Hello from downtown Baghdad
Todd, a work associate and friend, is currently deployed on his second Iraq tour. Todd is serving as a Coalition liaison assisting the newly-elected Iraqi government with personnel issues. His recent email reprinted below hints at troubles ahead but also conveys cautious optimism …
From: Todd Deehl [ … ]
Sent: Tuesday, July 25, 2006 8:23 AM
To: [ The B2 Journal ]
Subject: Hello from Downtown Baghdad
It seems of late that most of the news here is not good. I am sure Iraq has been overshadowed by the Middle East conflict. I have been living and working in the Red Zone (a small military forward operating base in downtown Baghdad) the past two weeks and am doing fine. Five days in the Red and two in the Green to meet and brief coalition leaders is my routine. I am very alert to my surroundings and well-informed of the situation and threat.
Thus far my greatest danger is of a random nature against which it is nearly impossible to mitigate -- rockets, mortars and the occasional car bombs. I move with armored vehicles and personal security - mean-looking guys with rifles, pistols, and radios for calling in military back-up if needed. Been drinking tea with Iraqi Generals and trying to advise and mentor them on doctrine, tactics, training, and planning for various aspects of human resources management. Very slow process, but making progress.
There are about 100 Iraqi fatalities daily here, and it seems we all work with and know personally somebody who was murdered. Although we did plan and are prepared, I don't see the U.S. military drawdown happening this year as the insurgency and sectarian violence remains just too high. Not sure what the correct term is for this growing sectarian divide but it is looking more like a civil war than when I got here.
The next few months pose a critical challenge to the viability and survivability of the newly-elected Iraqi government. Most of us believe that if the violence is not brought under control within the next six months, we will see the possible toppling of the government and the country being thrust into an all-out civil war.
The current Middle East situation certainly poses a problem in how the U.S. is perceived here and thus raises the danger to our forces. Some of the elected officials and Imams are spewing that the U.S. intends to repress Iraq and all Muslim countries and make Israel the power in the region -- unfortunately too many of the masses believe their religious leaders no matter how incredulous their ranting. Of course this fires up more young radicals to joining in the violence.
Hopefully, Hezbollah will be crippled in the next week or two and an international peace enforcement force will be brought in to ensure a diplomatic solution. If Syria and Iran enter the foray, all bets are off.
The Iraqis (military and security forces) are getting larger and stronger every day and we recently turned over one of the 18 provinces (like our States) to Iraqi control -- very significant milestone and probably not reported in the U.S. media. The center of gravity remains Baghdad --whoever owns Baghdad controls the entire country. Anticipate anti-Iraqi forces massing in Baghdad in the days ahead in an effort to wreak havoc and destabilize the fragile government.
Perhaps their aim is similar to the Tet Offensive in Vietnam in testing our national will. We must meet the challenge and not cut and run. You will likely see more spectacular violence directed against the coalition and Iraqi Security Forces. Their goal has been to inflame a sectarian war and split the country. How Iraq and the Coalition do in suppressing and eliminating this offensive now will have historical significance to the future of Iraq.
Corruption is rampant and so ingrained in the culture that it is expected and not even considered a bad thing. The Prime Minister and recently-appointed Deputy Prime Minister for the Ministry of Interior appear to be a good guys determined to change the corruption norm, eliminate bad employees, and do away with militias. They will be tested next month when we recommend the firing of over a 1,000 of their worst employees having confirmed criminal records to include murder and rape.
Doing so will most definitely place them on a hit list and jeopardize the safety of their families, while doing nothing ensures the thugs remain in positions of power to undermine our efforts towards achieving a safer Iraq. A very difficult position many of the officials now face.
In summary, we are facing more bloodshed in the weeks ahead and remain cautiously optimistic serving in a very interesting and critical period in shaping the future of Iraq.
Todd
You probably caught the nuance in Todd's correspondence whenever he mentioned the media coverage of Iraq, or "how the U.S. is perceived here." If you think that the Drive-By Media's constant barrage of calculated, agenda-influenced, aid-the-terrorist reportage does not adversely impact America's prestige or our best and brightest serving over there, you had best think again.
Fortunately, our men and women in harm's way are made of sterner stuff than the Democratic Party leadership. Although they may be frustrated with liberals doing their best to harm America, they will not cut and run and shall prevail so long as they know we everyday Americans support them. If you would like to send Todd an email, he can be reached at: tdeehl@hotmail.com — I'm certain it would be appreciated.
Todd's correspondence provides us with a locally realistic, boots-on-the-ground impression of what is happening in Iraq today. In The B2 Journal's next offering, you will be treated to a broader perspective of Iraq's future as related by a knowledgeable, expatriate Iranian journalist with decades of Iraqi experience.
You won't want to miss it.