Reflections on Zarqawi's Death
I apologize for not getting around to this sooner; it's been a crazy week, but it's finally over, and I can post a few thoughts on the death of Ahmad Fadeel al Nazal al Khalayleh, better known as Abu Musab al Zarqawi.
First and foremost, kudos to the Coalition forces that tracked him and killed him. We'd love to focus on the Air Force pilots who dropped the bombs, or the other American forces that contributed to the attack that killed Zarqawi; the truth is that this is a victory ransomed literally with the blood, sweat, and tears of many individuals from many nations. My thanks and congratulations go to all who made this possible, as well as to all of those individuals who have suffered or died as a result of Zarqawi's terror, whether directly or indirectly.
Second, I would be negligent if I didn't express some degree of regret that he couldn't have been captured alive. I understand better than anyone that a ground raid could have resulted in extreme danger for American or Iraqi personnel; still, it's unfortunate that he couldn't have been interrogated and exploited. The important part, though, is that dead or alive, he's unable to continue leading his network of thugs and hooligans.
There's been a lot of speculation about whether or not this will do anything to diminish the violence in Iraq. I think that this all depends on how the Coalition reacts to this victory. News stories indicate that they've been able to collect usable data from Zarqawi's hideout, and that they've used that intel to carry out numerous raids. Zarqawi does not represent the entire terrorist insurgency in Iraq, but he was a crucial element in the system. Putting pictures of his dead body up in the papers and on the Internet and on television eliminates his legitimacy; it demonstrates to his followers and supporters that they are vulnerable to the infidels. It also eliminates a highly experienced source of leadership from their organization; this isn't a fatal wound to the insurgency, but it's a severe one, and this could very well represent a major turning point in the Iraq War.
It would have been helpful if Zarqawi could have been captured and exploited, but his death is still a critical victory in nearly every way. The momentum created by this victory is the Coalition's to lose; let's hope they continue to take the fight to the enemy, collect information with every raid, and crush the insurgency. The Iraqi people deserve freedom and safety from vile thugs like Zarqawi, and the more victories like this we have, the sooner that can happen and our troops can begin their demobilization. I believe that we will be in Iraq for a very long time; however, I also believe that the majority of that time will be in an advisory role, not as the primary security force. I eagerly await the day in which Iraq's government and security forces are able to take the helm and carve out their own destiny. I eagerly anticipate the day when we see the Iraqis as friends and allies, not as a burden that the West has to carry.
I believe that day will come, and it will come all the sooner as we continue capturing and killing despicable, evil men like Abu Musab al Zarqawi.
First and foremost, kudos to the Coalition forces that tracked him and killed him. We'd love to focus on the Air Force pilots who dropped the bombs, or the other American forces that contributed to the attack that killed Zarqawi; the truth is that this is a victory ransomed literally with the blood, sweat, and tears of many individuals from many nations. My thanks and congratulations go to all who made this possible, as well as to all of those individuals who have suffered or died as a result of Zarqawi's terror, whether directly or indirectly.
Second, I would be negligent if I didn't express some degree of regret that he couldn't have been captured alive. I understand better than anyone that a ground raid could have resulted in extreme danger for American or Iraqi personnel; still, it's unfortunate that he couldn't have been interrogated and exploited. The important part, though, is that dead or alive, he's unable to continue leading his network of thugs and hooligans.
There's been a lot of speculation about whether or not this will do anything to diminish the violence in Iraq. I think that this all depends on how the Coalition reacts to this victory. News stories indicate that they've been able to collect usable data from Zarqawi's hideout, and that they've used that intel to carry out numerous raids. Zarqawi does not represent the entire terrorist insurgency in Iraq, but he was a crucial element in the system. Putting pictures of his dead body up in the papers and on the Internet and on television eliminates his legitimacy; it demonstrates to his followers and supporters that they are vulnerable to the infidels. It also eliminates a highly experienced source of leadership from their organization; this isn't a fatal wound to the insurgency, but it's a severe one, and this could very well represent a major turning point in the Iraq War.
It would have been helpful if Zarqawi could have been captured and exploited, but his death is still a critical victory in nearly every way. The momentum created by this victory is the Coalition's to lose; let's hope they continue to take the fight to the enemy, collect information with every raid, and crush the insurgency. The Iraqi people deserve freedom and safety from vile thugs like Zarqawi, and the more victories like this we have, the sooner that can happen and our troops can begin their demobilization. I believe that we will be in Iraq for a very long time; however, I also believe that the majority of that time will be in an advisory role, not as the primary security force. I eagerly await the day in which Iraq's government and security forces are able to take the helm and carve out their own destiny. I eagerly anticipate the day when we see the Iraqis as friends and allies, not as a burden that the West has to carry.
I believe that day will come, and it will come all the sooner as we continue capturing and killing despicable, evil men like Abu Musab al Zarqawi.
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