Iraq: Five Years and Fading

This marks the five-year anniversary of the war in Iraq. Usually, I'm against the media playing up these kinds of things. After all, the five-year date is no different than the day before in Iraq, or the day after in Iraq. Troops are still under attack, some die, some are wounded every day in Iraq, and no anniversary changes that.

This year, I feel a bit different. Recent studies have shown that the news coverage of the war in Iraq has faded, buried in the back pages of the paper or in C-blocks of shows, if it's covered at all. While John McCain and George Bush talk about being on the path to victory (which is still undefined, by the way), polls show that the American people may be starting to believe it, because the news hasn't taken a look at the situation on the ground, and doesn't tell them anything different. Yet, as I noted a couple of weeks ago, troops on the ground are still reporting that their morale is incredibly low, with just 11 percent saying morale is high or very high.

So, maybe this five-year date will jog the media out of its Iraq-fatigue, and force them to confront what is happening, and report on it.

Maybe they'll can the stories on Eliot Spitzer's prostitute getting offers to pose for Playboy, and start reporting on another woman -- a woman who was awarded the Silver Star for her service in Afghanistan.

Maybe they'll report on an incredible new proposal for responsibly ending the war in Iraq, and refocusing on the real threat to America (al Qaeda in Afghanistan), put together by candidates for Congress, retired military brass, veterans and foreign policy experts. This proposal deserves an hour news program all to itself; it is so chocked full of solid plans that it deserves serious public consideration and debate.

Maybe they'll stop obsessing over preachers who endorse Obama or McCain, or Gerry Ferraro's views on race and politics, and talk about a more important split -- the growing divide among extreme radicals in the Madhi Army, some of whom view Muqtada al-Sadr as too "pro-American." Unlike politicians and preachers, this divide could ultimate unleash an explosion of violence in Iraq.

Maybe I'm hoping for too much. If the media follows their pattern, they'll take a brief pause tomorrow to remember there's a war in Iraq and war in Afghanistan. Then it'll be back to talk of prostitutes and celebrity breakdowns.

For those interested in what's really going on the in the world, though, take a look at the largest community dedicated to discussing the wars and military and veterans' issues, VetVoice.com. Unlike in the traditional media, over there today is no different than tomorrow and the day after tomorrow is no different than the day before.

UPDATE: Even more depressing. After five years of the war, Senator McCain still doesn't know the difference between Sunni and Shia, claiming it was 'common knowledge' that Iran was supplying "al Qaeda" in Iraq (Sunnis) with arms. He didn't change this statement until Joe Lieberman whispered in his ear. You know you're in trouble when you need to rely on Joe Lieberman to know about foreign policy.

Comments

[Rescisco]

If the media were to pay more attention, would they get it right? Good journalism is dead (including print journalism), the networks long ago dismantled their international bureaus, and the talking heads that remain are so fluffy that they believe the administration's misinformation. The truth may be out there, but that's where it will remain.

[dogman44]

Finding truth means seeking it out. This is a time consuming pursuit. Truth will not come to you.
If it does, it will be to late to benefit from the Knowledge

[LizM]

Extremely well said!

[DMM1029]

Sadly, a simple review of history, especially of the middle east, teaches one that invasions such as ours, was doomed the moment it began. A thousand years ago, the crusaders invaded, and held on for 300 years. In the end, they could not keep it. We prosecuted people after WWII, for almost exactly the same behavior we have engaged in. Yes, the motive was different. But, that is nothing more than the age old 'ends justify the means' bullshit which all tyrants have employed. Face it. We have engaged in aggressive war, and kidnapped and tortured our captives along the way. How different are we from the Axis armies of WWII?

[jcorrington]

Good post Jon. The next big media issue will be how many fish DICK cheney caught with the Sultan.

