The Sandtrap

[Ivo Skoric]

The Coalition, that defied the world, is now on the outskirts of 
Bhagdad. Leaving behind the easily destroyable bridges of Eufrates 
river and thoroughly mined estuary through which their supplies and 
logistics would need to arrive. Not a single city in Iraq yet fell to the 
coalition forces. Saddam is still on Iraqi TV, glowingly announcing 
how the US and UK had run full speed into his trap. The US 
managed to shoot down one UK fighter plane, lost 1 helicopter to 
Iraqis and shot down a Syrian bus full of civilians. US media are 
marching ahead of its armies, proclaiming victory where it is hard 
to assess even the casualty rate. No weapons of mass destruction 
had been found, or sought. So far, the goals were to secure the 
resupply port, the oil wells, and to capture Iraqi TV. Suggesting the 
real purpose of this war. Humanitarian aspect is used as a method: 
cities are offered aid first - if their population lay down their 
weapons. That strategy did not yet produce much results. The US 
moved to secure Iraqi-Turkish border, too - since recently it 
became harder and harder for the US to distinguish a friend from 
foe. Disturbingly, Russian cruise missiles (that could be used to 
blow up American warships), anti-tank missiles, night vision 
equipment and electronic jamming equipment (designed to make 
US cruise missiles miss their targets) - was uncovered - this is all 
post-Soviet era military equipment. Does this suggest a new 
Vietnam?  - where the US is going to fight a war against a 
determined, desperate enemy, secretly armed by Russians, who 
would not take part in the fight themselves. Is Bush going to attack 
Russia? In Iraq, Americans are surrounded by potential enemies - 
Turkey, Iran, Syria and likely Saudi Arabia. They can only rely on 
Kuwait and Jordan, which both can fail as states, when a revolution 
hits the streets of Saudi Arabia. Essentially, Bush might be driving 
his humvee right into the sandtrap, from which it will be very difficult 
to get out in the next ten, maybe more years to come. Michael 
Moore, after receiving an Oscar for his documentary 'Bowling for 
Columbine' and repeating his anti-war message in the acceptance 
speech, answered a question, asked by one journalist on why is he 
so determinedly anti-war, with: "Because, I am an American."

ivo