In Iraq people's fate are tied to the fate of America. The decisions the next president will make about U.S. troop levels and U.S. dollars being spent in Iraq will trickle down to those who live in Fallujah, Najaf, Baghdad and beyond.
A long term security agreement known as the Status of Forces Agreement has been rife with tense negotiations. The final product may fall to the next administration. Already Iraqis are now calling it the "withdrawal agreement."
Many Iraqis tell me that America broke this country and it is still shattered. When they look at their lives they see the lack of electricity, the corruption, the lack of clean water and much more. Security has improved but everything here is tenuous and violence, which has dropped but not disappeared, may come back.
Some Iraqis want Americans to leave but are afraid of what happens next, others want Americans to stay until the mess is cleaned up. But most agree that a new president in the United States doesn't necessarily mean that change in their life will come.
Below are thoughts of Iraqis on this election day:
"I care so much about the American elections because the future of Iraq depends on them. I wish that Obama wins because if he wins he will withdraw the American forces from Iraq. I'm waiting, God willing Obama will win." -- Nahla al Adhamee, 45, a Sunni Arab university lecturer at the University of Irbil in the northern region of Kurdistan.
"I feel sick of politics because the American policy will never change no matter who's president. The only thing I care about is the SOFA and I hope it is not signed because the Americans will steal all of Iraq." -- Haider al Azzawi, 38, a Shiite Arab taxi driver in eastern Baghdad
"The whole world cares about this...I expect Obama will win but I do not care about them only if Obama fulfills his promise to withdraw the American troops from Iraq and we get rid of this ugly occupation." -- Ibrahim al Azzawi, 40, a Sunni Arab mechanic in southeast Baghdad
"The American elections have no importance to me at
all. Their presidency is one thing and their policy is another, therefore there
is no real difference who wins. American foreign policy is constant. Iraqis are
not ignorant, we have seen this over the years; one president goes and another
comes and he does nothing to remedy his predecessor's mistakes only what
concerns the American people. As for people in other countries they don't count
because they don't vote." -- Aqeel Mohammed, 37, a Shiite minibus
driver from southern Baghdad
"What possible change can either of them bring? And if they do anything, it is only to the interests of their own country – not for our sake. They might "bring their boys home" and "stop spending their money in Iraq" and "let Iraqis shoulder their own responsibilities"…. Where are we in all this?
Maybe Obama would withdraw their forces – but is that good? I would be happy to see them go – but I am also afraid.
What they do, they do for themselves. -- Widad Hamid,
74, a Sunni Arab retired high school teacher from western Baghdad.
"We do follow the news, but I don't expect any change at all. I have no
faith in their promises because they say only what they think the American
people want to hear. They dissemble their own people – not others. They don't
care about the Iraqi people. It's all about their security freedoms, their
boys, their money and their democracy. American foreign policy is one line,
presidents come and go." -- Khalid Abu Abdullah, a Sunni Arab shopowner
from northern Baghdad
"The residents of Sadr city don't car about the
American presidential election, now we care only about the blocked roads and
the traffic jams...I don't think the American policy will change towards our
country," -- Khaleel Abu Ahmad, 37, a Shiite engineer from the east
Baghdad district of Sadr City.
"I care about the lack of electricity and fuel, why should I care about the American elections?" -- Ammar, 30, a Shiite Arab from Baghdad.
The US may not always be right be we try to do what IS right. Politicans are all corrupt in their own way, does not matter if its democrats or republicans, each party has their own agenda to further and trample on others. True it may be that Bush went to Iraq mostly for the oil but and that the supposed WMDs were not there but he acted on intel given to him at a time of crisis. Should we pull out of Iraq right now, why not? While were at it, lets pull our troops out of the Phillipines(and let Abu Saayf overrun the country), Japan(and let China/North Korea/Russia have their way), Europe(They can deal with the terrorists themselves) and many other places where we provide stability. The american people unfortunaly have the "instant gratification" mentality and dont realize that when converting something as big as a country takes time(not to mention undoing acts of sabotage by other countries). Would the world's opinion of us be any better if we just left Iraq to fend for themselves aganist Iran or should we commit ourselves to stabilizing their country and undoing our errors.
Posted by: USN PO2 | December 09, 2008 at 10:39 AM
The taxi driver was exactly right; "They might "bring their boys home" and "stop spending their money in Iraq" and "let Iraqis shoulder their own responsibilities"
This is exactly what should happen. The U.S. had a civil war, let the iraqis have one if need be. I'm sure that all those people were doing much better when Saddam was in power.
Posted by: Tom | December 20, 2008 at 12:53 PM
Three books affected my thinking about Iraq and Afghanistan:
Reflections on the War of the Willing. Rounds.
The Devil We Know. Baer
Confessions of an Economic Hit Man. Perkins.
Posted by: Frederic Rounds | December 28, 2008 at 02:47 PM
My son, like many young men and women, served 15+ months in Iraq, as did my sister-in-law. In the late 80's we had a chance to help, but walked away from Afganistan after they forced the Russians out, leaving the Taliban and others to prosper and grow. In the 90's we went in and said "we'll help you if you help us" (NATO) and walked away when we pushed Saddam back over his own border, leaving those that helped us to DIE for our actions. This time, we did it right. How can anyone say we are benefiting from the oil in Iraq? What fools to think that anyone is benefiting from this. Bush went into this after reports from FRANCE about WMD, the senate and congress UNANIMOUSLY voted to go to war on the same information, yet Bush is the only one to blame? Our nation has not occupied Iraq, but freed them and is still there helping them to rebuild. Better off with Saddam? That has to be the most ridiculous statement I have ever heard. He was a murderer who slaughtered his own people for his own gain. He did not care about the people of Iraq, only himself. So many of our people have lost their lives fighting for justice for a people that need our help. I am neither naive nor stupid. I am a well educated woman who has served this country as have my husband and both children. When 9/11 occurred, our country mourned and fought back. Other countries belittled us for this, yet when the zealist fractions attacked their shores and their people, they screamed for revenge. The media tells us what they want to tell us, they do not paint a complete picture, as it would not be to their benefit or agenda.
Yes, our economy is bad right now, but will reverse itself as it has over and over again. Forgetting a people long suppressed is not the answer to our economic growth, but would be assist our detractors in causing our national disgrace.
Posted by: Lora | March 09, 2009 at 12:52 AM
well i think before you comment on iraq you need to put boots on the ground i spent 2004thru 2006 in mosul, tallefar ,to really speak on iraq have some bullocks and put your asses on the front lines then you will have street cred when talking about iraq notjust talking out your ass and hiding behind your desk.
Posted by: art | March 22, 2009 at 08:04 PM