The war in Iraq has reached a sad milestone: the death of four thousand military personnel. The war continues and each day there are news stories and television reports of recent tragedies. The politicians argue about whether to push on or whether to withdraw the troops. Each faction believes in the correctness of their position and believes fervently.
One persistent argument is that this war must be won. However, that statement is not expanded. What constitutes victory? In some previous armed conflicts, victory meant that one side surrendered. The leaders surrendered. Peace treaties and economic agreements were signed. One side conquered more land. More cities were seized. And one side had more casualties.
However, this is not that kind of war. It matters not what cities are taken or what leaders are displaced. This war is a religious conflict. It is not a conflict based on economic doctrine or fanatical leadership. It is a conflict based on what is sacred. Each side invokes the god that they know. One faction’s heroes are the other faction’s terrorists.
It is five years that the war in Iraq has raged. Soon, a first grade student will have grown up completely in a war culture. Will their lifetime be defined by war? It might be if this conflict continues forward to a victory that is difficult, if not impossible, to define. What might be less nebulous is defining the peace. And perhaps a simple place to start is a day when no one dies - on either side.
Catherine Forsythe
Director of Operations
FlyingHamster
