted By: PatriotAmerican32 @ 11/24/2007 11:53:13 AM

    I love how they stick in "Iranian-Made Bombs" to brainwash us all. It's curious that Saudi Arabia is responsible for the majority of roadside bombs, and our own U.S. military is now saying 60% of foreign militants are from Libya and Saudi Arabia. Oh, oops, silly me, I forgot that Saudi Arabia is our ally, so how could that possibly be true?

  • Posted By: Thought from the World @ 11/20/2007 8:31:02 AM

    GWBasher, opinions are good to hear. But why do I keeping hearing people try to say "The only people out there with the big mouths and no balls are people [like t9900] who are cowards and are back seat warriors." So the only ones that can support the war effort are politicians and non-military?
    I'm in and I think that the effort in Iraq is going good. Its benefitting the American people as it is the Iraqi people, in a positive way. I do agree, it was not handled in the best manner to start with, but little ever does work on the ground like it did on paper. Although, I will never call an American that wants the troops to come home no-patriotic. That is what I expect from the American people...that is what is has always been. Vietnam the exception, those rally cries for the trrops make them feel good stepping off the plane. But that doesn't mean what is being done in Iraq isn't succeeding.

    • Posted By: angelus1967 @ 11/20/2007 12:32:17 PM

      I have a question fo ryou. How exactly is the war in Iraq benefitting the American people? Just curious.

      • Posted By: Apachejock @ 11/23/2007 8:47:33 PM

        Why does this war have to benefit America? Selfless sacrifice is why I, my brothers in Arms, and my own two sons serve - serving not just America, but all the oppressed of the world. We don't care about the political squabbles or motives involved by those selling their souls for seats in Congress. We care about Mercy, Hope, Liberty, and Justice for all. CW4 Pat Rourke

      • Posted By: NWuser @ 11/20/2007 2:01:21 PM

        Hey Angelus

        Is it possible that a free market and individual freedoms for the Iraqi people will make the entire region see what it is that makes America great? Japan, Germany, and others that have tasted freedom (provided by the lives of those in US uniforms) tend to be our friends. Listen, I don???t like war, but when we win, we always leave people free, and better off than they were before...

        • Posted By: cmicah6:8 @ 11/20/2007 9:43:12 PM

          "When we win we always leave people free." Please! .

          The Bush administration and the neo-conservative foreign policy is to use military force to project American hegemony around the world. Of course they use words like "political and economic freedom". Iraq was a good place to start. It was run by a rogue dictator, and it sits on one of the largest known oil reserves in the world. Read the White Paper named "Rebuilding America's Defenses: Strategy, Forces and Resources for a New Century" produced by the Project for the New American Century. In 1997, it was sent to Bill Clinton by the a bunch of neo-conservatists who believe the U.S. needs to establish a Pax-Americana in the world by using military as well as economic power. The 911 terrorist attack was the catalyst or excuse (the Pearl Harbor of our times) that allowed the neo-cons to set in motion their twisted foreign policy. One of the founding members was none other than Dick Cheney and a host of others associated with the current administration: Donal Rumsfeld, Paul Wolfowits, Jeb Bush, "Scooter" Libby, Norman Podhoretz, just to name a few. Their statement of principles focuses on the following:
          1. we need to increase defense spending significantly if we are to carry out our global responsibilities today and modernize our armed forces fot the future
          2. we need to strengthen our ties to democratic allies and to CHALLENGE REGIMES HOSTILE TO OUR INTEREST AND VALUES
          3.WE NEED TO PROMOTE THE CAUSE OF POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC FREEDOM ABROAD
          4.we need to accept responsibility for AMERICA'S UNIQUE ROLE IN PRESERVING AND EXTENDING AN INTERNATIONAL ORDER FRIENDLY TO OUR OWN SECURITY, OUR .PROSPERITY, AND OUR PRINCIPLES. (Compare these words to the stated goals of our forefathers in Preamble of the Constitution: "We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish jusice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America"

          Rod Nordland describes how Iraqis can go to the market and buy and sell. The Iraqi people have been doing this for thousands of years. Before the first Gulf War, Iraq had one of the best medical and university systems in the Middle East. Yeh, we removed a bloody dicator but only because he no longer served his purpose. He didn't have weapons of mass destruction and he had nothing to do with 911. Saddam Hussein used to be our ally during the 1980s, just as Musharef of Pakistan is now. (He will also outlive his usefulness for our government). We are not bringing the Iraqis a free market and political freedom. We want their oil and we need a place for us to maintain a military presence in the Middle East. Oil is the lifeblood of our economy and our military machine.

