Iraq Was A Just War

An article appearing in the Australian, written by an Iraqi citizen, Omar Fadhil Al-Nidawi, who along with his brother Mohammed run the weblog Iraq the Model.

Iraq was a just war

Omar Fadhil Al-Nidawi | June 02, 2009

THE war in Iraq is officially moving to an end. Six years after Saddam Hussein's regime was toppled, several coalition members have ended their missions in Iraq - including Australia, which pulled out its troops 12 months ago - and the US is preparing to wrap up its military involvement in the country.

Many still ask: Was it worth it?

If we examine the question from an American, British or Australian perspective, then it would be difficult to present an answer that could convince all critics. For the coalition members this was a war of opportunity, not a war of necessity. Going to war or not was never an issue that could affect the existence of a coalition member, nor was winning or losing.

For Iraq and its people however, this war was the beginning of a struggle for rebirth, a very difficult but necessary one, for sure.

People of my generation who were born in democracies may take the freedom they enjoy for granted. This is certainly not the case for me or my people. I was born a decade after the murderous Ba'ath Party grabbed power in Baghdad in the sinister coup of July 1968. To us, the war brought an end to that 35-year-long nightmare and the beginning of an era of freedom, thanks to our friends in the coalition.

For me and many Iraqis, it was certainly worth it. Life is better today than it was before 2003. That is even though we were on the receiving end of this war in all its phases, from initial invasion through the bloody sectarian violence and terror that paralysed the country for years. Despite the high price in blood, today is brighter than yesterday. Above all, we have hope - something we did not have under Saddam's dictatorship - that tomorrow will be even brighter.

Excerpt, Read the rest HERE

The Iraqi people have discovered what all too many Americans seem to have forgotten, that freedom isn’t free and it comes at a high price.

The Iraqi’s now have a strong foothold in self-determination and setting their country on a path they see fit to.

Americans and coalition forces paid a price for their freedom and the Iraqi’s paid an even higher price. Mistakes were made and heavy opposition ensued. Yet, as Omar shows, freedom persevered and Iraq is now on its way to being the model for the rest of the Middle East.

Nowhere is this seen any better than in Iran, where disillusioned protesters take to the streets demanding a full and proper vote for president, in spite of beatings, mayhem and murder by Iranian Officials and their supporters.

Other nations have spoken out against the government’s treatment of Iranian citizens, while our own newly elected president turns his head away from the struggle.

As American and Coalition forces begin or continue their withdrawals from Iraq, I’d like to point out that there is not a single drop of Iraqi oil being carried out by them. All the cries of “No Blood For Oil,” accusing President Bush of “stealing their oil” were erroneous and what oil we do receive from the Iraqi’s in the future will be obtained legally and by payment.

As Socialism is thrust upon the American citizens, I hope our own citizens wake up and see what Iraqi’s were willing to pay to gain it and instead of fighting to get our own back years from now, help us keep it today.

Bush Was Right