The notion of a victory in ditching the impossible

Submitted by Yuval Brandstetter MD (Israel), May 3, 2006 at 10:06

Sometimes, victory can be achieved by changing the goal. If the goal of the US is to recreate a forty-million- strong bunch of tribes into an American-style federal republic, then victory is beyond the realm of possibility or even imagination. For that would entail a brain transplant for all iraqis survivng a scorched earth Dresden-like disaster.

On the other hand, if victory is defined as the removal of a clear and present danger emanating from a single source, an epicenter of disease, then victory has been achieved in Iraq. Victory will be further enhanced by the sectarian violence which will abrogate the concentration of lethal power in the hands of one individual, or regime. If Saddam or another tyrant re-emerges, then by all means, show him the big stick.

The same can be said of Iran. Victory is unlikely to be achieved by all Persians renouncing Shia Islam and becoming Bahaii disciples. On tghe other hand, the removal of all access to technology of mass destruction is victory enough. The means to that victory are a matter of tactics, not strategy.

Israel has tried to define Victory as Arab acquiescence to its existence. Since that appears to be unlikely Israel has re-stated the goal to living with an armed truce of unlimited duration. Since that has turned out badly Israel is slowly being driven to defition of victory as total separation, non-contact, where only the line of demarcation is to be determined. Since the present lines, and all lines drawn according to Demographic principles appear to fail in providing victory, then Geography will determine the lines of demarcation, which will entail the transfer of belligerent populations beyond those clear and present Geographic boundaries.

It is not the whims and wants and aspirations of politicians which determine what kind of victory emerges from a conflict. Rather it is the circumstances and the mindset of the people involved which determine what form of victory is achievable and enforceable. Japanese and Germans are disciplined peoples who can conform to a process offered or forced upon them. Arabs and Muslims are not. Period. They are beyond education since they possess the Perfect religion forced upon them by the Perfect Apostle. Let them be what they are, just take the dangerous toys from them. As for Israel, let Israel defines its victory, and stop protecting the Arabs from the consequences of their own irascible behaviour.

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".