Five Point Plan for Iraq

Four years and tens of thousands of dead soldiers / civilians later, the United States is still in Iraq with no end in sight. Because of this, i have developed a five point plan based in Biblical principles to get the United States out of this conflict and to help Iraqis regain some stability. First, a little background is necessary. We often hear the Pottery Barn theory (You broke it, you bought it) used in reference to Iraq; however, what we never hear is – it is broken because we are still there! In my studying of Iraq and the Middle East, I have come to one determination – there would be less violence in Iraq if we left. Why, you ask – simple, three main reasons:

1. There was never a suicide attack in Iraq until the US invaded
2. In the Islamic faith, there are few bigger insults than occupation of land. They believe their land to be sacred and worth giving their lives for.
3. From 1980-2003 (pre-9-11) every single suicide attack on record around the world occurred by people whose land was currently being occupied.

This means – Land occupation plays a greater role in suicide bombings than religion. This was proven in Robert A. Pape’s editorial in the New York Times two years ago entitled “Blowing up an Assumption.” He actually showed that out of 315 incidents, only 27 were committed by Islamic groups, but the one element that they all had in common was land occupation. Actually, even 9-11 had something to do with land. One of Bin Laden’s biggest reasons for attacking was the US occupying presence and influence over Saudi Arabia. So, truly I believe that violence will settle down once the US soldiers leave Iraq.

However, America’s leaving Iraq is only one part of my five point plan to get us out of the Iraq quagmire in a way that will serve the Iraqi people and save both Iraqi and American lives. First, let us focus and meditate on what the Bible calls us to do in the face of those that we consider enemies.

Luke 6:27 “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Of course, a major argument for us remaining in Iraq is the possibility of violence escalating when we exit; however, the loss of innocent lives already occur at devastating levels with us there – over 1,000 Iraqi’s killed each month and one million Iraqi’s leaving Iraq thus far, so how much worse could it get? But, I will say, my plan is not for us to evacuate right now. Instead, the United States needs to do something radical:

Point One We need to announce when our occupation will end – yes, that is right, create a timeline for withdrawl. As I have outlined above, our occupying presence is such an insult to those of the Islamic faith, especially when they consider it to be a Christian occupying presence, that announcing a complete withdrawl will stem the violence. As we have seen this weekend, with tens of thousands of Iraqi’s taking the streets shouting for America to leave, our presence there is a major factor in the violence. It was also announced this weekend that the iconic man that chopped down the statue of Saddam was quoted as saying ~ I wish Saddam was still in power – he was a tyrant, but not as bad as the United States occupation. We need to let the Iraqi people know clearly that we will not continue to occupy their land.

Point Two We need to change the focus of the mission from combat to humanitarian efforts. Currently the focus of the mission is based on hunting down insurgents and winning a military victory. In the process, we end up terrorizing innocent civilians and creating more terrorists in the process. Two different soldiers that have recently been in Iraq have said to me that they cannot tell the difference between innocent civilians and insurgents, so often they just assume they are all insurgents. One said specifically, they are all terrorists anyways, because I cannot tell them apart. And another said that the civilians know who the terrorists are and do not tell us ~ so they are all terrorists. When we are sending soldiers into civilian houses with this mindset, I think it is obvious why the Iraq study group said that our efforts in Iraq are creating more terrorists than they are preventing.

Instead of continuing a millitary strategy and creating more terrorists in process, we need to announce that we are leaving and that our combat mission will be changing to a humanitarian effort.

Point Three We must market this new effort and new focus to the Iraqi people, the United States citizens, to the other countries of the Middle East, and to the rest of the world. We must announce all over Iraq that we will no longer be hunting down insurgents; instead, we will be rebuilding pipelines, getting clean drinking water, getting electricity to work, etc. Most importantly, we will create a program that creates a large amount of jobs! For the amount of money that we spend in one month in Iraq we could create a program that would give jobs to most of the unemployed workers in Iraq. This gives them insentive to flee from the insurgency and work for a better Iraq. ~ We need to ask the Iraqis to rally around us to rebuild. Of course, we will respond when attacked, and we will do everything for defense of our soldiers lives that we can (besides going on the offense that is), but our main mission will change to rebuilding and leaving.

In order to be convincing with this change, we need to spread the ideas behind this new mission via word of mouth, television, radio, and leaflets. The marketing of this new campaign is important, because the average person in Iraq must believe that our new focus is entirely to help rebuild. If we can do this, I truly believe many of the average Iraqi civilians will begin working against the insurgency and helping the US rebuild.

