Paul Gigot in Iraq

I know I'm becoming a broken record, blogging the Wall Street Journal Ed page everyday. But the more optimistic view of Iraqi reconstruction is starting to take hold, and I endeavor to push it along any way I can.
Paul Gigot travels with Paul Wolfowitz, sees the new city council in Najaf and talks to some soldiers and marines who have a different take than Peter Jennings:

The U.S. media have focused on grumbling troops who want to go home, especially the Third Infantry Division near Baghdad. And having been in the region for some 260 days, the Third ID deserves a break. But among the troops I saw, morale remains remarkably high. To a soldier, they say the Iraqis want us here. They also explain their mission in a way that the American pundit class could stand to hear.
"I tell my troops every day that what we're doing is every bit as important as World War II," says one colonel, a brigade commander, in the 101st. "The chance to create a stable Iraq could help our security for the next 40 or 50 years." A one-star general in the same unit explains that his father served three tours in Vietnam and ultimately turned against that war. But what the 101st is doing "is a classic anti-insurgency campaign" to prevent something similar here.

Thanks to all who wear the uniform!

Posted by jk at July 28, 2003 01:41 PM