A man claiming to be the top spokesman for Iraq's former ruling party said the group will not stop aiding the insurgency or engage in national reconciliation efforts unless the U.S.-backed government in Baghdad accepts conditions that would lead to its end.
Among the demands are the complete withdrawal of American troops, the abolition of laws enacted since the ouster of Saddam Hussein's regime and trials of all Iraqis who cooperated with the United States and the U.S.-supported administration.
What the heck. As long as the Sunnis are heading for the big collective dirt nap, why not make extreme threats just in case our side wets our collective pants and gives in?
And the Baathists do think we will break first despite the dire straits the Baathists are in when faced with the majority population increasingly able to control the power of the state to defeat the Sunnis. However bad off the Sunnis are, as long as they boast of strength, they believe enough Americans will boldy proclaim retreat as victory and leave Iraq too soon.
This enemy confidence that is on display (whether they believe it is somewhat irrelevant) despite defeat in the actual war is the price we are paying for dissent over the war. So our enemies plant another bomb in a market and kill another American soldier. All because they think we can't hack it.
We are paying the price for an image of weakness. We'd be far better off if our enemies knew deep down that we finish what we start and that anybody who stands in our way dies:
If our so-called leaders would have the strength of character to back a war that they actually authorized until we win, we would not tempt enemies to kill as many of our troops as possible in order to drive us from the battlefield. In the long run, a reputation for doing what it takes to win will lead our enemies to learn that resistance is futile.
Remember, it takes a village to raise enemies to believe we're weenies.
I am disappointed in those who in February and March 2003 were war supporters, but who now have bailed on the troops who will bring us victory if we don't abandon them. We declared war. We went to war. We must win the war. Luckily, my concerns about our President's determination to win have lessened since last month.
There was no sunset on the legislation declaring war on Saddam's Iraq. Our troops took an oath to fight no matter what. Can't we at least focus long enough to win? When we are winning?
Suck it up and soldier on, people. Victory is the objective.
UPDATE: Like me, Wretchard doesn't understand why people don't see that the Sunnis are doomed:
One of the greatest pieces of disinformation that the press ever sold the public was this notion that the Sunni insurgency was on the verge of defeating American forces in Iraq. This idea has made it difficult for much of the public to understand the dynamic of the fight and it represents a failure of narrative which is only latterly being corrected.
Still, despite the confusion, I don't think even the Baker report can save the Sunnis from crushing defeat. They really are their own worst enemy.