This must also be explained to the American people, so that 75 percent of the US population or more can get behind this misison again. If our purpose is truly benevolant, i believe that this will happen. If we are truthful about changing completely to a humanitarian mission, I think that the 75 percent of us that are in the middle politically, will rally together and only those on the extreme ends of the spectrum will still be against the effort. This is integral, because a nation cannot enact change in the world unless we are united.

This idea must be sold to the countries of the Middle East and the rest of the world as well. If peace is ever going to come to Iraq again it is only possible with much of the world rallying together in this effort. We must talk to Syria, Iran, Turkey, and other countries. As argued by the 9-11 comission, even at the height of the cold-war Reagan talked to Russia. We need to create incentives for them to get involved in a positive manner. This is important in the world at large as well because if we are to ever solve this crisis, we need the world with us.

Point Four Ask the UN and the world for help. Once we change this mission to a complete humanitarian mission, then we need to humble ourselves at the UN and ask for help. We need to be clear that we will do everything that we can to help Iraq rebuild, but that we cannot do it alone. We need to ask the United Nations that if we change to a complete humanitarian effort, if they will come in and help us and transition Iraq now or after we leave. If we offer to give total control of the effort to the UN, they will accept it. What seems to hold back UN involvement is: 1. The US asking for help, and 2. Most importantly, handing over complete control to them. They do not want to be a part of a US led mission, but in my research I have come to believe that if we relinquish total control to them, they will take it.

This is an integral part of the plan because as long as there is a US face at the front of this effort, there will be a large – violent insurgency. However, once it is the world’s face instead of our own, I feel that the average person in Iraq will team up with the world, not against it.

Point Five Either the US or if we can get the UN involved needs to sit down with the leaders of the different factions in Iraq to negotiate a settlement. Why has this not happened to a greater extent already? I have no explanation, but it seems like the most obvious point of any of this. We need to send someone like Jimmy Carter, who has negotiated peace treaties in the Middle East in the past, or Bill Richardson, who recently negotiated successfully with North Korea, or someone representing the world body to attempt to bring these factions together. I think that one of the biggest injustices that has taken place so far in Iraq is that this has not yet happened on a larger, regular scale. We need some impartial negotiators to stay in Iraq and hammer out a settlement no matter how long it takes.

In conclusion, of course, a lot more than this would need to take place, but I think that this would radically change the course in Iraq for the better. While i do not believe that the United States millitary will ever act completely in a Christ-like manner (as they are secular by definition), I think that Christians need to hold them and the government accountable and do everything that we can to get them to act in a way that is just. Of course, Iraq is an extreme mess right now and the loss of life seems endless, but I truly believe if our effort is truly benevolent, with as little brute force as possible, then the support will come. If we give up our profits from this endeavor and act in a manner that sanctifies life – all life – then everyone will gain.

A Poorly Written, Thinly Veiled Allegorical Short Story

Guest Writer: Nate

In the year 2032, China, the new democratic world superpower, invaded America. The United States had been hauled before the U.N. security council because of its proliferation of nuclear and chemical weapons, but, like so many other “rogue states” before it, it remained defiant. The U.N. attempted to send in weapons inspectors to check on the progress of U.S. weapons programs, but had been rebuffed.

Every diplomatic avenue taken and failed, then, China concluded that invasion was the last resort for eliminating the threat America posed to the world– after all, it proliferated nuclear weapons, had supported nasty dictators, and had a nasty track record of invading sovereign states without U.N. permission.

No matter, the Chinese leadership said. America had a formidable military, yes, but President Sherman had for several years been quite unpopular, including among military brass. “We will be greeted as liberators,” Chinese leaders crowed. “The people, realizing they could be free of such corrupt leadership, will be glad to see us!”

Were they ever wrong. Americans, as it turned out, had a thing against foreign invaders, no matter what their opinion of their President. The military put up a heroic but ultimately futile stand agains the Chinese invaders, but hundreds of thousands of individual gun owners rushed to the streets to form makeshift militias. These proved devastating to the occupiers. Furthermore, the Chinese made the mistake of laying off several million workers from a number of corporations deemed corrupt. Their intention was noble: they would set up new companies based on Chinese ideology. Because of the violence and the fact that Americans were loath to accept the occupiers’ concepts, though, these companies never got off the ground, leaving millions of workers permanently unemployed.

This, of course, had dire effects on the violence. Out of work, many normally-law-abiding citizens turned to militias as their only source of identity and money. These militia leaders, after all, paid handsomely to plant bombs and shoot Chinese soldiers, and many men and boys jumped at these opportunities.

Although there are competing stories of what happened next, it seems that the nation spiraled into civil war from that point on. Warlords ruled the streets, paying their soldiers to kill others, and men willingly did it, as they had no other hope for money. Traditional social bonds broke down, and soon major battles were breaking out between left and right, caucasian and Mexican-American. People who would not normally have killed each other now believed in the doctrine of war after seeing so many of their loved ones killed.

