Watching America: The U.S. Military’s Endless Task in Iraq

The U.S. Military’s Endless Task in Iraq
Sohu, China.
By Zhang Guoqing
Translated By Trevor Cook
23 August 2010
Edited by Allie Kirchner

Following the withdrawal of the last group of combat troops from Iraq, it looks as though America's seven-year-long struggle has come to an end; but its work in Iraq has not finished, and the withdrawal seems sudden and awkward.

The American withdrawal is sudden because it is still difficult to identify a trace of the prosperous and stable Iraq that the U.S. government promised when it initiated its attack. And considering all of the original promises, the decision to pull out the U.S. army now is indeed a hasty one.

In fact, even some Iraqis feel that the United States is leaving somewhat hurriedly and under pressure. Interestingly, imprisoned former Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz has made what may seem like a surprising request of the Obama administration: He hopes that the United States will continue its occupation of Iraq. Mr. Aziz said sincerely, "You cannot just leave us and throw Iraq to the wolves. When you make a mistake you need to correct a mistake, not leave Iraq to its death."

Aziz does not speak alone. Iraqi commentators also hope that the U.S. army can stay until 2020 because, speaking optimistically, it will take at least 10 years for Iraq to return to normal. It is completely irresponsible for the U.S. army to leave Iraq at such a strange time. After all, this war was launched by the Bush administration to search for something that didn't exist. Now Saddam is dead and the Iraqi people are left with the bill.

Even though he is in prison, Aziz watches the developments in Iraq on television. In his opinion, today's Iraq has more sickness, more hunger. "We are all victims of America and Britain," he says. Aziz has said quite a few things that are on the minds of Iraqis.