Dilip Hiro has written many books about the Middle East, but none as timely as this. Iraq: In the Eye of the Storm comes out too late for the edification of White House hawks, but in time for the rest of us to take a cool look at “victory” and why it is likely to be messily Pyrrhic for the… return to article
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Reader Comments (25)Page 1 of 1 pagesBush did not have the patience to wait out weapons inspections. I cannot imagine he has the patience to deal with what is in store for us in Iraq now. We have a long row to hoe, and unfortunely we are all in it together. Maybe some real leadership in 2004 will make a difference
Posted by Mike on May 10, 2003 at 10:45 AM I think Bush & Co like killing innocent people like the iraqs
that was unforgiveable killing woman and children its only about OIL OIL OIL
Posted by Janice on May 10, 2003 at 6:35 PM This is not only about oil.. but confussion and world domination out of fear.. thats why the attacks on interests who didnt fully support the u.s. .... and id like to say in 2004 we have a chance.. Truth is that is just a vicious 4 year cycle to keep you busy “thinking” you can make a difference.. The president is a TOKEN FIGURE.. HE DOESNT REALLY HAVE POWER.. SO IT DOES NOT MATTER WHO IS IN OFFICE.. And if any president tries to block the ones who empower him, he’d be assassinated.. Think about that.. there is a group who control the federal reserve thats where the dominating parties come from.. their money buys laws presidents your money your labor your thoughts there is a game out there for your mind and rights dont let this distract you from what is going on behind the curtains of the play.. dont ever give up
Posted by Sp8derella on May 11, 2003 at 12:33 AM I don’t know why anyone can’t just look at the facts. Name calling and robotic mention of the word ‘oil’ as if you’ve said something deep significant are not good enough. The fact is that for the first time for 25 years the Iraqi people have hope. Saddam was killing his people at a faster rate than the war did. Focus on this guys, not claptrap ideology.
Posted by Joan Anderson on May 11, 2003 at 3:31 AM Great story. The Stupid Whiteman is another of those ranks among the bestwritten material around. Hiro is a rela hero!
I support regime change immediately in Washington,London and Canberra. That other nut in Madrid will go soon anyway.I support unification of Europe (old and new) I strongly view the silent third power in Russia,China & KoreaNorth & South. Japan miserably is still, a colony of the great deon USA. Let us work together to heral true and lasting peace starting from the dismantling of Israel and exporting all of their discarded North Europe/greater Russia to their own promised land in New York.
Posted by Noah Dean on May 11, 2003 at 5:09 AM Sorry Joan Anderson,
Oil is in a nutshell why innocent people in Iraq were “liberated”. Yes, Saddam was rotten, but now the US has stolen their oil out from under them. Didn’t read about Halburton? 4 billion dollar contract to get the oil business going there again and all without accepting other bids. Will that money go to helping the Iraqi people? Like the help we’re giving in rebuilding Afghanistan? Ha ha ha ha ha!
This was planned a long time ago. That’s why all the reasons for this illegal invasion were mentioned, none were proven, when in fact, our president couldn’t care less about the Iraqi people.
Yeah, oil isn’t the only thing, there’s also a powerbase to establish in the middle east. More suffering is going to come to the Iraqi people at the hands of our non-elected president and all for the sake of oil, power, money and re-election.
Shame on him. If I ever met that son-of-a-bitch, I’d turn my back on him like Maximus did to the emperor in Gladiator.
Posted by neil on May 11, 2003 at 6:04 AM Thanks Neil for your comments. Fine. I agree. The US administration is motivated by self-interest. As it was in the Second World War. As most of us are most of the time. So what? I’m talking about outcomes. Iraq is better off today, as Afghanistan is, because of US intervention. Analysing motivation is interesting if you’ve got time on your hands, but basically irrelevant.
Posted by Joan Anderson on May 12, 2003 at 10:02 AM The oil crap is so old, so ridiculous. I agree that is slimy that Chaney-burton and his slimy corporate pigs at the trough have made a shambles of any well-intentioned U.S. efforts.
But gimme a break here… what exactly is Haliburton and others contracted to do? That would be re-build an infrastructure that is inept, decrepit, and in some ways dangerous. How exactly would you have this done? If this was about oil, then the military would’ve simply seized total control of the oil fields and began selling it at a profit.