  • Posted By: Apachejock @ 11/23/2007 8:39:43 PM

    Comment: LOL - cmicah6:8, your ignorance is underscored in that your name (Afraid to use your own?) uses a Biblical verse to hide behind. You and your Pusillanimous cohorts believe (along with Radical Islam) that America is the great Satan. True we have our problems and Sins- but generosity and the willingness of a small segment of our population to fight and die for the liberites of others is not one of them. As George Washington declared in our Nation's first Thanksgiving Proclamation, we as a Nation blessed exceedingly by God are expected to share our Blessings with the peoples of the world - not just our own. NO Nation in the history of mankind has given so generously, or sacrificed so many of our sons and daughters for the liberties and freedoms of other Nations and peoples than America. For that we will continue to be blessed by a merciful God who knows that while imperfect, we as a Nation are his favored agent for dispensing mercy, hope, and justice in this world. Pat Rourke , Soldier, Native of Hayfork California

  • Posted By: Apachejock @ 11/23/2007 8:38:09 PM

    LOL - cmicah6:8, your ignorance is underscored in that your name (Afraid to use your own?) uses a Biblical verse to hide behind. You and your Pusillanimous cohorts believe (along with Radical Islam) that America is the great Satan. True we have our problems and Sins- but generosity and the willingness of a small segment of our population to fight and die for the liberites of others is not one of them. As George Washington declared in our Nation's first Thanksgiving Proclamation, we as a Nation blessed exceedingly by God are expected to share our Blessings with the peoples of the world - not just our own. NO Nation in the history of mankind has given so generously, or sacrificed so many of our sons and daughters for the liberties and freedoms of other Nations and peoples than America. For that we will continue to be blessed by a merciful God who knows that while imperfect, we as a Nation are his favored agent for dispensing mercy, hope, and justice in this world. Pat Rourke , Soldier, Native of Hayfork California

  • Posted By: Irratical @ 11/19/2007 5:00:56 PM

    The real rationale behind the Surge was to tamp down violence just enough so that Bush could resist the pressure to withdraw and shore up the wavering support of his Republican base, the hope being he could buy enough time to ride out the next twelve months and hand his Iraq mess over to the next president, which in all likelihood will be a Democrat. This in turn would give Republicans a chance to salvage whatever credibility they have left by blaming America???s ultimate failure in Iraq on a Democratic administration and congress. This is why the soldiers in Iraq today are fighting and dying for the Republican party, whether they know it or not. Or do you think this too cyncial a calculation for the likes of Karl Rove and Dick Cheyney?

    • Posted By: Conservative_Commander @ 11/19/2007 6:11:01 PM

      'Irratical', you poor thing! It appears you???re suffering from BDS (Bush Derangement Syndrome). Perhaps you can get therapy. But I am proud that I served my country on active duty for 20 years to ensure that misguided souls like you have the right to speak their minds. Sincerely, Conservative Commander

      • Posted By: cmicah6:8 @ 11/20/2007 9:58:29 PM

        Conservative Commander, youn mark Irratical's words. The White House the GOP political operatives are already planting the seeds of a "stab in the back" theory. They will blame the Democratic leadership, the so-called liberal mainstream media (which more and more serves corporate interest), and the American people. Yes, they will say that we, the majority of Americans, did not have the patience, the will, the fortitude, the whatever, to win this ill-conceived folly we call a war. Just remember, George Bush asked no one to make any sacrifices after 911. He told us to go shopping, go to Disney World. He also cut taxes during a time of war, the greatest challeng to our civilization and way of life, he called. Never in our history has the American government cut taxes during wartime. No, the only sacrifices being made are by our military mend and women and their families. But none of this preaching matters because our invasion of Iraq is an overt act of aggression, immoral and illegal.

        • Posted By: t9900 @ 11/21/2007 8:56:35 AM

          Newsflash. The invasion ended in 2003. And its 2007. Now its time to give the Iraqi people peace and freedom. New mission new goals. Personaly if we get oil and the iraqi people get freedom and a stable democracy I'd be fine.

          • Posted By: cmicah6:8 @ 11/21/2007 9:14:29 AM

            You're absolutely correct. The mission was completed, Sadam Hussein was removed from power, we discovered they didn't have WMDs, and they had democratic election. But you, like Bush, are moving the goal posts. Moverover, the Iraqi people's freedom has nothing to do with our presence in Iraq. If our foreign policy was so high-minded, why don't we do something about Darfur, Pakistan, China? Wake up and start thinking for yourself. "Pastriotrism" is a bastion for rascals.

