SENTINEL WATCH November 17, 2003 Issue

Higher expectations for Iraq

By Russ Gerber

Last week , from the Baghdad neighborhood of al-Shaab came cries of anger and despair. The first day of Ramadan, Islam's holy month, began with destruction. Civilian casualties were among the highest since the war began. One victim in a hospital adjusted his bandage and commented, "It's all up to God. Only God will help us."

I spoke with some friends after that story broke, and they were despondent. Day after day of gloomy reports from Iraq—and now this. What was next?

One of the words that came up in our conversation was inconceivable. Given the present situation, and given the mix of ambushes and bombings, international sentiments, politics, media coverage, the financial cost, and everything else brought to bear on the process of rebuilding the nation, it was inconceivable how—or if—this difficult and dangerous process could be completed.