Iraq and Afghanistan

In comments on the war, there is often little attention played to the number of Iraqis who are dying, particular as a result of insurgent action. The Times reports that in one recent week 208 Iraqis were killed compared to 23 American military. Perhaps half the 208 were killed by American military action (targeted insurgents and civilians combined). The other half are divided between casualties among the Iraqi security services targeted by the insurgents and civilians killed in the course of insurgent “cause havoc” actions (particularly suicide bombings). In addition there are the kidnappings, either for profit or ideology — sometimes both. The latest is that of the director of CARE in Iraq. What is important to the cause of peace and stability in Iraq is the reaction of the Iraqi people to all this. Some surely condemn many of our bombing attacks that inadvertently kill civilians. They also condemn both America and the Allawi government for our inability to stop the killing. But many civilians are also bound to condemn insurgent attacks that seem to have little purpose other than killing civilians. These may be targeted civilians or just persons in the wrong place at the wrong time. So it would seem to an outside observer that in many cases the insurgent attacks, particularly the suicide bombers are counterproductive. It is said that many Iraqis believe these are the work of outside Islamists, because they do not believe real Iraqis would kill so indiscriminately.