The war in America was long unpopular among a certain portion of the Chinese populace. But now that the war was getting bogged down, a fierce debate broke out. Some spoke thus: “What is wrong with these people? Do they not have the capacity to enjoy freedom? It just doesn’t make sense why they would turn to violence rather than helping to create a better society.” Those same people rushed to question the patriotism of their political opponents. “We need to win this thing,” they said. “There are terrorists in America who oppose the freedom we have brought, and they must be defeated.” Nevertheless, the Chinese government strangely did not address the economic problems that stood behind so much of the American violence.

Sadly, Chinese politicians on both sides paid little attention to American wishes. Pull out, stay the course, good Americans versus terrorists– those were common words in the political debate. But few were listening to those Americans, some of whom were even involved in the violence, who wished for jobs that could help to curb the strife.

—————-

Truly– it does not make sense. Or does it?

Aids and Children in Africa

Written by: Jessica

When I first stepped out of the plane onto the red soil of Dhakar, Senegal, I gawked at the colorful clothing, bright tropical flowers, and bright white teeth that greeted me. Returning home from my trip to Africa, was one of the most difficult reverse culture shock experiences I’ve had. The barrage of news articles, books and documentaries and movies that depict the genocide in Rwanda, conflict in Darfur, famine in Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya, children orphaned due to AIDS, and political unrest in Congo have gradually numbed our senses to the atrocities in Africa.

Recently, I have wondered, ‘How Can I effectively help anyone in Africa from here in the US? Why is Africa, an entire continent, that seems to be in need never seem to receive the help needed or grow as other nations? And What is our duty as individuals and as a group to help? “ I will begin to look at these questions in this article and continue the conversation on the CIM blog and newsletters. The first question I looked at was AIDS in Africa. Other blogs recently written are: Water and Sanitation in Africa and A Streelight: A Sign of Progress in Liberia.

Assistance for those with HIV/AIDS is one of the greatest needs in Africa focused on by Christian and non-government organizations alike. Forty million people worldwide have HIV/AIDS, and about 26 million or over 60% of AIDS cases are found in Africa. Although the percentage of children infected is not high, only about 2 million worldwide, the affects of HIV/AIDS on childrens’ lives in Africa is catastrophic. Click here for a basic overview of AIDS in Africa .

The UN estimates that by 2010, 106 million children will be orphans because of HIV/AIDS worldwide and about half of those will be in Sub-Saharan Africa. This is an urgent crisis–children are losing loved ones, primary caregivers, teachers, basic medical care-givers, and are fending for themselves. Often, children as young as 13 or 14 are caring for entire families. Organizations like the UN , World Vision, UNICEF , the World Health Organization are major players in strategically aiming to bring aid to HIV/AIDS in Africa and for the children. One of the biggest difficulties in solving this problem is the lack of education and the lack of resources for medical care.

Why do we not see the same catastrophic problems with HIV/AIDS in the West or any other country? Perhaps because anti-retroviral medication (ARV), which slows the process of HIV/AIDS is available in medical centers around the world. Those who take these medicines can live very normal, healthy lives. Unfortunately, the cost of these medications is too high and not readily available for most of Africa. Wikipedia reports that nations such as Brazil, China, South Africa and India can create these ARVs for a fraction of the cost ($100/year). The UN proposed a Millenium Project to reduce poverty, hunger and disease in developing countries by 2015 – including universal healthcare for children in Africa —which I would assume would try to get the lowest costing ARV’s for people. Beyond these large organizations, Christian communities and organizations also play a huge role in aiding orphans and communities with stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS. The WHO had an article that applauded the work of Faith Based Organizations, (FBO’s) which sometimes can be more effective because they have access on a local level through churches and community centers. Collaboration between FBO and these other agencies would have the greatest impact on children and families affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa. This is a long-term project that will require the joining of governments, National Organizations and FBOs, and, of course, God’s help.

FBOs that I know of that seek to help with AIDS in Africa are Covenent Mercies , an orphan sponsorship program, and World Vision and Project 0 which distribute resources into Africa for the AIDS crisis. I’m sure many other churches and FBOs are working there as well.

While the statistics on HIV/AIDS in Africa are staggering, beyond any situation I have heard of in the US—I do believe that God is still at work. In a sense, it can be easy to think, ‘Thank God I’m not in that situation, Thank God I don’t live in Africa” – but we must remember that, the God of the US / West is still the same God over Africa—leading the hearts of leaders and organizations in the way he pleases. It does not make sense to me that millions are suffering, without parents, struggling with HIV/AIDS. But, I know that God is good and he cares for the orphans and widows. James 1:27 says “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit widows and orphans in their affliction. . .” Should we even get involved with HIV/AIDS? I say yes, it is God’s heart to care for the orphan, the widow and seek justice and care for those in need. Because we are God’s body, the church, I believe we should be involved as he leads—God is merciful, and at work—but he also uses us here on earth to do his bidding.

