THE MYTH OF VICTORY

We often hear some talk of victory in Iraq while others will insist that cannot happen. Both sides of the discussion will offer up all the needed arguments to support their positions. Is it possible for us to achieve victory in Iraq? If victory is attainable what will it look like?

The United States was victorious in our war with England for independence. Victory was easy to describe for we had a nation to show for it. We even defended this victory with the outcome of the War of 1812 when England tried to reel us back in.

The Mexican War saw the United States victorious 30 years later. That victory was also easy to define and it stretched from Texas to California. Our battle with illegal immigration can be traced back to that event and earlier. One day history may even declare Mexico as the victors of that war.

The Spanish-American War at the end of the 19th Century also had the acquisition of territory as its gauge for victory. Ever hear of the Philippines or Cuba or Puerto Rico? The United States becomes larger with each battlefield victory. We still have claim Puerto Rico and a piece of Cuba, home for the huge Guantanamo Bay facility.

World War I saw us join other powers to battle a coalition of enemies. The Allies would fight the Axis powers until one side gave up or surrendered. We are victorious and require Germany to give up its army, navy and war making ability. Victory is ours. (Some parallels exist here in our disbanding of the Iraqi Army and I will visit that at another time.)

World War II coined the phrase unconditional surrender. Victory would be defined as the total capitulation of the Nazi's and their allies. We achieved this victory in Europe and Japan.

Was this our last victory? Korea and Vietnam do not seem to meet any criteria of victory. Even Panama seems to accept the possibility of Noriega returning. He is up for release soon. The First Gulf War sowed the seeds for a regional distaste for the United States and in the view of some the rise of Al Queda in Saudi Arabia. Most of the September 11th hijackers were Saudi. At best the First Gulf War was a queasy victory.

This brings us to Iraq. The United States does not want territory from this action or oil either. If we wanted the oil we would have already taken it. We do not want to destroy the Shia Madhi Army, we also could have done that. We are even now providing some Sunni groups with weapons that have already been shown to be used against our forces. We strive for little collateral damage in Iraq when during WW I and WW II collateral damage was a strategic part of our fight for victory.

Under today's political pressure, strict guidelines placed on out military, and no desire for the spoils of war, victory as we know it is probably unattainable in Iraq. So please someone describe for me what a "victory" in Iraq would look like.