The Failed Iraq Reconstruction effort
One of the most crucial aspects of the war in Iraq is reconstruction. If we can't show the Iraqi people a better way of life, they simply will not follow us. The bad news is just like the military effort, we are losing the battle of reconstruction.
Residents in Baghdad still are receiving electricity for only about 8 hours a day. This is less than before the 2003 invasion and simply not even enough electricity for basic needs such as food refrigeration. After figuring in the constant violence and lack of basic services, it is clear that Baghdad is still much worse off than before the U.S. invasion. This does not do anything to encourage citizens to embrace their foreign occupiers or their new government.
Another goal of the U.S. reconstruction effort was to create more than 140 primary health-care centers. As of today the U.S. has only completed 20 of these facilities. It is now clear that this goal will never be fulfilled. We will end up having fallen extremely short of our stated goal. In the end results like these end up being seen as broken promises by many Iraqis. It gives them another reason to not trust us.
Iraq oil pipeline projects that were to deliver oil for export and much needed funding into Iraq are still over two years behind schedule. As long as these exports are not realized, there will not be sufficient funding for reconstruction and this will also limit the new governments ability to function properly. The Iraq government will not be able to become self sufficient and govern effectively enough to enable the U.S. troops to leave Iraq until this goal is accomplished.
Recently, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) commented on the U.S. lead reconstruction effort, saying "I don't think we can ever get back the billions of dollars that have been lost to poor planning, outright fraud and corruption. This story is a very disappointing one. Everywhere you look, goals have not been achieved."
A recent report on the reconstruction issue states that the U.S. is soon going to face a deadline for choosing which projects will be funded with the $2 billion remaining of the $21 billion rebuilding program. More than 500 planned projects have not even started. It also states that the United States lacks a coherent plan for transferring authority to Iraqi control.
Sadly this will not help our cause in making Iraq more stable and will go a long way towards fostering resentment towards the United States and our allies. If things continue as they are, this has the potential to be one of the greatest mistakes in United States history. It is strong evidence that staying the course is not always the best policy. Iraq is turning into a hurricane and our captains are leading our ship right into the center of the storm.
Residents in Baghdad still are receiving electricity for only about 8 hours a day. This is less than before the 2003 invasion and simply not even enough electricity for basic needs such as food refrigeration. After figuring in the constant violence and lack of basic services, it is clear that Baghdad is still much worse off than before the U.S. invasion. This does not do anything to encourage citizens to embrace their foreign occupiers or their new government.
Another goal of the U.S. reconstruction effort was to create more than 140 primary health-care centers. As of today the U.S. has only completed 20 of these facilities. It is now clear that this goal will never be fulfilled. We will end up having fallen extremely short of our stated goal. In the end results like these end up being seen as broken promises by many Iraqis. It gives them another reason to not trust us.
Iraq oil pipeline projects that were to deliver oil for export and much needed funding into Iraq are still over two years behind schedule. As long as these exports are not realized, there will not be sufficient funding for reconstruction and this will also limit the new governments ability to function properly. The Iraq government will not be able to become self sufficient and govern effectively enough to enable the U.S. troops to leave Iraq until this goal is accomplished.
Recently, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) commented on the U.S. lead reconstruction effort, saying "I don't think we can ever get back the billions of dollars that have been lost to poor planning, outright fraud and corruption. This story is a very disappointing one. Everywhere you look, goals have not been achieved."
A recent report on the reconstruction issue states that the U.S. is soon going to face a deadline for choosing which projects will be funded with the $2 billion remaining of the $21 billion rebuilding program. More than 500 planned projects have not even started. It also states that the United States lacks a coherent plan for transferring authority to Iraqi control.
Sadly this will not help our cause in making Iraq more stable and will go a long way towards fostering resentment towards the United States and our allies. If things continue as they are, this has the potential to be one of the greatest mistakes in United States history. It is strong evidence that staying the course is not always the best policy. Iraq is turning into a hurricane and our captains are leading our ship right into the center of the storm.
posted by Superman @ 8/02/2006 05:58:00 PM
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