By Tobias Ziegler
“NOTHING TO SEE HERE“: More than a year after Andrew Bolt did the same, Tim Blair tells us that the war in Iraq has been won. Tim notes that the three American broadcast TV networks will no longer have full-time correspondents in Iraq:
Which is as clear a sign as any that the war is over and coalition forces have won.
There has certainly been a sharp downturn in the level of violence in Iraq this year – a product of both the troop surge and the “Sons of Iraq” programme that turned Sunni insurgents into paid security forces.
But are we really at a point where, as tim tells us, “Good news is no news”? Consider these figures:
- Yesterday, the Australian noted that Iraq Body Count’s figures show a decline in the number of Iraqi civilian deaths from violence – from a peak of 76 per day in 2006, down to 25 per day in 2008. But that is hardly “nothing” – in this successful year, an average of ten Iraqis per day were killed by car and suicide bombings, while 14 per day were killed by bullets or execution. Overall, thousands of Iraqi citizens (including almost one thousand police officers) died violent deaths in 2008.
- The Iraq Coalition Casualty Count indicates that at least a dozen coalition troops have been killed in each month of this year. Overall, the average daily casualty rate in the “post-surge” period (i.e., since 20th July this year) has been 0.59 – in other words, one US, UK or other coalition soldier dies, on average, every two or three days in Iraq now that “the war is over”. The vast majority of those casualties are American.
Whether or not the war has been won, the peace certainly has not. Iraq remains in a precarious situation, and there are important questions remaining about whether the military, political and economic pieces leading to the current (relative) stability will hold. American troops remain in harm’s way, and although they will gradually be withdrawn from active operations under the recently-approved Status of Forces Agreement, it seems unlikely that we have seen the last coalition casualties.
General David Petraeus himself noted that it does not make sense to talk about victory in Iraq, but that doesn’t stop the Blairs and Bolts of the world from saying “we won!” over and over again. At the same time, they claim that the Left and the media don’t want to talk about Iraq any more, because the news is good.
I hope that the US and Australian media will continue to pay careful attention to Iraq, even as other conflicts in the Middle East and Afghanistan compete for our attention. I hope we reach a point where there is truly nothing to report after the years of turmoil. But I don’t believe we are at that point yet.
UPDATE: tim’s description of Iraq today – “boringly safe“. So boringly safe that, in the two weeks since the process of handing over to the Iraqi military, five more US troops have died, two of them in hostile incidents. Not to mention 86 Iraqi civilians and 49 members of the Iraqi security forces. That’s 140 deaths as the fourteenth day of the year dawns. Boringly safe indeed.
41 Comments
30 December, 2008 at 2:00 pm
The Professional Idiot has gone on yet another Bush-length holiday, so somebody has to pick up “We’ve Won!” cheerleading, because there’s not much of it about. At least, not from diggers who’ve done two tours of Iraq. You know, people who’ve actually spent time in Iraq, dealing with the fallout from one of the most spectacularly fucked post-invasion American war plans in history.
From what I understand, journalists from The Daily Telegraph, like Tim, have what basically amounts to an open invitation from the Australian Army to visit Iraq. He likes to claim his CNN reporter “mate” Michael Ware is “wrong” about what’s happened, and is still happening, in Iraq, even though Ware accurately predicted the Americans would have to hand over tens of millions of dollars to Iraqis to stop them killing American soldiers.
Tim is now a Celebrity Correspondent for the Daily Telegraph, so obviously he knows more about the reality of Iraq than an Iraq War Correspondent, like Ware, who has reported from all corners of Iraq for the past near six years.
Maybe Tim’s waiting until Disneyland Baghdad opens before he packs his bags, or maybe he’s waiting for Paris Hilton too go on an economy-saving spending spree in the Fallujah high street, so he can tag along.
30 December, 2008 at 6:32 pm
“Tim notes that the three American broadcast TV networks will no longer have full-time correspondents in Iraq:
“Which is as clear a sign as any that the war is ovr and coalition forces have won.”
