I wonder how this slipped by the editorial staff of the Washington post. After all, the conclusion is quite supportive of the war in Iraq and projects victory.

In Iraq, as we have seen with the anti-al-Qaeda, Sunni Arab "Awakenings," Sunni extremism is now in retreat. More important, the gruesome anti-Shiite tactics of extremist groups, combined with the much-quoted statements made by former Sunni insurgents about the positive actions of the United States in Iraq, have caused a great deal of intellectual turbulence in the Arab world.

It's way too soon to call Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda spiritual outcasts among Arab Muslims, but they have in fact sustained enormous damage throughout the region because of Iraq. The lack of holy-warrior manpower coming from the Muslim Brotherhood is surely, in part, a reflection of this discomfort with al-Qaeda's violence, the complexity of Iraqi politics and America's not entirely negative role inside the country. If bin Ladenism is now on the decline -- and it may well be among Arabs -- then Iraq has played an essential part in battering the movement's spiritual appeal.

Iraq could still fall apart (and if an American president starts withdrawing troops haphazardly, it probably will). The country's descent into chaos and renewed sectarian strife would likely reenergize Islamic extremism. But it is certainly not too soon to suggest that Iraq could well become America's decisive victory over Osama bin Laden, al-Qaeda and all those Muslims who believe that God has sanctified violence against the United States.

Yeah, I did bold that parenthetical comment -- because it goes to the very heart of the 2008 presidential election. We have one candidate still in the running for the White House who says he is prepared to do what it takes to ensure victory over the terrorists. and stability in Iraq. You have two others who are promising immediate withdrawal of American troops if they are elected. The choice is therefore clear -- a policy that will be a setback to the Islamists, or one that will bring about their resurgence. There is no question which outcome is better for the United States.

Posted by: Greg at 02:49 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
Post contains 361 words, total size 2 kb.