Iraqis Feel Ambivalence Toward American Soldiers

According to the NY Times, Iraqi military leaders have been feeling ambivalence toward the American miltary. Many American soldiers feel Iraq owes a lot to them, especially because this war has cost America a trillion dollars, 4,000 American lives, and at least another decade ruled by insurgents or worse, Saddam Hussein. Iraqis have been frustated by some of the American soldiers' actions. In one instance, an Iraqi politician traveled with the Iraqi Army's chief of staff, and was stopped at Baghdad Airport by an American sergeant who did not allow them to board. Later, the Iraqi politician met with the commader in charge of Baghdad. During the meeting, an American colonel said that "there was nothing he could do about this."

The Iraqis have to listen somewhat to the American miltary, because without it, the insurgents will wreak havoc across Iraq. Right now, the Iraqi military is too inexperienced and cannot control the number of insurgents in Iraq. Even when the United States made an agreement with Iraq to not interfere in cities and population centers, on August 19th, two bombings of ministries prompted the U.S. to act even when it wasn't supposed to. In hindsight, this decision was both beneficial and hindering to the Iraqi military. It was beneficial because the insurgents were eventually killed, but it hindered the progress of the Iraqi army, which was exposed because it still cannot prevent insurgents from attacking, let alone external countries. One source said that "This whole incident should serve as a wake-up call that the U.S. still has a very important role to play in Iraq’s security.” This is not encouraging news for Iraq, which is scheduled to be free of American support by 2011.

Some people will wonder what external threats Iraq faces. As long as the American army remains in Iraq, nothing. However, once it leaves, Iraq will be surrounded by potential enemies. Turkey is currently bombing Northern Iraq, and Iran and Iraq fought int he 1980's. There are many other small middle-eastern countries that do not like the idea of a Shiite-controlled Iraq.

Even though some Iraqis may feel some resentment towards the U.S., they know that America will have to be in Iraq for a very long time. There will be more Iraqi deaths, and the U.S. and Iraq are trying to contain the insurgents. But for now, Iraq will have to remain friends with the U.S. if they want to make any progress going further.