Pray for these millions of children who have lost one or both parents to AIDS, who are in need of a home, a loving family, education and medicine. And pray God would be glorified and mighty in their midst.

The Biblical Call for Equality

My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Have a seat here, please,” while to the one who is poor you say, “Stand there,” or, “Sit at my feet,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
– James 2:1-4

Why is it that our brains judge people based on gender, race, socio-economic class, etc.? This passage in James makes it clear, only one thing makes us differentiate – our “evil thoughts.” The fact that we live in a fallen world and live with sin every day makes us look at people differently. The Book of James makes it clear to me that we are supposed to treat others equally, and in the call to “seek justice” we are to fight for the equality of the disenfranchised. I am meditating on this today and ask you to think about and pray about how you can work towards achieving equality for all and help the disenfranchised.

As a person that teaches about gender studies and critical race studies, I often hear the phrase why do we have to learn this stuff – racism is dead, sexism is dead – this is America – Everyone is equal. And then I ask, look a little closer, is this really true?

For instance, in the richest country in the world: why is it that a black child is over fifty percent more likely to die in their first year of life then a white child? And why are black women half as likely to get breast cancer than white women, yet twice as likely to die from the disease? What about banks that have found new creative ways to discriminate against giving loans to African Americans – such as blocking out entire neighborhoods, which just coincidentally happens to be an African American neighborhood.

How about the fact that women still make less per hour than men for the exact same amount of work (76 cents to the dollar that men make). Or, that even though women make up 51 percent of our population, they make up about 14 percent of elected offices – the second worst representation of any industrialized nation. And finally, the fact that one in five (or more) women get raped in college? In a society where women need to fear being that one out of five, is there true equality? Not to mention the fact that there is extreme pressure on women from all areas of society (media, television, magazines, schools, etc.) to live up to impossible standards – spending hours on make-up or hair or developing eating disorders to live up to unreasonable expectations of body shape. When asked about Islamic women’s choice to wear hajibs or head scarfs (In over 90 percent of the countries it is a choice, only a few extreme places is it required), I usually respond – is the extreme pressure we put on women to wear makeup, tight clothing, and other physical expectations really much different?

The fact is, sexism is not dead. Racism is not dead. And as Christians that are clearly called to seek justice and not judge others by our “evil thoughts,” we need to work on ending these evil institutions that pervade our everyday lives. We must take individual responsibility to treat everyone equally and to help the disenfranchised. In other words, if someone is making a sexist or racist joke at the water cooler – clearly say “I do not appreciate that.” Then as a whole, as Christians, we must work to not tolerate these idead in larger society as well. Fight for the disenfranchised in any way possible and you are truly acting Christ-like, caring for the “least of these.” It is not an easy task, but it is one that we are called towards.

Giving Thanks for other Christians

I have recently been reading through Ephesians and it has really affected me. It has made me think about being thankful for all of God’s gifts and also to be thankful for brothers and sisters in Christ. I often find myself very thankful for His gifts, but am regularly very critical of my fellow brothers and sisters (especially those I deem hypocritical). It is something that I need to continue to work on and I pray that someday it will flow through me more naturally and regularly. Here are some of the passages that I have been reading in order to regain focus:

13 Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. 15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

In this passage, we are told that He has marked us for salvation and when we accept him, this mark becomes a seal “guaranteeing our inheritance,” and redemption. For this, we should worship, praise, and be confident in his glory and love for us… We need to remember his love for us in our love for others through thankfulness and prayer and he will reward us by helping us come closer to him or to “know him better.”

So, today, i really would like to meditate on how thankful i am for all of you. I have been so incredibly blessed by so many people that it would make a long list, so let me just say each one of you represents an important part of the body and without you, the body is not whole. I am even thankful for those that I disagree with or that I think are supporting false doctrine. While i will not support that doctrine, I am thankful for your love for Christ and pray that we will be together someday.

The key to remembering this and keeping it important in our lives is to keep perspective:

Ephesians 2

1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

–Before we know him, we are “dead” because of our sin. We followed the world instead of him—this is how I felt much of my life, I knew him, but I was rebelling or turning away from his love—but because of his immense love for us he saves us. We had no hope without him, we were of the body gratifying our cravings, where now that we have turned to him, the sin remains, but we have hope in his kingdom and he continues to lead us towards sanctification. Once we see this, how can we judge others harshly? When we see our old selves in others, it should create an overflowing of compassion for everyone we meet – no matter how of the world they are.