Steve Ivester on the Middle East

We have many positive relations with Middle Eastern countries:  in education, business, culture, medicine and economic development.  However, the region is beset with terrorism and internal strife.  The Iraq war has liberated the country, but the occupation has continued on too long, with too many US and civilian casualties, and with too much cost (in the billions of dollars).  Many Iraqis and other Arabs criticize the US military's occupation of Iraq, and they fear expansion of the war into Turkey or Iran.  So, we need a new strategy to build peace and security.  This would involve more and better multilateral negotiations, along with speeded up economic development and effective training and supplying of non-corrupt Iraqi security and police forces.
 
Most of us watched the Ken Burns film series on the US Civil War.  Recall the North Carolina small farm soldier who was asked by a Northern General, “Why are you fighting us?”  The answer was “Because you are here!”

In an occupation with insurgency, a major function of the military is to “stop the man who comes in the night with a knife to kill anyone who cooperates.”  Clearly we have failed to do that in Iraq.  To the extent that we are currently having some success with this in the Surge, those gains will soon be lost unless non-military economic development and political goals progress.  The military leaders admit that little progress has been made by the new Iraqi government on issues such as Oil Revenue Sharing, reintegration of Sunni Baathists, or reconciliation among ethno-religious groups.  We should deploy and work strategically to keep the conflict limited to Iraq.  If they cannot find their own solution, we have the option to encourage managed partition or regional division.

Currently we are giving insufficient attention to Afghanistan and Pakistan.  We should focus more resources on a successful end to our occupation of Afghanistan and continue to work with its promising new government.  The campaign in Afghanistan and the ongoing struggle with the Taliban and Al Qaidah represent a legitimate response to 9/11.
 
The use of contractors or mercenaries, such as Blackwater, should be curtailed.  We should fight our wars only with our national soldiers.  If we need a larger military, that decision should be made by Congress.  To do otherwise invites the creation of uncontrollable private armies, warlords, or criminal gangs.

In an earlier time, we integrated our State National Guards (or militias) into the regular military.  The fact that many states have been left without protection during natural disasters, as their Guard Units serve long tours in Iraq, is disturbing.

• I will fight to see that our military is wisely deployed tactically to achieve well-defined strategic goals of Middle East peace and security.  I will fight to see that all tools, military and diplomatic, are bought to bear.  I will fight to see that our troops and military resources are cared for and used effectively.

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