a couple Q & A's

Im helping a student with a report on the effect of the war on Iraqi culture, and thought that it would be cool to share some the Q & A's that he had with all of you. So here you go....


CPT ADAIR: An overview of Iraq

Dillion here are some answers to your questions. Here is a little background on me first:
I am a member of an 11 man team called a MITT (military transition team) designed to train and advise the Iraqi army and police. I received close to 6 month training at FT. Riley KS for this assignment. I arrived in Iraq AUG 08 and am currently working in Mosul, Iraq. I mentor 2 infantry Iraqi Battalions (roughly 2000 men). My team’s duties are to assist in operations of roadside checkpoints, raid, searches, patrols, and any other combat operations. I act as the liaison between the Iraqi units and the coalition forces.

Q: Since you've been in Iraq, has the treatment of Iraqi women improved? If so, in what ways (what are they able to do now that they weren't before?)

A: Well the culture of Iraqi women is that they are held in high regard. They hold high values of chastity and morality. The saying is that in public they are not to show hardly any body part and not to look on a man and vice visa. In public they are submissive, but in the home they wear the pants. They are not suppressed as the world believes but just held to a different standard. The culture encourages the education and opinions of women, but not the trophy independent women as the western world. When meeting an Iraqi male I do not talk or gester to his wife, and really its best to just pretend she is not there.
As the military we are only allowed to search a women by a us women soldier. The best way to piss off a crowd of men is to have a male soldier search or try to talk to a women.
Women are not thought of as a lower being, but treasured. Its just different to the western world. My understanding is that they have always had the same rights and privileges of males, but are not to flaunt them in public. Because of the Saddam’s regime and the war, all human rights in Iraq has decreased, not just the women’s.

Q: Examples of ways that Iraqi people spend their day now as compared to before. Do they get out more? If so, what do they do? (the paper is kinda a before and after)

A: Well the unemployment rate is ridiculous. In Mosul, there is a 75% unemployment rate, so people are poor. Most people do not have a job and therefore walk around a hand on the streets or in their homes. Those that do work usually own a store or a small business at a market. Because of the war, the economy has suffered. Most of the factories from before the war owned by Saddam’s government are shut down. So initially that increased a loss of job and economic slump. As capitalism grows, and the county’s infrastructure increases, so will the jobs and moral of the people.

Q: Does the population have more rights, or do they now get to excercise natural rights similar to our Bill of Rights? (Religious freedom...I know Saddam persecuted the Shiites for example)

A: The people definitely have more rights now then before the war. The Shiites and Kurds were heavily persecuted before the war. People have most of the rights that we do in America. The problem is now all the different previous suppressed groups all believe they deserve a bigger piece of the country’s pie. Some do it through political means, and others like terrorists do it through acts of violence. Iraq is currently under something like Marshal Law (where the military is in control). But come 1 JAN 09 a SOFA (status of forces agreement) will probably take affect. Good, because it restores more rights to the people, but bad because it limits us as a military force to get bad guys. Look more about the SOFA online. It is much like the same agreement we have in South Korea.

Q: Generally speaking, are there any major changes to the society? (Possibly due to globalization, Americanization, or just because of they might now have resources to info. about the world.)

A: Like I said earlier, the country is always changing. Iraq is a melting pot of several different cultures and parties. As some come in to power the culture climate shifts. Most Iraqis know and want to be a part of the world community, but are still loyal to their individual tribes and heritage. As freedoms and capitalism increases, so will the society’s consciousness of the global world, and the county will be effected by that. How and when, I couldn’t tell you.

Q: How much resistance are you experiencing by the Iraqi citizens, or Do the Iraqis basically accept or appreciate the change Americans have brought to them

A: Well some just plain hate us. If fact, one of our Iraqi units that were are working with plainly said that he doesn’t like us and if local civilians weren’t being killed by the terrorists, he would join them to kill Americans. One of the biggest weapons of terrorists is the ability to spread information to the people. For instance, they put up signs all around town saying that we will rape and kill women during our searches. They will spread lies around to strike fear and hatred in the hearts and minds of the people, encouraging them to support the insurgency. It is a never ending struggle to gain the trust of the people. Most know the truth, but are scared of the repercussions if they openly support the coalition forces. Another example is our interpreters. They have to change their names and cover their faces when we are in public, because if, by chance, they are recognized they, or their families could be killed.

Q: What do you personally think is the biggest change that we've brought to Iraq...I know it's rather general, but based on what you've seen, if you could narrow it down to one thing, what would it be and why?

A: I think the biggest change is the choice to choose a better life. This war has hurt the country of Iraq, but sometimes you need to cut into the wound so it can heal right. This war is for the local Iraqi man who can exercise his right with out threat or fear, to work and support his family. For those suppressed to be repaid, and for the basic human rights we all deserve and should be able enjoy. Now I don’t know a great deal about the US governments need for oil, or the conspiracies of politicians, and really I don’t care. On my level, it is about fighting for basic freedoms that would not be available without help from outside forces that have the means and responsibility to stand up for those in need. Don’t let anyone tell you that this task is trivial and unnecessary. I believe that the US has it’s time to be involved and that time is soon up. But it was purposeful and necessary and those who doubt that need to come and see for themselves.