The Clash in Iraq: Stay or Go Now?

Stay or Go, by The Clash came on my ipod and thought of how the lyrics fit the US situation in Iraq, so I was gonna write a little something after posting the lyrics and some pictures. Once again I've drifted into "Op-Ed" territory which I really don't want to do, but as long as it's interesting and not incendiary it will keep me going, as well as my slowly growing number of blog readers. As much as I support our new president, sometimes I fear he may have too much food on his plate. Time will tell. Hope is good, change can be too, but it's only the start.

Darling you gotta let me know
Should I stay or should I go?
If you say that you are mine
Ill be here til the end of time
So you got to let know
Should I stay or should I go?

Always tease tease tease
You're happy when I'm on my knees
One day is fine, next is black
So if you want me off your back
Well come on and let me know
Should I stay or should I go?

Should I stay or should I go now?
Should I stay or should I go now?
If I go there will be trouble
An if I stay it will be double
So come on and let me know

This indecision's bugging me
If you don't want me, set me free
Exactly whom I'm supposed to be
Don't you know which clothes even fit me?
Come on and let me know


Should I cool it or should I blow?
Should I stay or should I go now?
If I go there will be trouble
And if I stay it will be double
So you gotta let me know
Should I stay or should I go?

Here in Diwaniya, and in Baghdad, I've spoken with Iraqis who speak english and listened to conversations with locals through an interpreter. I've taken a couple opportunities to conduct my own short interview with IPs and interpreters themselves. There is a huge concern about us ending our occupation now. "Milan" who's uncle was killed by the government under Saddam feels 5 more years are needed at least. It's as if the first phase of the handover is now a success, but we're only one third of the way to complete Iraqi independence. I have asked Milan and IPs if their fear of new violence is because of tribal frictions, or outside terrorism returning to their country. The answer is always both. As well, Iran is apparently waiting on a near branch for the nest to go unattended. I've coupled things I've heard officially and items in the news that seem to confirm the Iranian government is courting Iraq's leaders both on the surface, and in the underground clandestine organizations that carry out the violence.

The other side of the coin is the fact that we came here without full justification, we have killed and been killed, destroyed and reconstructed, embargoed and then imported goods. Helped set up a new government and elections, and now as the government's interior solidifies it seems like the right time to go. The undeniable truth is that we can't stay forever and Iraq will have to defend and strengthen itself independently at some point.

Before I deployed, I strongly felt that the war was completely wrong and that America should leave as soon as possible. Since I've been here America has elected President Obama who promises to withdraw troops responsibly and at this point it seems to me that that's what he plans to do. I've come to know people here and while I develop a real hope and concern for their future I become more confused and unclear about how I feel. I don't want to see full scale war come back to life in the wake of our departure.

It would be the ultimate irony of dark karma to see Iran rise up in Iraq when the fear of that very thing which led the USA to suppling arms to Saddam in the '80s. The very same weapons we originally came here to rid the region of, only to eventually destabilize the border enough to cause an opening for Iran.

There is no easy or obvious solution. For now I just do what I'm told as a soldier, and what I need to as a medic, and wait to see what happens next. One notion is the you break it you buy it concept. Since we did come here and stir up the pot it's our duty to stay till the soup cools. So for now, lets all pray for gazpacho.