            • Posted By: t9900 @ 11/21/2007 12:40:32 PM

              So you think we should just leave and leave a power vacuum for our enemies to fill? The freedom of the Iraqi people is now the other reason why we are staying in Iraq. If you believe otherwise then I feal sorry for the Iraqi people even more. And i think we should do something about Pakistan, China, and Darfur. We can't do anything about them though. China's too powerful, Pakistan will turn to the Taliban if we turn agianst them, and Darfur, well you all remember Black Hawk Down. I do think for myself. Not many people think like this anymore. If someone isn't thinking for themself here, it would be you.BTW, patriotism is what keeps us united and our troops moral high.

              • Posted By: cmicah6:8 @ 11/21/2007 2:11:55 PM

                The freedom of the Iraqi people has nothing to do with this. Please read my response above to NWuser.

                • Posted By: t9900 @ 11/22/2007 4:45:33 PM

                  If thats what you want to believe then so be it. If this was only about oil, then why are we protecting civilians and not just protecting the oil drills and refineries.

  • Posted By: Irratical @ 11/19/2007 5:00:41 PM

    The real rationale behind the Surge was to tamp down violence just enough so that Bush could resist the pressure to withdraw and shore up the wavering support of his Republican base, the hope being he could buy enough time to ride out the next twelve months and hand his Iraq mess over to the next president, which in all likelihood will be a Democrat. This in turn would give Republicans a chance to salvage whatever credibility they have left by blaming America???s ultimate failure in Iraq on a Democratic administration and congress. This is why the soldiers in Iraq today are fighting and dying for the Republican party, whether they know it or not. Or do you think this too cyncial a calculation for the likes of Karl Rove and Dick Cheyney?

    • Posted By: Shankardada2 @ 11/19/2007 7:38:57 PM

      Irratical - I guess then that the real rational behind Bill Clinton's cruise missile attacks on the Sudan in Afghanistan after the bombing of the USS Cole was to divert attention from the fact that he was getting head from a fat chick, right?

      • Posted By: cmicah6:8 @ 11/20/2007 10:14:05 PM

        No, the cruise missile attacks were ordered after the terrorist attacks on our embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998. Sure they could have been to divert attention from the Lewinsky scandal. But if the Repbulicans would have just let him do his job and not worry about his sex life, Whitewater, troopergate, travelgate, and all the other B.S., to try to bring him down, he could have really done his job. Did you know that the Clinton administration warned the Bush administration about Bin Laden during the transition in 2000-2001? They told the Bushites that terrorism would probably be their largest foreign policy concern. You won't hear that on FOX. Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity won't tell you that. No, you guys just keep blaming Clinton because he was such an immoral, deceitful womanizer. Wintson Churchill was a heavy drinker. Franklin Roosevelt was a heavy smoker, loved martinis, and had a mistress. Adolf Hitler did not drink, did not smoke, and did not eat meat. How would you rate their political careers and impact on world history?

        • Posted By: t9900 @ 11/21/2007 9:00:02 AM

          Republicans didn't stop Clinton from launhing that cruise missle. He didn't want to kill princes from Saudi Arabia/Qatar, our terrorist supporting allies. Yes, they were Clintons allies too, not just conservatives and oil companies allies. Surprise to learn something new isn't it.
          And smoking and drinking is a lot different than cheating on your wife. Its a lot worse if you are the President of the most powerful nation on Earth.

          • Posted By: cmicah6:8 @ 11/21/2007 9:17:12 AM

            I'm sorry, T9900, but you still don't get it. Our Republican leaders are no more moral than the our Democratic leaders.

      • Posted By: angelus1967 @ 11/20/2007 12:30:41 PM

        What does that have to do with anything? Every single time Repubs get backed into a corner of some kind they bring out the "Well, Clinton had sex while he was President!" and it usually doesn't have a thing in the world to do with the topic at hand. Fact is, Bush, Cheney and company lied us into a war we had no business launching and now we cannot in good conscience just leave. We are stuck there and Bush is going to do his best to stick the next President with the problem!

        • Posted By: Shankardada2 @ 11/20/2007 8:26:53 PM

          to commentator angelus1967: The point is that Irratical was ascribing ridiculously sinister motives to George Bush, eerily similar to the accusations against Clinton during his sex, lies, and interngate scandal. Both accusations are stupid. Now I would think that a rabid left-winger would have a good enough memory to have learned from that incident.