Yeah, about as clear as mud. Peace would be a clear as sign as any. Peace without tens of thousands of troops enforcing peace.
30 December, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Timbaleena’s advocating a “declare-victory-and-go-home” strategy?
Of course he isn’t.
But it’s easy to get that impression. As his blogposts. Aren’t long enough. To convey nuance. Or. Even. Sarcasm. These. Days.
31 December, 2008 at 9:10 am
I suppose when you cheer-squad for an illegal war, declaring those against it as being on the side of terrorists you have to keep declaring victory to keep face. this is just another one of those black and white stances rightards love to adopt: TV networks leave iraq, therefore war won. the real scenario is far from rosy or as clear cut.
31 December, 2008 at 9:15 am
“you have to keep declaring victory to keep face. ”
If one had any credibility in the first place ;0) Tim Blair, internet tough guy has none.
Happy new year Blair/Boltwatch bloggers.
31 December, 2008 at 10:03 am
happy new year to you Rob. my 2009 resolution is to ignore Rad. no more falling victim to trolls wanting to deflect away from the actual discussion!
31 December, 2008 at 11:21 am
I’m about to head off for NYE celebrations, so Happy New Year BBwatchers!
1 January, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Happy New Year 2009 troops. May we find victory over B1 and B2 in 2009.
2 January, 2009 at 8:38 am
Can we give a (dis)honourable mention on this topic to another Murderoch minion, Janet (Concrete Blonde) Albrechtson?
Wading into the quagmire to keep the Moron flag fluttering, however fitfully in the absence of Rusty, she cites as further proof “of democratic values taking root” the Shoe Thrower.
ibid. “Iraquis had to wait until SaddamH was dead before they threw shoes (elsewhere deemed “..(a) peurile… form of expression”) en masse at his toppling statue.”
Err… no, that PR clip (wrapping “the flag from the Twin Towers..!” around the head) had about 30 extras, carefully cropped & filmed on day 3 of the Invasion.
Still, Murderorc’s polemicists have never been troubled by facts.
3 January, 2009 at 2:11 pm
[...] 3 January, 2009 by Tobias Ziegler tim says, “the war is over and coalition forces have [...]
5 January, 2009 at 7:48 am
So here we sit with the United Nations doing it`s normal thing of sitting in great halls, talking bollocks, not deciding what they cant disagree about, while Gaza burns, and Zimbabwe and Tibet just disvolve into the things we used to care about, and in the mean time the Yellowstone Park reminds us that we are just seconds from a Earth event that will remind us it`s Us against It….Oh Happy New Year.
5 January, 2009 at 8:04 am
“while Gaza burns”
5 January, 2009 at 8:07 am
“while Gaza burns”
While the US uses it’s veto to ensure that Israel is never condemned for the practice of collective punishment.
It seems to me that the right who frequently highlight the ineffectiveness of the UNSC don’t actually understand how it works. If it weren’t for UNSC members consistently vetoing resolutions the UN itself could be a very effective body for enforcing peace.
5 January, 2009 at 9:48 am
You guys and gals crack me up, what a frustrated bunch you seem to be.
Tim and Andrew have you all well pegged and you’re all easy targets – it seems to the casual observer, that anything either of them says – you all disagree violently with, to the point of stupidity.
The war is over, the cleaning up is going on – but face it, it’s over .. take a deep breath, move on with your sad little lives.
People will disagree with what you think, and that’s OK you’ll find as you grow up and mature. What is immature is your constant anger at anyone daring to have a different opinion – get over it kiddies!
5 January, 2009 at 10:23 am
“you all disagree violently with”
Heh, at least we don’t attempt to incite violence, like internet tough guy Tim Blair.
Besides, we disagree, we use words to do it, nothing violent about it. Violence is like what’s going on in Baghdad, since you don’t seem to understand the word. ;0)
5 January, 2009 at 11:39 am
Here you go Astronomer:
“For the second time in four days, the United States has quashed an attempted United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate end to the war in the Gaza Strip. After the latest rejection, US envoy Alejandro Wolff declared that there was “no point” in the statement, because Hamas (who has previously suggested openness to a ceasefire) would never abide by it. ”
I’d post the link but it would get stuck in moderation, the US yet again single handedly stymies the UN.
