Iraq

Woke up this morning and eventually I started thinking of Iraq. For the past few weeks or so I've kind of not been thinking about Middle Eastern life or getting into depth in some subjects that would normally interest me.

It's been ill, still am, but I guess things are improving.

I went back to the invasion, this one generally, with a nod in the direction of the previous short lived one too. I was wondering how things would, or rather could, have turned out if the information that had been gathered about the situation in Iraq, by military personal during the previous invasion, had been used as suggested to plan for the present invasion.

There was information and advice on the fierce divisions within Iraq itself, along with suggested military tactics including a much greater military strength, that was generally ignored. The forces went in as if they believed that they were going to be welcomed by jubilant Iraqis who would forget anything apart from their relief that Saddam had gone.

To an extent some Iraqis had tried this approach before only to be abandoned to the hands of Saddam's executioners when the forces withdrew leaving Saddam in power. Unsurprizingly there was no rush to support the troops this time, the last lesson was learnt the hard way and had not been forgotten. And, unlike the leaders who sent the invading force into Iraq, the Iraqi people themselves had no lack of understanding what a small military presence was going to result in for the country. at least, in the short term. There was a feeling of disbelief amongst a lot of people when the number of troops sent to unseat Saddam was realised. Because that is all they were perceived to be able to do, there certainly weren't enough to have any chance of stabilizing a period of time to try and win a peace that would be won without more bloodshed and severe unrest.

I think twice the number was the number mooted as being able to at least present some chance of stability though I have to admit I've actually forgotten for sure, but I think it was twice the amount.

The security forces in the country had been under Saddam's control. The factions in the country had been made more entrenched by Saddam's actions. It was not a good situation to go into without substantial back up. And, there was unrest centred around the US in other countries that could also lead to more opposing action.

It was not a good situation at all.

I was just thinking whether there was a way around some of the problems that are there today if the relevant information had been acted on. It would have given more of a sense of security for people. And it's even possible that some people might have felt more of a unity with the people who had got rid of Saddam if they'd felt more secure about other factors as well. If it had looked as if the forces were there to protect and give the people freedom to settle again instead of going into further bloodshed.

I just don't know. But I do know there was very little chance the way the operation was carried out.