Instead, they are securing the areas so they can be rebuilt, funneling the profits to the Iraqis. There’s a lot wrong with Dubya & Co., but I just don’t see the oil angle in any of this.
Posted by Gary on May 12, 2003 at 3:53 PM “Oil is in a nutshell why innocent people in Iraq were “liberated”. “
Why in a nutshell? Because there is no substance to this slogan.
“the US has stolen their oil out from under them. Didn’t read about Halburton? 4 billion dollar contract to get the oil business going there again”
And this is stealing the oil how? 4 billion dollar contract? With who? Not with Iraq, nor is iraq paying the 4 billion dollars.
“Will that money go to helping the Iraqi people?”
Will what money go to Iraq? Not the money being paid to the contractor, certainly not. The revenues generated by the sale of Iraqi oil will go to Iraq. Who says it won’t?“Like the help we’re giving in rebuilding Afghanistan? Ha ha ha ha ha.”
What does this mean? Ha ha ha ha ha?
Simplistic sloganeering doesn’t muddy the waters of debate, since it indicates a total lack of comprehension.
Posted by Nus on May 13, 2003 at 11:19 AM Set aside your intense hatred of Bush for just a second and consider something. Saddam claimes (but refused to provide any documentation) that Iraq had destroyed its WMD. The Bush administrations believes that Iraq had not abandoned its WMD program and decided to invade. Obviously, someone is lying here. Do you peaceniks really take SADDAM HUSSEIN’S word over that of George Bush? A simple “yes” or “no” will suffice.
Posted by Tom on May 13, 2003 at 10:32 PM yes. Obviously Hussein told the truth, Bush et Co. lied.
now go have fun in your new playground
Posted by kev on May 14, 2003 at 8:48 PM Flag Wavers, please check your sources:
1- We have found no WMD.
2- American Oil Companies with direct ties to the Pres. and VP are getting contracts without allowing cooperation/competition from other nations.
3- The U.S. Military has been authorized to “shoot” looters to keep “peace” in Iraq.
4- The Iraqis do NOT want us there. There are people in the USA who want government help. Let’s focus on that. Why should the richest nation on earth have the worst health care and inner city violence?
5- The major media is focused on fear mongering acting as if terrorism is the biggest threat to our and our childrens lives when statistically terrorism is staggeringly low on the list (auto deaths, health care).
6- The supposed heroic rescue of U.S. Army Private Jessica Lynch has proven to be a complete lie (guardian.co.uk). We’re getting nothing but corporate/government propaganda from the goliath press.
Flag wavers, check your sources. It’s the year 2003. Let’s start behaving like global citizens and evolve beyond a culture of fear and violence. Let’s read the bible and the qu’ran and start behaving like compassionate human creatures. I just got back from New Zealand. And they ARE doing it right over there.
I used to love this country and be proud. Today I am ashamed and worried. I hope we find a leader for 2004. Maybe Michael Moore better run… Otherwise, see you in Auckland.
Posted by Cooke on May 15, 2003 at 4:01 AM It’s hard not to lose hope for the future. We really need Bush to lose the next election but that’s probably not going to happen. Not enough people will vote and those that do mostly embrace today’s hate-mongering administration. I think a good long-term solution would be a constitutional amendment eliminating re-election for government office and extending the length of terms 50%. If we take the influence of money for reelection away, periodically dissolve the ties between corporate lobbyists and office holders, and get some new blood in there, maybe we have a chance at having a democracy again. As long as we’re dreaming, let’s throw in a $500 tax credit/refund for everyone who can prove they voted.
Posted by Bernard on May 15, 2003 at 1:23 PM To those who questioned the ‘haha’ remark. I think you’re probably suffering from media blackout - you know, the one that comes into effect after every major US engagement. ‘War’s over boys, nothing to see here, move along!’
The truth is, America failed Afghanistan twice. In the 80’s they left them to thier destoryed country after ‘helping’ them remove the Russians, instead of actually doing anything in terms of reconstruction as they promised. They sent aid (which they knew was being appropriated by the wrong people) and turned a blind eye.
Result? The Taliban and associates regained power in a disillusioned country and Al-Queda found a base of operations.
Now, they are making the same mistakes. Running off to fight Iraq before the job in Afghanistan was done, they have left too few soliders to do a job in a country with nothing. Ask yourself, if you did such a good job in Afghanistan, why are things so bad over there still? Why are soldiers still dying and military operations still going?
