INDCJournal: A Changing Climate

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February 07, 2005

A Changing Climate

Posted by Bill

It looks like it's a good thing that elections weren't postponed because of security concerns:

Iraqis Cite Shift in Attitudes Since Vote Mood Seen Moving Against Insurgency
With a hero who gave his life for the elections, a revived national anthem blaring from car stereos and a greater willingness to help police, the public mood appears to be moving more clearly against the insurgency in Iraq, political and security officials say.

In the week since national elections, police and Iraqi National Guardsmen say that they have received more tips from the public, resulting in more arrests and greater effectiveness in their efforts to weaken the violent insurgency rocking the country.
...
But officials in Baghdad said a relative lull in violence in the capital has fueled the sense that something has fundamentally changed since the vote. A change of attitudes in Baghdad could make a crucial difference in the battle against the insurgency, and a buoyed sense of civic pride is already beginning to change the way the public treats the police, authorities say.

Of course, it's not only the image of the police that may be changing, as this NYT profile of the Iraqi version of "America's Most Wanted" indicates:

Iraqi Police Use Kidnappers' Videos to Fight Crime
In one scene, the videotape shows three kidnappers with guns and a knife, preparing to behead a helpless man who is gagged and kneeling at their feet.

In the next, it is one of the kidnappers who is in detention, his eyes wide with fear, his lips trembling, as he speaks to his interrogators.

"How do I say this?" says the kidnapper, identified as an Egyptian named Abdel-Qadir Mahmoud, holding back tears. "I am sorry for everything I have done."

In the first week after the elections, the Iraqi Interior Ministry and the Mosul police chief are turning the tables on the insurgency here in the north by using a tactic - videotaped messages - that the insurgents have used time and again as they have terrorized the region with kidnappings and executions.

But this time the videos, which are being broadcast on a local station, carry an altogether different message, juxtaposing images of the masked killers with the cowed men they become once captured.

The police in Mosul say Abdel-Qadir Mahmoud slit a man's throat for a video used to promote the insurgency. Now he is in captivity, and the police hope their video of him as a cowering prisoner will help catch killers. Warzer Jaff For The New York Times

They're evidently not so tough without a mask, weapons and a bound victim. The article raises potentially valid (if typically non-contextual) Western concerns about the due process afforded the suspects (amidst ridiculous questions about violations of the Geneva Conventions), but the videos seem like a highly effective way to turn the tables on the terrorists' weapon of fear. The show even features a call-in segment:

Iraqis are invited to call with their reactions and information during the programs, of which there have been at least three this week. On one broadcast, emotional citizens called the number imposed over the image of Mr. Jawba on the screen.
...
A woman called up, sobbing. "Someone murdered my son, Abdel-Salam Hamoodi," she said. "He was murdered near our house. Just ask them if they killed him. I want you to give me the answer, to ease my heart."

Zarquawi and the insurgency erred terribly when they started killing Iraqis, and the Coalition and interim Iraqi government made the right choice by pressing ahead with elections. I have no idea if it's the will of the Iraqi people that's begun to change dramatically, or if their undeniable electoral demonstration won over the media and changed its chosen narrative - likely a mixture of both - but change is in the air. And I'm cautiously positive.

Posted by Bill at February 7, 2005 12:57 AM | TrackBack (6)

Comments

Very cool.

Posted by: floridacracker at February 7, 2005 09:48 AM

The videotapes of "confessing" kidnappers probably do raise a question, given that the alleged kidnappers probably have not been convicted of any crime. And, there might be some question about whether these individuals were coerced into giving their videotaped statements.

But I can't argue with their value as anti-insurgent propaganda. And, for some reason, my Liberal Rage-O-Meter™ isn't registering much rage over this. Must be broken.

--|PW|--

Posted by: pennywit at February 7, 2005 10:13 AM

"...change is in the air. And I'm cautiously positive."

Cautious? Not me! I'm gonna take a Hugh Hewitt style, un-abashedly rah-rah, exuberant-beyond-belief stance. I'm tired of being dismayed over the news coming out of Iraq. We're finally being reported properly dammit! I'm gonna celebrate!

And for your own part in keeping up this Marine's spirits during the media doom and gloom of the past year, I say thank you, Bill. Seriously.

Oh, and Happy Aniversary!

Posted by: Kieth at February 7, 2005 03:38 PM

I think it's a great start, too, and part of the unintended consequences of braving the elections. Or maybe Bush knew it would have this effect and that's why he pushed so hard. Naaahhhh...he so dumb! :)

Meanwhile, the Iranian students are planning a demonstration soon, and everyone will sport a blue index finger. I think a fire has been lit.

Posted by: PJ at February 7, 2005 11:48 PM

I, Dr.Jack Shepard SAYS: I pray that God Blesses the Middle East with Peace & Mr. Sharon makes it to heaven or the whole world will go to Hell!

I also have 2 witnesses that Iain Hook was told a few weeks before his murder "We were going to send a message to Kofi Annan and you will know when we send it.

I love Israel; now we will see if Mr. Sharon really wishes peace, he controls his military 100%, while as everyone in the world knows that Abu Mazen can not.

With President Bush and Secretary of State Rice on aboard, you will see Mr. Sharon will have too be an real peace partner.

As General Sharon he only knows war; I pray that he remembers that he, Mr. Sharon will be judged by God on his Judgment day.

I know and hope that God will forgive him; but if I was God this would be his last chance. If he does not work as a real partner of President Bush, and Abu Mazen toward peace.

He will dwell in the fires of Hell Forever, if he acts and does what pleases God, and spends more time praying for peace then killing for peace; God will still BE forgive him.

At his age; his actions should be like all of us to please God. Hell and Heaven await all of us forever, this life time is only a test.

The hate he has in him is an action from the dEVIL in the past were part of God's plan, I pray for him to learn to love, and he has it in him to do what pleases God.

I pray for him because if he can not lead Israel to share God's world with the weak,and hungry, he will dwell in Hell if he does not stop playing games; God is all seeing and all knowing.

Like I said above, it is not for me to judge; even though I have access to facts that very few people at the high levels do, which obviously few do.

So when I say something it is the truth. I only what people to remember they can play games with everyone but not with God.

If I was Mr. Sharon as of yesterday I would fear God, if he is a real believer.

I hope SOMEONE WILL forwards this to him, I as a friend and Warner CAN ONLY SAY MR. SHARON -LAST CHANCE FOR HEAVEN>DO NOT FORGET ABOUT GOD.

With a change of heart; God is the most forgiving. General Sharon knows his record like I do.

I pray for him to change his ways; with the whole world watching if he REMEMBERS THAT HE really will have to please God.

He has much to ask forgiveness from God For. HE KNOWS! That is between him and God. You and I will see be his actions.

I thank God that President Bush was reelected and that he choose Secretary of State Rice and that they are moving so fast.

I have been praying for President Bush, to become the Abe Lincoln of modern times for 4 years now. I hero of history who stopped a WORLD CIVIL WAR! Watch my words come true.

I predict President George W. Bush, Mr. Sharon, Mr. Abu Mazen and Secretary of State Rice will be getting the Nobel Peace Award next year.

I pray that God Blesses the Middle East with Peace AND Mr. Sharon makes it to heaven or the whole world will go to Hell!

Dr. Jack Shepard

visit: http://dr-jack-shepard-my-mission.blogspot.com/

Posted by: Dr. Jack Shepard at February 8, 2005 02:56 PM

My God, they've taken Jean Reno hostage!

Now there can never be a sequel to Les Visiteurs.

Posted by: dillene at February 8, 2005 05:12 PM