Mike Crapo, December 21, 2003

"Slightly more than twice the size of Idaho." So reads the CIA Factbook when describing Iraq. Idaho has 1.3 million people; Iraq has 24.7 million. Over 40 percent of those 15 years and older in Iraq can read and write. In Idaho, 85 percent are high school graduates. The nation of Iraq is only 71 years old. The state of Idaho is 113 years old.

This unconventional comparison presents a stark reality. Iraq is small, crowded, and young. Many Iraqis suffer from a lack of adequate education and are poverty-stricken. The Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s, the Gulf War, and economic hardship emphasized the chasm between the wealthy and brutal military leadership and the struggling populace. Mass graves of regime dissidents attest to Saddam Hussein’s record of shocking brutality. Internationally, he posed a profound threat to our national security by activities undertaken in direct opposition to United Nations’ resolutions over the past decade.

Despite our successes in Iraq, critics have been relentless. Before the war was six weeks old, we were supposedly in a "quagmire." Then, after one of the most decisive victories in the history of modern warfare, critics turned to the humanitarian situation. Now that the humanitarian situation has improved dramatically, a constitution cannot be written soon enough, control of the country cannot be transferred fast enough, and so on. Even more amazing, now that Hussein is in custody, some leaders in our country refuse to credit the Administration, desperately trying to find some way to malign the President, and frankly, are belittling themselves with their vitriol and petulance. But when you dig down to the facts, clamor is all it is--void of substance save a studied intent to discredit the Administration.

The bottom line is this: we will succeed. Democracy can be seen, ironically, in protests in Iraqi cities. Iraqis involved can do so only because there are American and coalition soldiers standing in their midst, protecting their civil and human rights. Iraqis have emerged from decades of oppressive, totalitarian rule with spirited fervor and remarkable dedication to democratic principles. At least 200 neighborhood councils now represent more than half of Iraq’s population. These councils are especially important to the success of democracy. The most violent Islamic militant groups form and exist at local levels. These neighborhood groups will mitigate and discourage formation of terror cells.

Tangible infrastructure rebuilding is happening at an encouraging rate. Before the war, electrical generation averaged 3,300 megawatts. As of early October, Iraq was producing 4,417 megawatts. 72 million textbooks will be distributed before the end of the school year, and teachers are now earning 12 to 25 times their former salaries. Three million of the 4.3 million children in Iraq under five have been vaccinated. 83 percent of bank branches operating before the war have re-opened, and nearly 20,000 Iraqi people are now employed through a national job generation program.

President Bush is to be commended for supporting words with actions. In this extremely dangerous environment as Iraq leaves the shadow of repression, our involvement must be guided by national security considerations. The war in Iraq is indeed part of the larger war on terrorism. Terrorism is bred from societal malcontent, poor economic conditions, and feelings of powerlessness, emerging in the face of state-sponsored political oppression. Liberating the Iraqi people and providing economic support for reconstruction efforts moves them out of conditions favorable to the rise of terrorism.

Saddam Hussein’s capture is reason to celebrate, and as he goes to trial, new evidence will surface further validating our actions in Iraq. National security dictates a continuing commitment to combating terrorism abroad, rather than here at home. Setbacks will occur, but in order to be successful, we must focus on the ultimate goal of a peaceful and democratic Middle East.

Senator Mike Crapo, a Republican, represents Idaho in the U.S. Senate.