The Foreign Service Journal, March 2005

Iraq’s difficulties. The capture or elimination of nearly all of the top regime leaders was both a good thing and a great disappointment for those in Washington prone to describe the Iraqi resistance as a relatively small number of bitter- enders compromised by their past. The capture of Saddam Hussein alive was an incredible combination of relentless intelli- gence collection, skillful military operations and good luck. Its psy- chological effect, however, fell far short of the public hopes dramatized by the famous deck of cards. At least it should have ended the comforting myth that resis- tance is confined to a relatively limited circle of the for- mer regime. The second effort to wrest control of Fallujah from the insurgents was, in strictly military respects, a brilliant success. Politically, however, it accomplished few of the anticipat- ed objectives. It did not pave the way for elections in the predomi- nantly Sunni Arab governorates of western Iraq. Relatively few non- Iraqi terrorists were caught in the net around Fallujah. Even if insur- gents had needed Fallujah for a safe haven, they seem to have found other ways of carrying out operations of growing intensity in Baghdad, Mosul and many other population centers. What did happen was that the virtual leveling of Fallujah was added to the revelations about Abu Ghraib prison and other well-publicized events as a very effec- tive recruiting tool for new militants in Iraq and many Muslim countries. Nor did the Fallujah operations establish the credibility of the Iraqi Interim Government F O C U S M A R C H 2 0 0 5 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 33 None of the easy answers have fit the deadly and ambiguous realities that shape the political landscape on the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates. SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE AMERICA S I NCE 1 9 7 1 2005 represents our 35 th year helping to maintain America’s fleet of vehicles throughout the world. All of us at D & M consider it an honor to have worked with all of you through these years. We are aware of the importance of your official and private vehicles, forklifts, generators, tools and equipment. We look forward to continuing this service in a professional manner. We are here to help, just ask! Gary Vlahov www.dmauto.com (516) 822-6662; FAX: (516) 822-5020; E-mail: info@dmauto.com