Prior to the US latest bullshit excuse to veto any UN resolution:
“The previous draft resolution also called for “an immediate ceasefire and for its full respect by both sides,” which the United States condemned as “one-sided.” The new draft seemed aimed at answering those concerns, as the British government suggested everyone was open to a resolution if the terms were right.”
You’re right, the UN is useless, and it’s currently useless because of the US veto.
5 January, 2009 at 11:40 am
Wolf fgoes on:
“Wolff added that it was unacceptable for the council to equate the killing of civilians by the Israeli government with the killing of civilians by Hamas”
Why? Is it because Israel kills at a rate of 100 to 1?
5 January, 2009 at 11:46 am
Rob J – “Besides, we disagree, we use words to do it, nothing violent about it.” it’s an adverb you’re disagreeing with the placement of .. I guess when you’re in such a loser’s position it’s all you can do.
Of course the left is never physically violent, is that what you’re saying, you really are foolish aren’t you?
In a word – this entire Blog is ..
Impotent.
5 January, 2009 at 11:54 am
“Of course the left is never physically violent,”
There you go with your stupid labels. Personally I reject violence for the best part, I’m not a pacifist, I believe in the right of self defence (which means reasonable force, if you didn’t already know)
“I guess when you’re in such a loser’s position it’s all you can do”
What have I lost? I suppose you think the death and destruction in Iraq is but a game that you can use to score irrelevant political points?
“In a word – this entire Blog is ..
Impotent.”
So why participate? Clearly you have nothing to contribute.
BTW – I notice you ignore the fact that Blair likes to act tough and incite violence. Why is that? A bit of a hero of yours is he?
5 January, 2009 at 1:37 pm
You guys and gals crack me up, what a frustrated bunch you seem to be.
Tim and Andrew have you all well pegged and you’re all easy targets – it seems to the casual observer, that anything either of them says – you all disagree violently with, to the point of stupidity
So True.
This Blog site has gone down hill. There is no intellectual debate anymore. It is full of trolls.
5 January, 2009 at 5:51 pm
There is no intellectual debate anymore. It is full of trolls.
Mate, that would be Rob and his merry gang of trolls.
6 January, 2009 at 5:55 am
Ghengis ( and your other refugees from timmys and andys home of the violent right )……….if the Iraq war is over why have they said the same thing for the past couple of years, ” the war is won “…….it’s like they are trying to convince thenselves it is won.
6 January, 2009 at 5:57 am
Talking about trolls, where’s Rad got to?
Still think Rad is Bolt in drag……soon as Bolt goes on hols Rad disappears!
6 January, 2009 at 6:35 am
“soon as Bolt goes on hols Rad disappears!”
Seriously, Bolt isn’t that stupid.
6 January, 2009 at 8:05 am
“The war is over, the cleaning up is going on – but face it, it’s over”
last sunday 40 people were killed by a suicide bomber and 72 injured – at least 16 of the dead were shiite pilgrims.
on friday 24 tribal leaders were killed by a suicide bomber at a meeting of leaders and members of awakening councils, government allies against al qaeda.
just after xmas a car bomb killed another 25 or so people injuring 46 as well.
all this goes on with well over 100,000 US troops in Iraq. you can call this ‘victory’, but we more sensible people are far less deluded. Geoff is right that timmy and andy always go on about the war been won only because they need to convince themselves and not lose face because they ridiculed people who were opposed to it and were staunch defenders of an illegal war.
it’s a shame you aren’t more discerning about what ‘news’ you choose to believe, esp when it comes from lazy, incompetent, ideologically driven hacks like bolt and blair.
“In a word – this entire Blog is ..Impotent.”
for an impotent blog it still seems to attract a fair number of people who can’t wait to post here to describe it as such. interesting.
