There’s a lot to talk about these days. The nightmare in the Gulf has consumed a lot of real estate in my brain. So while I was catching up on the state of world and American affairs, a recent New York Times article flagged a neglected aspect in our national discourse on our withdrawal from Iraq.
The American reconstruction authorities decided, however, that the first big rebuilding project to win hearts and minds would be a citywide sewage treatment system.
Now, after more than six years of work, $104 million spent, and without having connected a single house, American reconstruction officials have decided to leave the troubled system only partly finished, infuriating many city residents.
Additionally, The Prospect’s Courtney Martin raised another valid point:
Iraqi citizens shouldn’t be the only ones infuriated by our military’s half-assed effort to rebuild a nation that we so righteously destroyed not so long ago. Americans should also be outraged. We should be fuming. This war was fought in our names, and now shoddy infrastructure and broken promises will be our legacy. We should be calling our political representatives and demanding that the U.S. military finish what it started in Iraq and implement a long-term plan for incorporating nation-building practices effectively and ethically.
Still, I can’t help but weigh some critical path items that have prevented completion of these projects. Money isn’t everything. And yes, we should be upset about all of our over leveraged assets (personnel, lives, tax dollars) engaged in an ongoing effort that many of us questioned from its inception, but is anyone that surprised? Who recalls the details of a reconstruction and rebuilding plan once regime change occurred and the nation was secure? Our overstretched military reduced troop presence in Afghanistan, while operating in a universe where they’ve had next to no civilian support. Their job? Secure the nation, defeat insurgents, protect the lives of Iraqi people and themselves, rebuild roads, build water/sewer treatment facilities, build/replace power grid, rebuild housing, train local militia, protect rising political leaders, deactivate IUDs, build checkpoints, conduct night patrols, repair and promote America’s image… During the Bush years, as we’ve all come to learn, the State Department was crippled by lack of funding and staff. That civilian force was critical in working with the Iraqis to build capacity to manage their local and national governments. And since Obama’s taken office, we’re slowly seeing a reversal of that stance, only to be stymied by Republican opposition in appointments. Whereas the Bush Administration’s tact to rebuilding Iraq was blind faith in the efficiency of the military and the holy competency of private corporations. Continue reading »
