POST-WAR PLANNING

Much has been said about the lack of planning for post-war Iraq. The disaster that has unfolded since the President declared an end to major combat operations in Iraq has led to extremely dangerous conditions for both Iraqi citizens and for U.S. troops.

Several American military leaders warned against the war plans, and documents from Britain recently released show that leaders there doubted the wisdom of the approach, as well. Civilian control of the Pentagon plowed forward with the faulty plan of action and we’re faced with the results day after day, through reports of U.S. and Iraqi casualties, of looting, of sabotage, of diminishing services and health care, etc.

However, it isn’t correct to say that post-war planning after the “cake-walk” victory was non-existent. To the contrary, considerable thought was given to how Americans could make a lot of money in Iraq.

L. Paul Bremer, the first U.S. official to lead the occupation, declared two weeks after his arrival that Iraq was “open for business.” He created an economic environment without tariffs, duties, inspections and taxes, to begin the free market dream.

A month later, 200 state-owned companies were privatized in what author Naomi Klein refers to as “the largest state liquidation sale since the collapse of the Soviet Union.” Then came the lowering of corporate tax rates and an order that allowed foreign investors to retain 100 percent of their Iraqi profits.

“Rebuilding Iraq” trade shows opened in major cities.

A consulting firm boasted that one well-stocked 7-Eleven could knock out 30 Iraqi stores and that a Wal-Mart could take over the country. To make the country more secure—for investors—the interim constitution protected the outsiders’ investment and privatization laws.

The corporate dreamland soon lost its luster as annoying problems such as the lack of water and electricity got in the way, along with mortar attacks and car bombs. Many in Iraq argue that the U.S. post-war economic plans were the leading drive behind the insurgency that has now killed so many American soldiers.

The laissez-faire economic experiment in greed had failed.

Start with the deceit and deception in the run-up to war, then add the commercial aspirations that were to come through victory, and the endeavor goes from bungled to abhorrent.

In the meantime, we doggedly move forward, spending a billion dollars a week and losing on the average 16 soldiers during the same period.

More of the same hasn’t served as a good policy in this war. Something must change as the Vietnam-like spectre grows.