It is soooo sad.


del8300
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[fvscvte]

You are absolutely correct John Soltz in your observation of the media's lack of attention to the war. They are so in love with Obama, that they can't focus on anything else and can only report one topic at the time which is almost always tabloid fluff. Shame on the media and shame on Americans who haven't taken to the streets in protest of this illegal and immoral war and hounded their representiatives in congress and senate. Shame on you Pelosi and Reid for being all talk and no action. Don't forget it is American Idol time and Dancing With the Stars, so hardly anybody will even notice that today marks the 5th year of hell for American troops and innocent Iraqi people.

[BonnieJW]

People haven't taken to the streets for two reasons. One, there is no draft. If bush decided to implement a draft, there would be millions in the streets across the nation. Second, we don't think protesting will do any good. If the congress is ignored by the justice department, what good will protesting do? We are just waiting until we get democrats into the White House and the legislature so we can begin cleaning up after repubs, just like always.

[LizM]

Just a couple or three observations about the new plan for Iraq...

After an admittedly quick perusal of this plan, I have to say that it is relatively impressive - on the surface. The authors have a lot of good things to say, including their recognition that there is no military solution to what is a very political problem in Iraq. They also rely heavily on the report of the Iraq Study Group (ISG), which also offers many solid recommendations.

However, there are some very conspicuous omissions that leave the viability of this plan wide open for debate. Missing is any recognition, as far as I could tell, of what is fueling the sectarian violence of Iraq's civil war and what is driving the struggle for power and resources between Iraq's sectarian groups and within them.

And, like the report of the ISG, the advocates of this plan appear to perpetuate the fundamentally and fatally flawed premise that a strong central government in Baghdad can emerge that would be capable of providing security and services throughout Iraq, to all Iraqis. It should be obvious by now that there is no reasonable prospect that such a government will materialize, now or in the near to medium term. And, this reality is far more a function of how that government is structured than of the personalities that may lead it at any given moment.

There is no reasonable prospect that Iraq can be governed from the center, at least at this time in its history. There simply is not enough trust in the so-called unity government by the Iraqi people and not enough capacity, or inclination, within the current government structure to ensure the security of all Iraqis or the delivery of services throughout Iraq.

I guess the question I would ask is why do the advocates of this plan feel the need to reinvent the wheel? The strategy outlined by Senator Biden, over the course of the last four years, to promote and facilitate a sustainable political settlement in Iraq has all of the essential elements that this plan offers but also recognizes the political realities on the ground in Iraq today. In addition to being a far more comprehensive and viable strategy, the Biden plan has already received support from all corners - including an overwhelming and unprecedented majority of Republicans and Democrats in Congress, the permanent members of the UN Security Council and, most importantly, most of Iraq"s sectarian leaders. And, Turkey is now on board with what Senator Biden is advocating.

Maybe those endorsing this plan need to consult with Joe Biden...and, perhaps, even give a little credit where credit is due.

As for "five years and fading"... I have a real bad feeling that the situation in Iraq may soon be issue #1, front and center, and in all of our faces - with or without any help from the media. Time is not on our side and it may have already run out for any strategy to end the civil war in Iraq responsibly.

[glitz]

Jon; You are right again. I have found that people I have come across in this "Military" and "Contractor" town, surprizingly, are like the rest of the American public. They really don't know the numbers, and I have come to believe they don't want to. I, because my sister is so involved in the fight for the wounded, am fully aware of the crime of the Iraq war. Five years and billions of dollars for what? Those billions don't even scratch the surface for what it is going to cost to compensate for the thousands of those wounded or even care for them for the rest of their lives. And what about the numbers, almost 4,000 dead, over 30,000 wounded; and of that number it is unknown how many were breathing when they left Iraq and have not made it. The number of wounded hasn't changed on any of the Government web sites in 4 months. But our Administration is into Nation Building and securing oil...No-one, not even still active duty officers can tell me what the ultimate goal is in Iraq..they of course believe it is not their mandate to care..they just do their job. But at what point does someone in authority say..enough!