Iraq's free, boisterous and critical press is another example of genuine change. Its existence is unarguable. It is there, alive and signaling the birth of liberty, which is also a huge victory in the Global War on Terror. It signals an emerging democracy in the predominantly Arab Muslim Middle East, an alternative to the terrible non-choice of tyrant or terrorist, the vicious ying-yang that has savaged the Arab heartland.
I remain astounded that much of our country can't recognize that we've won something potentially far more important than "just" removing a bloody dictator from power in Iraq. I am equally astounded that we might not invest the money and effort to exploit what we've achieved so far.
My biggest fear is that our Left won't forgive Iraqis for being liberated by George W. Bush.
UPDATE: As we draw down, the Iraqis increasingly realize they will need our support for a number of tasks I've discussed for years now. Our military certainly knows we need to stay to preserve what we've gained (and achieve more, I'll add), as we've stayed in Germany, Italy, Japan, and South Korea:
In an interview last month, the chief of staff of the Iraqi armed forces, Gen. Babakir Zebari, predicted the need for U.S. forces to remain in Iraq until 2020, and said he would like to see America maintain "three or four bases" to help deter possible threats from Iraq's neighbors. U.S. officials have also said Iraq's army will need assistance beyond 2011.
When the Iraqis finally settle on a new government (again, as frustrating as it is, I'll look at the bright side that nobody has decided to just settle this dispute with guns), they'll likely approach us to negotiate a new deal to extend our military presence in Iraq. I hope President Obama will conclude such a deal with the Iraqis.
