Operation Safe Haven Iraq 2009
The issue of the desperate plight facing America’s Iraqi collaborators has gotten some fitful attention over the years. But it’s never really been possible to do anything about it, because for the United States to implement a serious policy in this regard would require an administration that’s not committed to trying to maintain the illusion that a happy, stable, pro-American democracy is right around the corner. Fortunately, we’ll have just such an administration in two weeks.
Thus, the time is right for things like this proposal from Brian Katulis and Natalie Ondiak for an emergency airlift to get these endangered people to safety. Of course that will still leave the broader issue of Iraq’s millions of displaced people, but it’d be a start.
27 Responses to “Operation Safe Haven Iraq 2009”
Register
RSSLogin
Topic Cloud
ArchivesBlog RollAbout Matt YglesiasContact Me
Donate
January 12th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
I’m not sure if we can accomodate that many Iraqis, especially being somewhat unsure of their actual allegiances and associations. Maybe Obama can expand on an Iraqi housing program we already have in the Carribean. He and Cheney can hammer out the details.
January 12th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
The current program requires sponsorship of a service member, which has served excellently to help them immigrate, settle, and integrate for the many Iraqi and Afghan interpreters I have worked with who have come to the US.
In my experience, the delay has been in the embassy and among some commanders, since the current program requires a signature from a division commander (2-star), for every interpreter. Among those affiliated iraqis who do not work directly with the military (rather, with contractors), I can only assume this will be even more difficult.
Many of them also wish to join the US military, and a clarified recruitment guideline with special provisos for whatever type of visa they are allowed in under would be awesome. It’s an interesting way of getting some incredibly dedicated, language-qualified, and experienced personnel into the military.
January 12th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
It’s worth noting CAP’s overall goal: getting voters for the Dems and obtaining power.
Everything else is just words wrapped around that goal, including these words:
U.S.-affiliated Iraqis have already received security clearances to work with Americans, but some Iraqis could potentially harbor ill-feeling toward the United States. However, these Iraqis are seeking to leave the country because they have been labeled as traitors and want the opportunity to find safety and security in the United States, which makes this highly unlikely.
1. At least they admit there’s a chance they could actually end up taking actions against us, which is a step up from what I would have expected: them simply hand-waving that away.
2. Would CAP be willing to be their sponsor and take full responsibility for them? For instance, CAP could post a bond, pledging all their money and their freedom. If something bad happens involving one of their charges, they’d forfeit both.
[cue crickets]
January 12th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Why does it seem like I’ve heard every CAP proposal before? Well, because I have.
January 12th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Draining Iraq of its most talented citizens by offering them residency here is just a roundabout way of sabotaging Iraq’s successful (so far) transition to a stable, independent democracy. Obama would have no interest in doing such a thing, as any backsliding in Iraq after Jan 20th would reflect poorly on him.
January 12th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
I like this program, and the arguments against it so far have been silly. There is some ideological squishiness is the defenition of a US-affiliated iraqi they give, but some major subset of those (to include all the military interpreters) should definitely be included.
The current solution, which has resettled a very small number of people, requires the sponsorship of service members. I have never seen an interpreter who would be abandoned by the people he or she worked with.
As for the security threat: The intepreters, and many of the professional staffs, have worked under constant contact and supervision of US troops in wartime for years, and when they get home. I would argue that they are less of a risk than many other populations we allow to this country.
They address the brain drain argument in the proposal, and what they say their is understated compared to my experience in that country.
January 12th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Hilarious. Once again, the United States sells out its allies, leaving its collaborators to torture and certain death.
And we wonder why no one likes America.
January 12th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Two weeks? No. Try eight days. But who’s counting?
January 12th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Not that I’m surprised, but 24AheadDotCom seems to have missed the March 2007 New Yorker, which discussed the Iraqi employees of the US Government in detail.
In short, they went ‘way, ‘way out of their way to be of service. We were on the hook for a lot more Vietnamese back in the day, and took them in without the house collapsing.
January 12th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
“Iraq’s successful (so far) transition to a stable, independent democracy. ”
What are you smoking?
January 12th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Besides the appearance of defeat letting Iraqis into the US would give, an even more powerful political calculus was at work. Anti Immigration combined with extreme anti Muslim anti Arab speaking prejudicial sentiments of the base are practically universal. The administration wanted to be seen with this about as much as they wanted to be seen having a float in the Gay Pride Day parade.
January 12th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Invade the world, invite the world!
What could possibly go wrong?
January 12th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
I’m sure they appreciate being called “collaborators.”
January 12th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
I’m actually impressed by Fred’s comment (well, the first half of the first sentence, really). Iraq has suffered a lot from the loss of its most well-educated — ie, those with enough money to pay to get the hell out. Removing many more of them could increase the brain drain.
On the other hand, it’d be a shame to watch them get executed for collaboration some time in the future. These people have earned a ticket to the US.
January 12th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
U.S. authorities failed to prevent sectarian militias from infiltrating the Iraqi government at all levels. They failed, because they had no way to tell who was loyal to us and who was loyal to a militia. Interpreters and other staff certainly aided this infiltration.
Now you ask me to trust the same people to choose who to let into my neighborhood?
January 12th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Yep, RickDFL has it right. Best to let everyone who was working for us get hunted down and tortured to death. It’ll teach everyone the right lesson about the dangers of working with Americans.
March 2nd, 2009 at 4:28 am
levitraIt is the coolest site,keep so!
March 11th, 2009 at 4:11 am
Excellent site. It was pleasant to me.
March 12th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
I bookmarked this site. Thank you for good job!
March 14th, 2009 at 4:57 am
Great site. Good info
xanax
March 17th, 2009 at 2:19 am
I want to say – thank you for this!
tramadol
March 22nd, 2009 at 5:55 am
tramadol
I want to say – thank you for this!
March 22nd, 2009 at 10:18 am
buy viagra online
Incredible site!
March 23rd, 2009 at 4:19 am
viagra
Excellent site. It was pleasant to me.
April 9th, 2009 at 4:38 am
Very interesting site, Hope it will always be alive! viagra