          • Posted By: cmicah6:8 @ 11/20/2007 10:25:05 PM

            No, the motives Irractical ascribes to Bush are not sinister, they are cynical. Irratical has every reason to be cynical, because this administration has lied repeatedly to the American people. Scott McClellan, the former White House Press Secretary, said he lied for the administration. At Public Affairs, a publishing company, I read this excerpt from his upcoming book:

            "The most powerful leader in the world had called upon me to speak on his behalf and help restore credibility he lost amid the failure to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. So I stood at the White house briefing room podium in front of the glare of the klieg lights for the better part of two weeks and publicly exonerated two of the senior-most aides in the White House: Karl Rove and Scooter Libby.
            There was one problem. It was not true.

            I had unknowingly passed along false information. And five of the highest ranking officials in the administration were involved in my doing so: Rove, Libby, the vice President, the President's chief of staff, and the President himself."

            How will Bush and his advisers spin this one?

  • Posted By: t9900 @ 11/21/2007 8:53:28 AM

    cmicah6:8 do you at all care about the Iraqi people? Because I do and leaving them unprotected is 10 times worse than the invasion, no matter how illegal you think it is. It obviose you care nothing about long term goals. Please stop talking, you just another anti-conservative whos ony goal is to change everything this country is and was. Thankfully your hate torwards conservatives and Bush is stronger than your ability to get anything done.

    • Posted By: cmicah6:8 @ 11/21/2007 9:08:49 AM

      What is the long term goal in Iraq?

  • Posted By: marcusmonroe @ 11/19/2007 1:37:08 PM

    Irratical would be wise to remember that when accusing another party (e.g. the Republicans) of selfish, evil motives, he cannot help exposing his own. Being a leftist, how can he possible know what those on the right are thinking? He cannot. He can only tell us why he himself would act. As a conservative, I know, and all the angels in heaven and all the devils in hell know, that we are IN TRUTH deeply concerned forthe peace and prosperity of the people of Iraq and the rest of the world. Those inspired volunteer servicemen and women who are giving their blood for Iraqi freedom are not fighting and dying for the Republican Party. Only a left-wing radical like Irratical could be so small-minded to think so.

    • Posted By: cmicah6:8 @ 11/20/2007 11:02:10 PM

      You, the conservatives, are "IN TRUTH". That is a mighty bold assertion. It is akin to making one of the greatest theological declaration of all time. Remember this one: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me." If you want to be IN TRUTH, you better start learning the truth, for "he who lives by the sword shall perish by the sword", to once again qoute Jesus, whom Bush the compassionate conservative, no health care for middle class kids, tax cuts for the rich, no increased money for education and healthcare, 200 billion more dollars for war, "bring 'em on", cut funding for the Boy Scouts, "mission accoplished' president said was his favorite philospher.

      • Posted By: t9900 @ 11/21/2007 9:02:23 AM

        Health care for the middle class? You kidding me right. Health care for lower-class kids is one thing but come on. Do you know what a free-market economy even is? Whats next, a maximum rage?

  • Posted By: eljero @ 11/21/2007 12:24:19 AM

    To all Iraqi people, the advantage or disadvantage of the presence or absence of foreign troops in your country is a point of view. Only you can dictate your need for them. Their presence now can work to your advantage only if you would like to be helped. Please bear in mind that your total cooperation in directing your country to total freedom can spell a big difference in difusing the tension among yourselves. Please think hard. Only you can do it. Good luck!

  • Posted By: D OKC @ 11/19/2007 12:20:07 PM

    While there are cynics posting blogs, let me say this. The Iraqi people are tired of being scared and killed blindly by Al Quaida, thye have truned on Al Quiada and are killing them and turning them in. We will win this awful war, due to the many sacrifices of our patriotic Am,ercian troops, with the help of the Iraqis. The nearly traitorus liberl media must really hate this story because it proves they were WRONG! We aer wiing, God Bless our troops from every branch of the armed forces, Thanks for keeping Amercia safe and don't lsiten to the negative SOB's who care more about a gory story than us winning this war. Win this war and come home safe. You are all truly heroic people, you are all our heroes. Remember, most Americans are behind you, 100%. You brought this to pass, with your courage and your lives. Again, God bless each and every one of you. D OKC

    • Posted By: cmicah6:8 @ 11/20/2007 11:09:15 PM

      Define victory. I see you are already blaming the media for a failed Bush policy. Most Americans are against this war. They want the troops home. We already won the war back in 2003. We took Baghdad in thirty days. But we lost the peace. Let's end it before we have more blood on our hands.

  • Posted By: davenp35 @ 11/19/2007 1:45:34 PM

    Even the NYT is now admitting we won in Iraq. I guess the Dems should start appologizing for their treasonous attempts to get us to lose there.

    • Posted By: cmicah6:8 @ 11/20/2007 10:46:48 PM

      Does NYT stand for the "New York Times" or "Next Years Tall-tale"?

