Sunday, May 23, 2004
This is a Letter to the Editor I wrote to the Washington Post in response to this op-ed in Sunday's Outlook.
To the Editor:
While Lewis E. Lehrman and William Kristol invoke historical examples to call for the use of massive force against the insurgents in Iraq (“Crush the Insurgents in Iraq,” May 23), a survey of contextually similar precedents show this policy to be disastrous. On a cultural and historical level, one cannot compare the American Civil War or World War II with a Middle Eastern nationalist revolution – that would be akin to citing the Ming Dynasty in a discussion about the Tudors.
Indeed, the most apt parallel that can be drawn with today’s Iraqi insurgency is that of Israel and Palestine. For half a century Israel has been attempting to win “decisive military victories” against the Palestinian fighters. Yet, no matter the number of missile strikes and incursions, the Palestinian intifada remains alive and well; in fact, Israel’s constant application of overwhelming force has served to foment and strengthen the Palestinian cause. This pattern holds true for European powers as well: when the French attempted to forcefully put down an Algerian uprising in 1954, they found themselves faced with a full-fledged revolution that lasted for the next eight years.
If we hope to defeat the Iraqi insurgency, it must be done through subtle means. Marginalize Moqtada al-Sadr and elevate moderate Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani to that populist stature; Ensure everyday Iraqis have basic sanitation and electricity and feel less sympathetic toward the insurgents; Make true amends for the Abu Ghraib prison debacle instead of offering lip-service apologies. Going in with guns blazing will do nothing but harden the backbone of the insurgency and give them free recruiting material – just ask Israel or France.
Elliot Haspel
[Contact Information]
I could have gone on, but I figured if they're going to run it, they'll probably cut some already. I'll add this though: when the Algerian revolution began, France's Interior Minister declared, "The only negotiation is war." Eight years later, the last French troops left Algeria, defeated.
You don't use overwhelming force and hope to defeat a populist/nationalist revolution that's fighting against a percieved invader. Especially not in the Middle East.
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Dear Haspel,
We thank you very much for your interest in adding "published in the Washington Post" to your growing list of dubious accomplishments. You obviously consider yourself to be an expert on this subject, and far be it from us to question your lack of credentials.
Clearly, the world would be a better place if you were running it, and we believe that after reading your journalistic masterpiece, the world will have no choice but to agree. Of course, in the interest of national security, we will forward your letter immediately to the President for further consideration.
Thank you again for shedding the light of truth upon our dark, misguided souls.
Yours,
Editor
The Washington Post
Post a Comment
We thank you very much for your interest in adding "published in the Washington Post" to your growing list of dubious accomplishments. You obviously consider yourself to be an expert on this subject, and far be it from us to question your lack of credentials.
Clearly, the world would be a better place if you were running it, and we believe that after reading your journalistic masterpiece, the world will have no choice but to agree. Of course, in the interest of national security, we will forward your letter immediately to the President for further consideration.
Thank you again for shedding the light of truth upon our dark, misguided souls.
Yours,
Editor
The Washington Post
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