Call to get US marines off the streets; attacking Iran will be terrible mistake: Former US Commander in Chief

Iraqis can take some solace from the fact that violence is showing some signs of respite with the number of civilians killed in September 2011 fell to 110 from 155 in August. In May this year, a total of 102 civilians died, even as this has been the lowest figure in 2011.  

Iraq has a long way to go in rebuilding its war-torn infrastructure. In April this year, the Iraqi Cabinet approved $37-billion program to upgrade its infrastructure. Of the $37b, a whopping $10-billion has been allocated to transport infrastructure.

Iraq’s security apparatus leaves a lot to be desired. The alleged peneration of some Baathist elements (Saddam loyalists) into the security apparatus has made the situation even more worse.

More importantly, the country has been found wanting when it comes to attracting foreign investors.

The onus is now on the current government to create a conducive economic atmosphere for foreign investors, who are within the region. There are a number of well-known regional players which definitely will capitalize on the investment opportunities provided they are extended stability and security blanket.  

Violence and lack of stability in the country have left ordinary Iraqis frustrated. I interviewed many Iraqis who seemed to be disenchanted with the state of the affairs post-Saddam Hussein.

They were unequivocal in saying that they enjoyed security and stability during Saddam’s regime, besides uninterrupted flow of running water and electricity. This, they said, was a far cry under the present regime.

Joseph Hoar, Former US Commander in Chief

A person who is well-versed in the Middle East affairs, and particularly Iraq is none other than Joseph Hoar, the Former Commander in Chief of the United States Central Command.

During his visit to the Gulf, I interviewed Joseph on the sidelines of a security related conference where he was one of the speakers and kept the audience enthused with his witty remarks.

Joseph was charmingly forthcoming in his replies during the interview, and fielded a range of questions ranging from US troops drawdown, Iran to sectarian violence.

He opposed the idea of American soldiers manning the checkpoints in Iraq, noting a premature withdrawal of the US troops from Iraq would be seen as a defeat to America.

Replying to a question, Joseph noted that any decision to attack Iran would be a "terrible mistake" and that the Americans had important issues to deal with.

He affirmed that the US went to war with Iraq on a false pretext, and that there were no weapons of mass destructions in Iraq.

Stretching the point further, he quipped: “The American people were misled on Iraq.”