On sending troops to Iraq

Contrary arguments are largely philosophical. Iraq war is deemed as unilateral and unnecessary on an already de-fanged dictator, who happens to be at odds with the US Government. Lingering post-war uncertainty in finding a proof for WMD further undermines the US position. Sending troops to Iraq to shore up a mired US military shall only legitimise an occupation. Thrust of this argument is immense and finds easy reverberation in mind. There are practical reasons too. First, both internal and external public sentiments are not in sync yet. There is a possibility that the other countries (especially Muslim countries) might view such move in a negative light. Secondly, the Iraqi people can view the Bangladeshi troops as extension of an occupation army and this may spoil our future relationship with Iraq. Lastly, safety of our lesser-armed troops can be in real peril. The daily reports of emerging guerilla warfare are not comfortable news to gut without certain queasiness. For a country like Bangladesh, it can be an internal as well as external disaster, if its troops get in situation similar to that of Nazaf where multiple civilians were killed by the US forces.

Arguments in favour are primarily practical. However, before putting forward those arguments, I shall venture to refute the contrary arguments. Philosophical argument is overpowering and can not be refuted effectively with any amount of logic, unless a totally new paradigm of world order, as advanced by the Bush administration, is accepted. Even with such acceptance, it is difficult to stomach a predation on false pretense. The practical reasons, however, can be refuted with significant ease and certainty. The public sentiment is rather fluid and should be taken as such. It is not so arcane a fact that our politicians have special relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Those Arab States obviously are acting for their own reasons. And one should not forget that an Arab country provided the base and launching pad for the invasion of neighbouring Iraq. So why Bangladesh should worry about the opinions of those countries, who themselves have no opinion of their own? A smidgen of help from fellow third world country eventually shall be appreciated by the people of Iraq. Safety of the troops in a still volatile evolving situation is always a concern. An all-voluntary military (like the one in Bangladesh) must know the nature of their job description. Military leaders must make appropriate plans. Nation's political leaders must make decision for national interest and military has to follow suit. Unexpected eventuality should not tie the hands of astute political judgment.

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Bangladesh opposed the war on moral ground. That was fine. But the fact on ground seems different now. Pre-war morality has to morph now to a post-war reality. And that reality is simple. Bangladesh or no Bangladesh, the US is going to do what it is set out to do. India, Pakistan, Turkey and many other larger countries can say no to the US and still can do business because of other strategically important reasons. Bangladesh has no such luxury. On this specific issue, the importance of Bangladesh lies in its Muslim-majority status and in its functioning (anemic though) democracy. For Bangladesh it is a kind of an economic adrenaline in the vein.

With loss of an important export-advantage to the United States, large sector of Bangladeshi economy is hanging on a languid state. Morality and philosophy sounds great in oration, but eventually it is the "economy stupid!" Bangladesh should plot its course independent of its neighbours. They are in a comparatively better position. They can wait and bargain. Bangladesh should decide fast and I hope positively.

It's a jungle out there. Beasts of prey abound. This is not a pretty world. Deep in the space the massive stars makes the sub-massive ones more submissive, thus making them revolve around and around. Zero plus Zero adds to Zero. One needs to put a real number to get something concrete. That real number seems to be a Big Brother (at least for the present time). I bet, the neighbours shall be there in due time. Getting on the wagon, however, when it is moving, by any means, is not the smarter choice.

Mohammad Zaman resides in North Carolina USA.