6 January, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Apparently: Bush to honour ‘man of steel’ Howard
What would the card say? Perhaps:
“Thanks for providing some feeble legitimacy to my military misadventure. Sure, we f’d it up completely but, boy, we had some fun didn’t we? And what better than some sort of military excursion to really underscore you time in office, eh Johnny? Yep, you stuck with me and we stuck it up em!”
6 January, 2009 at 1:11 pm
I see Tony Blair is getting one as well, apparently previous recipients include John Wayne and Frank Sinatra.
“Medal of Freedom” A tad ironic considering John Howard was prepared to and did lock up the children of asylum seekers indefinitely. Let Hicks fester for five years at Guantanamo bay for five years without charge. (only intervened when it was politically expedient).
If I were Bush, I’d be honouring the poodle too.
6 January, 2009 at 7:36 pm
“soon as Bolt goes on hols Rad disappears!”
I was starting to think he was a news ltd moderator who was multi tasking. If you want to find Bolt sheep looking for a home just go through any News Ltd blog with the word Rudd or Green. They can’t help themselves. They just repeat what they say on the Bolt blog and look waaay out of place.
Seriously, Bolt isn’t that stupid.
But isn’t assuming everyone else is too stupid to see through you kinda … errr … stupid. Like declaring victory where there is none. Like saying the left are the real racists. etc.
Tim and Andrew have you all well pegged and you’re all easy targets …
The only thing Tim has pegged is his dick to his hand. Did anyone see his attack of the “green youth” video. That whole blog made me feel squemish. It was just a bunch of nasty old men being mean to kids – and thinking they are sooo cool – how pathetic. Grow up Tim.
6 January, 2009 at 8:14 pm
The Blairians also spent plenty of time comparing the ‘green youth’ to the Hitler youth, there were also more calls for violence against university students.
Both Blair and Bolt will be trying to flog the ‘Green Terrorism’ meme this year, as hard as they can, while their bosses continue to crow about their Corporate Green credentials. As part of News Limited’s One Degree (Corporate Green) anti-climate change campaign, they are going to be stuffing their staffers not into taxis but Green Tomato Cars. I saw one yesterday, it was a Prius. Blair wouldn’t dare tell his readers this, of course.
6 January, 2009 at 8:55 pm
“The war is over, the cleaning up is going on”
Hey, ‘Ghengis’, promise us you’ll change your screenname when you start screaming about BARACK HUSSEIN OSAMA losing Iraq to the islamofascists in the next year or two.
It wouldn’t do to look like you ever supported a ‘Potemkin Village’ victory-in-Iraq.
‘Coz you obviously don’t have the brainpower to convince anyone that you knew all along W’s victory was a sham.
6 January, 2009 at 9:10 pm
I love the green terrorism sales pitch, how are they gonna make that one stick? Impossible, but I have no doubt that they will try. The problem with the terrorism line is that no one buys it now. As soon as the word terrorism is said everyone tunes out.
Re Green Youth = Hitler Youth. I think you mentioned in an earlier post Darryl about ASIO watching the blogs – It makes sense with all the violence B1 & B2 try and stir up. The thing that really goes against the Blairites is that when you watch the green/hitler video it just looks like a bunch of well dressed polite kids. And then to project so much hate onto them in the comments is not right. Blind Freddy can see that they are a bunch of losers.
7 January, 2009 at 3:26 am
To shoot fish in a barrel is nothing you wanna celebrate. Yet we sit here and let shit happen in Zim and Tib, But they arent trendy things to give an arse about. We must look at ourself`s before we dictate our standards on the rest of the planet. And at the end of the day you will eventually realise that no one gives a f*ck about anything, as long as iam alright Jack, pull the ladder up. And if you dont realise that, then you better do your homework, because there`s no-one to pull the ladder up apart from you.
7 January, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Obama has to stay in a hotel, because Howard is booked into Blair House. LOL – I bet Howard is happy about that, he’s made it clear what he thinks of Obama with his idiotic statement last year.
