March 31, 2008

Do Not Run From Victory

Lately in Iraq, we've seen the people of Anbar grow tired of the threats and coercion of al-Qaeda and similar terrorists, and rise up to throw them out of their neighborhoods. We've seen Moqtada al-Sadr, leader of the Mahdi army, funded by Iran, call on his forces to cease fire and admit that he has become isolated, rather than a figure the people support. These comments come in response to large-scale operations that the democratic government and national Iraqi army have planned and mounted to restore order to their nation.

Clearly things are looking better in Iraq for ordinary Iraqi citizens, and for freedom-loving persons everywhere. Terrorists are being hunted down, and the rule of law is being forged.

It is therefore odd that now that things are getting better, many people continue to advocate that we withdraw from Iraq posthaste.

There still remains much work to be done. Terrorists are on the run, but they realize this, and they are desperate to reverse the momentum in their favor. This explains the recent rise in spectacular attacks. These murderers are hoping that we will become afraid and declare the war unwinnable, despite our ability to crush them.

We are close to being able to leave Iraq in the hands of a democratic and relatively secure government, but fleeing precipitously could cause chaos, misery, and death, for millions of people. Some of those people might eventually be our own if an overhasty withdrawal allows terrorists to use Iraq as a base for a devastating attack on our shores. If, however, we remain in Iraq until our work is done, we will have shown everyone that we help our friends, eradicate evil, promote freedom, and leave people to govern themselves in peace.

All we have to do is to hold on to a hope that is nearer than ever before, and refuse to run from victory.