  • Posted By: William.Demuth @ 11/19/2007 2:25:27 PM

    While I am neither Democrat, nor Repulican, I can assure you claiming victory in Iraq is at best premature, and at worst ignorant of all the lessons of history. We will be seeing soldiers die in the middle east for the rest of most of our lives. Hopefully, when it is all said and done some good may be claimed, but that is not for out generations to decide because it is in fact the domain of future historians.

    • Posted By: cmicah6:8 @ 11/20/2007 10:44:44 PM

      I fear you may be right. We have built and are building military bases near oil major oil platforms and major oil reserves and pipelines in Iraq. We are also building embassy in world in Iraq. Sad thing, Bush declared "mission accomplished" in 2003.

  • Posted By: t9900 @ 11/19/2007 3:13:29 PM

    And the democrats, want to cut funds for the troops to further thier own gains. Please shut up unless you know what your talking about. Your the kind of person who does absolutly nothing but blames Republicans or hates them, which causes more division. You hate Republicans more than you care for this country. Us patroits are what is kepping our soldiers moral up. Please compare the home fronts and battle fronts of WWII and Vietnam. Ignorant fool.

    • Posted By: GWBasher @ 11/20/2007 6:35:45 AM

      And so the Karl Rove experience continues. If anyone out there wants our troops home you're not a patriot. So says the Neonazicons of the American World. I bet you were never in the military? The only people out there with the big mouths and no balls are people like t9900 who are cowards and are back seat warriors. Someone should take a survey of Vietnam Veterans against this war. You see a lot of the old has become the new. Whatever was felt back in the 60's and 70's now has hit the fan. You see most of the people who are against this kind of war may be like me. Vietnam Veterans with kids and not wanting to lose them in George Bush's egotisticle, put me down as a war president, history of himself to put himself one step up from his father. Don't you see. The world and not just America is tired of your justifications for Iraq. We will never be given the truth because people like you "CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH".

      • Posted By: t9900 @ 11/20/2007 10:06:54 AM

        "Neonazicons". That (and your name) proves who you really are. One of those liberal bush/conservative bashers. You do nothing but spread hate for anybody on the right side. Your not patriotic if you want our troops and protest against what they are doing to come home before Iraq is stabalized. You are a coward. You think we should lose, give up. Of course soldiers don't want to fight wars, no one does, but at least give them some support from home. Not protest to get them to give up.
        Intersting you call me that though, considering your the kind that says if you want the troops to stay you don't care about them. You are exactly whats wrong with this country. Your hatred of the right overpowers your ability to do things right or think.

        • Posted By: cmicah6:8 @ 11/20/2007 10:40:06 PM

          Chalk me up as an unpatriotic traitor and coward, too. I strongly disagree with George Bush, Dick Cheney, and all those who took us to war agains a nation that did not attack us. Are you willing to go to Iraq and fight for what you believe? Seems GW Basher, as a Vietnam Vet, has earned the right to protest a policy that is immoral. It is our right and duty as goog citizens to speak up when against injustice and bad governmernt. Haven't you heard "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. ??? That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the CONSENT OF THE GOVNERNED, ??? That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness." I pray for justice!

  • Posted By: jcurtis13 @ 11/18/2007 10:27:01 PM

    If I just had a nickel for every liberal who believes in gay marriage. If you believe in it that much, join up.

    • Posted By: angelus1967 @ 11/20/2007 12:08:49 PM

      What in the hell does that have to do with our military being deployed around the world in places we have no business in?
      I fail to see how it is a liberal point of view to want to allow people who love each other to marry. Gay, straight, black, white, what difference does it make? If they are consenting adults and in love with each other they should be able to marry. Goodness knows they can't do much worse than the 50% divorce rate that straight marriages boast of!

  • Posted By: Thought from the World @ 11/20/2007 8:23:28 AM

    Enter Your Comment

  • Posted By: Conservative_Commander @ 11/19/2007 6:13:34 PM

    'Irratical', you need help. It appears you???re suffering from BDS (Bush Derangement Syndrome). Perhaps you can get therapy. But I am proud that I served my country on active duty for 20 years to ensure that misguided souls like you have the right to speak their minds.

    • Posted By: GWBasher @ 11/20/2007 6:43:45 AM

      Well commander I'd say you're one of the few and proud who back this political war. Why does it bother me that you say you put in 20 years and sound like a jeep.

  • Posted By: GWBasher @ 11/20/2007 6:24:48 AM

    She may have been fat but at least it was a she.

Reply

Report Abuse

Enter comments if any for reporting abuse