So, I was just sitting here, toggling between work and news reports, and I came across this little item. Apparently, al Queda operations in Iraq are failing to garner the following they require. But, that's not the part that caught my attention:
It even laments Iraq's lack of mountains in which to take refuge.
To me, that's a fascinating thing to mention, and I'll explain why.
First off, I should note that, if you're one of those people who steadfastly refuse to acknowledge that the world is at war with terrorism, this stuff will probably leave your mouth sour with bile but, then again, I don't really care. Anyway, back to my musings.
It's been widely understood, in the lead-up and the aftermath of the Iraq war, that Islamic fundamentalists and terrorists were filtering their way across the border to fight American forces. Some intercepted memos even indicate that bin Laden himself encouraged al Queda to take the fight to Iraq, abandoning Afghanistan.
In the context of the war on terror, Iraq has therefore been an outstanding strategy for the coalition of the willing. In Afghanistan, we had to slog through mountainous crapland to root out terrorists. Now, they're coming to the coalition, on flat terrain, with a local population that is hesitating to assist them. Early on, this was referred to as the "flypaper strategy," and I think there's some truth to it.
The situation sucks for the Iraqi people, obviously, and it's hindering the rebuilding effort, but I for one sleep a little better each night. Because, if terrorists are intent on slugging it out with American SOLDIERS, in an environment that puts the terrorists at a severe disadvantage, in a country several thousands of miles away from American soil, so the terrorists are not flying planes into buildings here at home, well, then I'd say we're doing a bang-up job in the war on terror.
Of course, you may disagree. . .
Posted by Ryan at February 9, 2004 01:07 PM
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