Bush and Co. have acutally stood up and asked you to believe that the same quality job done in Afghanistan will be done in Iraq.
I for one hope not.
Posted by Rhonda on May 16, 2003 at 8:36 AM America is the pot calling the kettle’s bluff.
Post-September 11th and not pre-September 10th is the reference point.
But to an Idiotarian the USA can do no good, esp. lead by that “criminal” Bush and his “junta”!
I don’t agree with Bush, he agrees with Me.
Posted by wharold on May 16, 2003 at 5:48 PM I am among those who questioned the “ha ha” remark.
Generally speaking, military missions are not over as fast as movies or video games.
Correct me if I am wrong, but wasn’t Afghanistan a theocratic dictorship? Wasn’t our mission to remove that government and install and support a new one? Do you think 2 years is too much time for that job?
No one answered my questions about the oil.
Here’s another one - what is wrong with contracts to supply America with oil being awarded to American companies and not being offered to foreign companies. Nor does that eliminate competition from foreign companies. Has ELF or Getty gone out of business?
Posted by Nus on May 19, 2003 at 2:58 PM I know people who believe that Bush is great because he freed the Iraqi people. And in return we get thier oil to do with as we please. We get four big bases to attack from. And thats just fine with them. Oh, and if there is more terror, thats just more contracts. Sounds great to some people. (freepers)
Posted by Chris on May 19, 2003 at 11:57 PM First of all anyone that is sitting here and saying we’re stealing oil is out of their minds. What oil have we stolen? Also, an above poster said that we have the “worst healthcare in the world”. I’m sorry, I must forgotten about almost every other country in the world.
Anyone who says that Bush is worse than Saddam is obviously anti-American (or just really dumb).
Cooke, I cannot believe you think the Guardian is more accurate then the news networks. The Guardian has been decidedly anti-American during this entire war.
Oh and “lets read the bible and the qu’ran” could be one of the most right wing things I’ve ever heard. That is a huge violation of the 1st ammendment and as a Jew I am offended. (actually, I don’t really care so much, I was pointing out how some liberals usually respond to “God Bless America”
Posted by Brad on May 21, 2003 at 5:43 PM Cooke, they’re doing it RIGHT in the New Zealand?!? Are you stoned? When any country needs help who do they look to? Who’s the number one country? Who dictates international law? Who is everyone afraid of?
To the “we’re stealing their oil” people, as dennis miller says, “you should go and yell at the board of ed. for depriving you of a proper education”
Posted by Brad on May 23, 2003 at 1:43 PM Excuse me? I thought Afghanistan was about getting a hold of Bin Laden? Well it was until the goalposts suddenly shifted again. They seem to be changing again with WMD suddenly being relegated to a side issue in Iraq. Why do you think the Iraqi people are telling US soldiers to fuck off home in demonstrations that the networks in the US will not cover? It will be soldiers who suffer the reactions and as usual the armchair hawks don’t have the intellectual capacity to understand any of this.
Posted by H Garse on May 24, 2003 at 2:49 PM Once again, we have someone that is smarter than 75% of people in the country, because they can see through the media. Garse, you’re kidding me, on FNC (the target of many liberals) specifically on O’Reilly and Hannity/Colmes they showed both the happiness of the Iraqis and the protesters. So what are you talking about? What do you expect people to do, their country was just invaded and many died there but it is undeniable that Iraq will be way better off than it was before.
Posted by Brad on May 24, 2003 at 7:27 PM Hey Brad,...Do you surf the internet?? Do you skip by links you’d rather not see?? How many hours of Fox News do you watch??Please, re-educate yourself regarding Bush & Co.
Posted by Sam on May 27, 2003 at 3:52 PM Here we go again. Sam here has thrown out the inevitable, “you watch too much Fox News” and has even called the Bush Administration Bush and Co., which is really clever and original. Sam, are you suggesting that Brad is wrong and the Iraqis are not better off without him? That’s what it sounds like. If you have any evidence of this assertion I’d love to hear it.
Posted by Ted on May 28, 2003 at 10:20 AM I just stumbled across your site I just have one question.Are all of your top notch writers and young reporters smokeing the same thing that the bear at the top of the page is.I know from all of these articles, that they were written in a crack smoke filled room. You know how to make a liberal look stupid? Sit quietly and let them speak there opinion.It works every time.
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