by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright May 14, 2005
All Rights Reserved.

eclaring its recent military victory in the towns around the Syrian border dubbed “Operation Matador” a success, the Pentagon announced an end to the latest hot spot. Since Iraq formed its new government two weeks ago, more than 420 civilians have lost their lives. With the insurgency spiraling out of control, it's been difficult convincing a watching world that the U.S. has gotten a handle on Iraq. Chairman of the Joint-Chiefs-of-Staff Richard B. Myers insists that the frenzied pace of insurgent attacks represents last-gasp desperation for a dying cause yet admits that the insurgency won't go away anytime soon—not months, years or even decades. “Operation Matador” was supposed to liquidate Jordanian-born terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the presumed mastermind of the Iraq insurgency. Like his boss Osama bin Laden, al-Zarqawi is nowhere to be found.

      Late last year, “Operation Anaconda” in Fallujah was supposed to end insurgent resistance, interfering with Iraq's fledgling government. Six months later, “Operation Matador” cost the U.S. military nine more lives and over 40 injuries, raising the death toll to over 1,620. Estimates of foreign terrorists in Iraq have ranged for 5,000-20,000, suggesting, if nothing else, that the U.S. military has its hands full arresting a growing jihad. While Russian President Vladimir V. Putin slapped President George W. Bush's back at his compound near Moscow before celebrating VE-Day [victory over Adolf Hitler], Russian arms merchants were busy supplying Kevlar vests and nigh-vision goggles to the Syria and Iran, who, in turn, sell equipment to al-Qaida and al-Zarqawi's gang in Iraq. Despite Putin's own problems with Chechen terrorists, it's payback time for the U.S.

      Russia found out the hard way fighting a nasty war in Afghanistan, with the U.S. financing and arming Osama bin Laden and his mujahedeen fighters battling Soviet occupation in the late ‘70s. No money was spared by former President Jimmy Carter and President Ronald Reagan to grow Bin Laden's al-Qaida terror organization, as long as it fought the Soviet Union. Now Russia spares no expense to supply resources and arms to fight U.S. occupation in Iraq. Blowing up buildings and scouring terrorist nests in Western Iraq won't stop the deadly insurgency that leaves U.S. troops sitting ducks. While it's true that insurgents ran wild in Western Iraq near the Syrian border, it's also true that Iraq's porous borders have left the entire country infiltrated by foreign terrorists. Cutting off ancient smuggling routes, mass arrests and wiping out pockets of resistance won't end Iraq's insurgency.

      Fighting an invisible enemy takes its toll on U.S. forces, commissioned with the mission of ending Iraq's bloody insurgency. Today's forces find themselves in a shooting gallery, uncertain how, when, where and by whom they're going to be attacked. Soldiers in Iraq are routinely told they're fighting overseas to prevent future attacks on U.S. soil. Iraq, according to the Pentagon, is the “central front in the war on terror,” a battleground where U.S. forces take preemptive action. Yet despite chasing terrorists all over Iraq, slippery figures like Osama bin Laden and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi remain at large. Iraq's Foreign Ministry Director Jassim Mohammed Ghani fell victim outside his residence in Baghdad's al-Kharijiya district, ordinarily as safe place. When government officials begin dropping like flies, it's time to reassess whether current U.S. military operation can do the job.

      Calling the insurgency a desperate act doesn't deal with escalating violence plunging Iraq's new government into chaos. Whether stepped-up attacks come from Iraq's declaration of sovereignty has little practical effect on cubing violence. Iraqi citizens and officials alike know that the current insurgency aims to topple Iraq's new government. Greater suicide bombings suggest more foreign intervention, a bad sign for coalition troops chasing terrorists around the country. “There's a kind of axiom out there that says Iraqis aren't suicide bombers,” said Gen. George W. Casey, commander of multinational forces in Iraq. Casey believes that Islamic extremists or jihadists are responsible for maintaining chaos in Iraq. As long Iraq's border remains porous and its neighbors supply fresh arms and suicide bombers, it's going to be very difficulty stopping the insurgency.

      White House and Pentagon officials keep touting great progress citing targeted assassinations, body counts and successful military operations like “Operation Matador.” For all the vaunted success of Fallujah, somehow insurgents kept coming, replenishing ranks and shifting positions. “They're expending a lot of resources right now. We don't know how long they'll be capable of sustaining it,” said military spokesman Lt. Col. Steven Boylan, trying to find a silver lining to the growing U.S. body count. Since President Bush declared “Mission Accomplished” in May 1, 2003, the insurgency has claimed 1,485 military lives. U.S. military casualties continue to mount at as brisk clip, pointing to little reality behind Boylan's assessment. No matter what the successes, U.S. casualties continue at unacceptable levels. Even the most optimistic picture sees no end in sight.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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