Connie Lawn’s 10th Kiwi Blog – July First, 2009

The end of June was a day of public celebration for many in Iraq. They danced and sang in the streets, and professed to be overjoyed that American troops are largely leaving the cities. But, it was not all joy. Another homicide bomb went off in Kirkuk, leaving scores dead and maimed. Four more American soldiers were killed in Iraq.

The American operation began 6 years ago, in 2003. It lasted longer than World War Two. 100,000 Iraqis are estimated to have died, and they are still killing each other in sectarian violence. The Pentagon says at least 4, 321 Americans died, and over 33,000 are reported wounded. These numbers in this Iraqi War (Invasion, or Intervention) are staggering. Behind every number is a living human being who left behind loved ones. Thousands of others who survived were injured for life. The wounds are physical and mental, in the form of post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.

At the height of the “Surge” there were 170,000 American troops in Iraq. At this time, there are about 131,000. They are now in bases around the big cities. Some troops are with many other Americans in Baghdad’s “Green Zone.” The goal is to get most American troops out of Iraq by the end of 2011 but many will be in nearby countries, and could return if needed. Some will remain to assist in training, intelligence, and security for the diplomats in the Green Zone. Some of those roles will also be filled by private security contractors.

The US soldiers who leave Iraq have little respite. Many go onto dangerous deployments in Afghanistan and South Korea. If they are lucky, they get a short visit home with loved ones. If they are wounded, that visit can last for months or years of painful surgery and rehabilitation.

In the end, what was accomplished? No weapons of mass destruction were found. Saddam Hussein was overthrown and executed, as were some of his henchmen. It is unclear if and when a stable, unified democracy will emerge in Iraq. In the meantime Iran has grown stronger, although it is in a state of chaos. Al Qaeda and the Taliban are strong in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The American economy has suffered terribly, due in part to war strains. That collapse has hurt New Zealand and many other nations.

In the midst of all this, Iraq held an auction for its oil. So far, the auction has not gone well. But, it reminds the world what this war was all about after all.

Connie Lawn has a passionate love for NZ. She worked for Radio New Zealand for 20 years, and then for Radio Live for a few years. Connie has covered the White House and the world since 1968. Her other passion is skiing, and she calls herself "the skiing White House reporter." Her ski stories are on dcski.com and other outlets. Connie is also heard on thousands of radio stations, but firmly believes the internet is the future. She can be reached at connie@scoop.co.nz

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