I also noticed that when Howard was being interviewed on Radio National yesterday, he was fine, the interview was going well until the subject of Obama came up, all of a sudden Howard started to sound uncomfortable. I wonder why? ;o)
Freedom Medal – what a joke. I notice that a lot of the media are referring to it as a ‘peace’ medal, which brings me back on topic, he doesn’t qualify for a peace medal either…..Iraq! Awarding Howard pretty much devalues any prestige that these awards may have held.
7 January, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Freedom Medal – what a joke. I notice that a lot of the media are referring to it as a ‘peace’ medal, which brings me back on topic, he doesn’t qualify for a peace medal either…..Iraq! Awarding Howard pretty much devalues any prestige that these awards may have held
It just eats you up inside that Howard is getting awarded the same medal that has been awarded to the likes of Nelson Mandela. The highest honour that can be awarded by the US Government to a non USA citizen.
I bet Rudd is ravenous with jealousy given that there is now no hope in hell that he will ever get awarded a freedom Medal. Especially after his school ground antics over Bush and the G20.
7 January, 2009 at 5:54 pm
“Freedom Medal – what a joke.”
just like everything GWB touches, it’s turned to shit. the medal of freedom is just the latest in a long line of bush fuckups along with how the US is viewed in the world, its economy, Iraq and war on terror.
funny but, Columbian president Uribe has also been awarded (another bush fuckup?). how appropriate that howard wins the award in the same year as a dodgy former columbian senator who the US claimed had links to pablo escobar and the medellin cartel.
7 January, 2009 at 6:02 pm
“It just eats you up inside that Howard is getting awarded the same medal that has been awarded to the likes of Nelson Mandela”
What, Mandela, the guy Cheney has never recanted from calling a terrorist? Rather cheapens the PMoF in our glorious crusade against bad’uns.
“I bet Rudd is ravenous with jealousy given that there is now no hope in hell that he will ever get awarded a freedom Medal”
You’re delusional if you think Rudd is jealous about a bauble handed out by the man who will go down in history as the weakest and least-respected two-term prez. If Howard was getting a Nobel, sure, but that’s not very likely, is it?
BTW, Bush recently gave a glittering decoration to Barbra Streisand. Considering your hissy-fits here, Rad, I guess this means you’re green with envy that Babs is the diva to receive an honor from your beloved.
7 January, 2009 at 6:26 pm
a brilliant quote that sum up andy and timmy and the Iraq war cheersquadders:
“The longer I observe the neocons the more I realize that for many of them, war is a natural state of being, even a vocation. Some actually view a martial society as more noble than a peaceful one, and believe in war as both morally good and socially beneficial. I am much more interested in conservatism as a temperament that recoils from violence, rather than being attracted to it. And while I see war as a necessary evil, I have been forced by the Iraq debacle into a much better grasp of its limits and its potential for catastrophe. Others seem emboldened by an occupation they are now declaring a ’success’.”
Andrew Sullivan 6 Jan 2008
14 January, 2009 at 6:03 am
UPDATE: tim’s description of Iraq today – “boringly safe“. So boringly safe that, in the two weeks since the process of handing over to the Iraqi military, five more US troops have died, two of them in hostile incidents. Not to mention 86 Iraqi civilians and 49 members of the Iraqi security forces. That’s 140 deaths as the fourteenth day of the year dawns. Boringly safe indeed.
18 January, 2009 at 7:49 pm
yay Victory!!!
Check out this image from the victory celebrations on the streets of Bahgdad:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F6c00HkjspY/SXIZb7PUdOI/AAAAAAAABHg/J0ZrV341sEU/s1600-h/baghdad+street.jpg
Taste the surge of F-R-E-E-D-O-M !!!!
19 January, 2009 at 11:03 am
One wonders why Blooter and Timmeh didn’t take their Christmas holidays in Baghdad? It would have been very instructional for the kids, to have seen how an imposed democracy works.
19 January, 2009 at 12:17 pm
More:
http://subtopia.blogspot.com/2009/01/baghdads-post-blast-wall-bibliothque.html
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