Iraq: An Autopsy
Commentary
A postmortem exam, also known as an autopsy, was incredibly important in unraveling the mysteries of the human body and how it functions. It served as a crucial tool in determining the cause of death or treatment failure when other methods fell short. Postmortem exams provided valuable insights into disease processes and paved the way for improved medical treatments in similar cases with perplexing symptoms.
In the 20th century, advancements in medical technology such as X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, and MRI reduced the significance of postmortem exams. However, they still hold immense importance in forensic medicine, especially in unraveling the cause of sudden or unexplained deaths and solving crimes.
Forensic medicine heavily relies on ante mortem findings to aid in the postmortem examination of organs and tissues. The pathologist then provides a “gross anatomic diagnosis” based on visual and morbid examination. It is only after the organs and tissues are fixed that they can be sliced and microscopic slides can be created. These slides are then examined under a microscope to render a “micro anatomic diagnosis.”
The pathologist combines these findings to create a comprehensive final report, which proves valuable once shared with the clinician.
Whether on land, at sea, in the air, or in space, the “retrospective-scope” plays a significant role in almost all human endeavors. Just like a coach evaluating plays and making adjustments during a sports game, physicians assess patients during active disease processes and modify treatment plans accordingly. Sports teams also rely on post-game sessions to review plays on film and make improvements for the next game. Similarly, the revised game plan or treatment plan.
This article does not delve into the microscopic details of the Iraq war, as that is best left to the generals and historians. Instead, it offers a broad overview of how the war could have been executed more effectively and potentially modernized Arab society, propelling them into the 21st century.
General Schwarzkopf, reflecting on Desert Storm and the liberation of Kuwait, expressed regret that his orders were to halt at the Iraq border. He hinted that he could have continued, captured Saddam Hussein, and swiftly concluded the Persian Gulf War.
Saddam Hussein had underestimated the support of the 21-member Arab League. The conflict in Kuwait, initially known as the first Gulf War, eventually escalated into the second Gulf War, commonly referred to as the Iraq War. It was believed that Saddam Hussein’s execution would lead to the liberation of Iraq and the establishment of a democratic state within a year. However, it was naive to assume that democracy could flourish when neither Iraq nor any of the other Arab League members had prior experience with it.
After World War II, General MacArthur governed Japan for 13 years, allowing for the transformation of Japan into a free and civil society through comprehensive primary and secondary education. By the age of 18, an entire generation of Japanese had been exposed to the fundamental principles of freedom and democracy.
Japan has remained a free society and a steadfast ally for over 60 years. They supported us by providing military bases during the Korean and Vietnamese wars.
If we had followed a similar approach in Iraq, establishing a strong presence with secure military bases and granting our commanding general the same authority as General MacArthur, could we have civilized the Middle East? By educating the Arabs in Iraq about freedom from kindergarten through high school, we could have nurtured a generation steeped in liberty, civility, and democracy.
A thriving democracy in Iraq would have been a powerful catalyst for change within the 20-nation Arab League, altering the course of the Middle East after centuries of hostility. This new democracy could have transformed the mindset of Arabs and Muslims, offering the most effective means of reshaping the region.
According to my Israeli colleagues, young Muslims in the Middle East are taught by their parents and schools to view Jews as enemies. They are indoctrinated with the notion that enemies must be eliminated. Overcoming 18 years of hatred and violence cannot be achieved in just six months or even six years. Perhaps not even in the 13 years we spent in Japan, instilling the values of human freedom, love, and friendship. Unfortunately, our leaders at the time lacked sufficient public support to establish lasting peace.
Postmortem exams cannot bring back the dead or rewrite history. However, did we learn from our examination of Iraq to prevent further tragedies? Our failure to comprehend Arab history has hindered societal progress. Will we continue to witness Arab wars and the rise of groups like ISIS for another millennium? Have we missed our opportunity to reshape the Middle East’s trajectory?
Once again, we find ourselves confronted with the timeless reality of not understanding history, thus being condemned to repeat it. And at the cost of unnecessary American lives. Unfortunately.
Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
How did the lack of understanding of the cultural and social dynamics of Iraq hinder the success of the war?
Blishing a strong educational system that promotes freedom and democracy, the outcome may have been different. However, the Iraq war was plagued by many challenges and complexities that could not be easily overcome.
One of the key factors that hindered the success of the Iraq war was the lack of understanding of the cultural and social dynamics of the region. The Iraqi society had a deep-rooted sectarian divide, which became more prominent in the aftermath of the war. This division fueled conflicts and prevented the establishment of a unified and stable government.
Additionally, the decision to disband the Iraqi army and purge the Ba’ath party members from key government positions created a power vacuum that was quickly filled by militant groups and exacerbated the security situation in the country. The lack of a comprehensive plan for post-war reconstruction and governance further complicated the situation and hindered any progress towards stability.
Furthermore, the presence of insurgent groups, such as Al-Qaeda and later ISIS, posed significant challenges to the security forces and further destabilized the country. The rise of sectarian violence and the targeting of civilians created a cycle of violence and fear that hindered any efforts towards nation-building.
In hindsight, it is clear that the Iraq war could have been executed differently to achieve a more positive outcome. A more comprehensive understanding of the social, cultural, and political dynamics of the region should have been the foundation of any military intervention. Moreover, a strong focus on post-war reconstruction
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