Iraqi Security

Following the invasion, anti-Americans in Iraq focused their attacks on Americans and their allies. Sabotage of oil pipelines, electric grid, water and sewer facilities were intended to damage America’s ability to win over the local population. The Iraqis, historically afraid of authority, stayed in the background waiting to see how things would play out. It was America’s war, and Americans were paying in Dollars and American lives, and the Iraqis who were killed by the anti-Americans were few, and primarily part of the new order.

In recent months, attacks and casualties have shifted from Americans and their supporters to civilians and bystanders, primarily Iraqi Shiites. (We speculate that the troublemakers are trying to foment a civil war between Iraqi Shiites and the Sunnis.) While we may overlook Iraqi civilians for their initial lack of involvement when American and their supporters were the principal targets, it’s difficult to comprehend their detachment now that they are the primary target.

The Iraqi civilians will never be safe until they take responsibility for their own safety. They must stop shielding, supporting, hiding or ignoring the killers. They must stand up to, and help to eradicate these hoodlums who live amongst them. Only then will they be deserving of, and on the path to self rule.