The Iraqi Day of Rage

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/25/AR2011022502781.html?hpid=topnews

The attached article is about the "Iraqi Day of Rage," which took place over here on the 25th of February. It was the latest set of uprisings by people in the Middle East against their governments. I think we all know the intent of such protests, which is to held their Government accountable-- a cornerstone of Democracy.

My Day of Rage experience started on the 23d, when we received a mission to go to a small US base near Tahir Square in Baghdad and enhance their force protection. The base has a sizeabe force of contracted guards from Sierra Leone, and the base is nestled within several key Iraqi ministries- Oil, Electricity, Interior, the Baghdad Police College, some Federal Police units, and an Iraqi Army Brigade. The base has no real "meat eating" units, only very high ranking advisors Colonels, high ranking civilians, and a General or two) assigned to advise each ministry. What prompted this enhanced force protection measure was its proximity to the International Zone (IZ) -- The thinking by the American headquarters unit here was that in case the huge masses of people couldn't get into the IZ, they would turn on other facilites, and eventually get to this small FOB.

The task to go came on a very short notice, and the Troop did a great job in hastily preparing to get there. Upon our air insertion, we did a site assessment and presented our recommendations to the base commander, a one star general. Upon approval with no objections, we conducted improvements, did recons and rehearsals, and waited for the attack of the zombies.

The attack, of course, never came. At best, 4,000 people showed up in Baghdad to protest the inaction of their government, about half the size of the regularly scheduled Moqtada al Sadr protest every Friday. Only after they demonstrated hostility did the Iraqi forces respond with nonlethal force: A water cannon, a few flash bangs, some tear gas. The entire event was over by 1700, and by all accounts (except for Washington Post reporter Stephanie McCrummen) Baghdad security forces did a pretty good job of handling it. The Iraqis never asked for help from us; in fact they told us to stay out of it and keep a low profile that day. We were left to "tactically gawk" as we watched the protests on various aerial surveillance feeds and on Al Jazeera. It barely made US news. Other cities had more issues in both the north and south. Northern Iraq is its own sort of ethnic powder keg that never is lacking for an excuse to exercise civil disobedience, and protests in the south were greater. Not sure of the "draconian" measures Stephanie McCrummen refers to-- after all we shot protestors at Kent State in the 70s, and one can look to the LA riots in the 90s and Katrina earlier this decade for similar techniques and procedures used to restore order by "civilized" nations. Aren't we doing the same thing in Wisconsin-- attempting to hold our government accountable?

But to quote an Iraqi Lieutenant Colonel on the night before the protests: "For the first time since 2003, I had power in my house for 24 straight hours." Amazing, the effort that comes out with threats of accountability.

It was interesting to watch: This was Democracy in action. I think the elected Iraqi leadership is learning Democracy is more than just being voted into office, and the Iraqi people are learning there has to be some civil disobedience to hold government accountable-- something they have never been able to do. Democracy isn't just voting- it also can occasionally involve riot dogs and firehoses. Had this protest taken place under Saddam, they all would have been killed.

Would the Iraqi people have been able to do this if we hadn't invaded in 2003 and toppled the Saddam tyrrany? Interesting topic worth debating.

While there was loss of life, I was encouraged by how the Iraqi Government handled the issue. The Basra Kirkuk, and Babil provincial governors resigned, the formed government understands that inactivity for 9 months is unacceptable by the people, and Maliki understands that he, too, must be held accountable.

Not sure we can bust out the MISSION ACCOMPLISHED banner yet, but in all I think this was a good sign.

Now the preparation for Arab League Summit begins...

Ron