Flying the Flag
Interesting times in Iraq...historic even. I've been thinking this evening that this is truly a unique time to be back in Iraq. Iraq's second round of national elections will occur next month. I heard someone say that the test of a democracy is not its first elections but its second. In addition to the upcoming elections, Iraq and the U.S. have a security agreement that sets the stage for a changing U.S. role in Iraq. Yesterday I heard someone describe it as things are beginning to contract. Most of the initial U.S. funds identified for Iraq's reconstruction have been spent, or are in the process of being spent on projects nearing completion. Troop numbers are starting to decrease in Iraq and ramp up in Afghanistan. The International Zone will soon be handed over to the Iraqis and U.S. troops will begin to pull out of Iraqi cities, stationing more on the outskirts and in remote areas. I won't see all these changes in the 6 months I'm here but I will see th...