Isn't it funny how it took a war to reveal to the Arab world how terrible a dictator Saddam had been and how misguided their faith in him and his causes have been? I was reading some reports this morning about the Arab reaction to the jubilation in liberated Baghdad and was quite pleased to hear of the "shock" and "disbelief" being felt throughout the Arab world in countries such as Egypt. People who once vigorously supported Saddam were quoted as saying how "silly" they were and how they now finally realize that all Saddam was interested in was holding onto power with bloodshed and terror and not the well-being of his people. It only took a war to get through to them.
So, after less than a month Gulf War II is drawing to a close. Baghdad has been all but completely secured and the last remaining holdouts in Northern Iraq are close to falling to coalition troops. I, for one, am quite surprised at the rapidity of our victory (though of course, as they addage goes: 'it's not over until the fat lady sings.'). Nevertheless, I'll admit that I was predicting a long, bloody battle for Baghdad that would mirror the battles for Stalingrad during WWII and--more recently--the battle in Mogadishu several years ago. Obviously, no such battle ocurred and it's becomming safer and safer to say that no such battle will.
I'm also pleased that with the fall of Saddam's power and the destruction of his propaganda machine the people of Iraq have been free to openly express their true feelings toward the U.S.-led coalition and the machine that it has undertaken. It's interesting how burning effigys of President Bush have now been replaced with photographs of him with captions such as "Hero of the Peace." Thank God we were greeted as liberators and not invaders. I guess just because people say one thing to the cameras out of fear, it doesn't mean that they genuinely believe it. Hopefully this will begin to bring order and sense to the Middle East.
posted at 10:17