Can Iraq Really Get Tough?

"If the Iraqi government does not follow through on its promises, it will lose the support of the American people — and it will lose the support of the Iraqi people...The Prime Minister understands this" - President George W. Bush, 10 January 2007

Let us hope that the Iraqi Prime Minister understands the situatiion in his country - lest his fate will be similar to that of the late former president, Saddam Hussein.

In tonight's address to the nation [full transcript], President Bush acknowledged his full responsibility for the mistakes made in Iraq. He made it clear that the Iraqi government and the Iraqi people needed to take more responsibility for their own destiny. He also acknowledged it would probably be too difficult without a little extra help from 20,000 additional U.S. troops.

Both Prime Minister Maliki and President Bush have declared that the sectarian and political violence that has been ripping Iraq apart will no longer be tolerated. It's about damned time. Much bloodshed could have been avoided if this had been the official policy all along. Hopefully it's not too little too late.

This has been an unpopular war. But that's not President Bush's fault. He sincerely committed us and other nations to go in and liberate the Iraqi people. With the exception of the U.K. (who's now faltering in their support), our allies have given meager support, both militarily and in helping reconstruct Iraq. Even the so-called-almighty UN bailed out completely after the horrific bombing of their headquarters in Baghdad. Despite all that, Saddam Hussein was forced out of office and was eventually captured - mission accomplished! And Saddam was made to answer for a mere fraction of his crimes against humanity - at the hands of the Iraqi people.

Al-Qaeda and other radical Islamists decided to take advantage of the fog of war and fog it up even more. Add to that mix certain factions within Iraq who took advantage of the absence of the tyrannical Ba'ath regime. These are people who do not follow rules of engagement or abide by the Geneva Convention. They fight dirty. Americans typically do not. And when those few do, they get crucified in the world press for it. If America was truly bloodthirsty and uncaring, we could end this war in a matter of minutes.

I do not like this war, not one bit. But we cannot allow Iraq fall into the hands of an extremist regime - that would put the entire world at risk. Nor can we allow the war to be conducted in the manner that it has. The Iraqis have to get tough. We need to help them. Perhaps just toughening up the rules of engagement would be enough. I personally would even go as far as unconditional surrender.

Yes, this is an unpopular war. And President Bush has just gone double-or-nothing.