Why ban masks for Iraqi interpreters? Posted by The Editors

This is a post from Eric Auner

The Washington Post reports that the US military has barred “Iraqi interpreters working with American troops in Baghdad from wearing ski masks to disguise themselves, prompting some to resign and others to bare their faces even though they fear it could get them killed.” If the identities of these interpreters become widely know, the interpreters (and their families) become targets for violent reprisal.  The only rationale cited by the article is a spokesman saying “We are a professional Army and professional units don't conceal their identity by wearing masks.”  This same spokesman said that those “dissatisfied” with the new policy ‘can seek alternative employment." By “dissatisfied,” perhaps he means “in fear of being killed.”  A Staff sgt. who works in Baghdad said of the new policy "I don't see anything wrong with them wearing a mask. Why risk the lives of those who work with us?"

Counterinsurgency is all about demonstrating to the populous that you can in fact keep them safe from the insurgents and at some point that means returning to some kind of normalcy.  In all likelihood, the unstated reason for this policy is the desire to send the message that the US military and the Iraqi Security Forces are able to protect interpreters.  Unfortunately, this presupposes an unrealistically optimistic assessment of the current conditions on the ground in Iraq.  Even now “The Mahdi Army, the armed group led by anti-American Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, collects and distributes photos of interpreters working with U.S. troops.” Also, consider Mexico, where federal troops battling drug cartels in Chihuahua don’t “dare show their faces, wearing ski masks instead.” If federal soldiers in Mexico are that frightened, one can only imagine what the Iraqi interpreters are experiencing.

In a war that offers few clear choices, this seems like a nonsensical policy that appears to only endanger those Iraqis that have actually chosen to help us.  There is no reason to add to the “nearly 300 interpreters” slain since 2003 in Iraq.  The truth is that despite the improving security situation the country remains a very violent place to live and work, and it will remain so for years to come even after the current withdrawal deadline of 2011.

Comments

[marc]

In practice all third world workers, including Iraqis, employed by the U.S. Military, State Department, USAID and especially their contractors, subcontractors and sub subcontractors have always been treated as consumable resources. They are cheap, completely disposable and ridiculously easy to replace.

[MB]

I hope you got Carpal Tunnel, writing that trash.

"The capitalists have tried to falsify the actual age of the Universe and the infinite cycle of a Big Bang followed by a Big Crunch, meaning a closed rather than an open universe, because the reality of a closed universe does not fit with the religious brainwash of a single creation and belief in a supernatural fictitious “god.”"

The Universe is expanding and the expansion is accelerating. Your premise is 100 percent wrong. Everything following from your erroneous premise is also wrong.

Take it somewhere where people aren't so bright. That's your comfort zone.

[replica Prada Handbags]

The Universe is expanding and the expansion is accelerating.

[Tiffany replica Jewelry]

The Universe is expanding and the expansion is accelerating.

[Tiffany replica Jewelry]

The Universe is expanding and the expansion is accelerating.

[Tiffany Bangle]

The Universe is expanding and the expansion is accelerating.

[fake Gucci Bangle]

fake Gucci Bangle

[luxury watches]

I am so with you,rolex watch
luxury watch

[cheap coach bags]

Great comments! You are so nice, man! You never know how much i like'em!

[sohbet odaları]

This is a very good site..

sonra bedava chat
burasıda var bedava sohbet

[FFXIV Gil]

Are you fighting in Final Fantasy XIV for FFXIV Gil or Final Fantasy XIV Gil?
Can you suffer yourself being called newbie in FFXIV Gil game?
Are you seeking unofficial Buy FFXIV Gil cheats or Final Fantasy XIV guides in order to make Final Fantasy XIV Gil faster?
Can you get millions of Cheap FFXIV Gil in one day?
Even if you know how to farm Buy Final Fantasy XIV Gil you have to prepare enough Final Fantasy XIV Power Leveling first to buy height class Final Fantasy XIV Items, to upgrade your Final Fantasy XIV characters.
FF14 Gil Then why not Buy FFXIV Gil from us?
In Final Fantasy XIV it's the fastest way FF14 Gil,for you to get rich. We are online 24 hours a day ready and 7 days one week to power up your FFXIV Gil accounts with FFXIV Gil. Here is the best place for the Final Fantasy XIV Online players to buy your Final Fantasy XIV Gil.
We are the professional website in FFXIV GIL sale.FFXIV GIL here,We are professional FFXIV Power Leveling online. We update price every single day to make sure we are the lowest in the market.(we don't compare price with scam sites which uses unbelievable low price to deceive.)
Our slogan:Cheapest price, Fastest delivery, Best service! Final Fantasy Xiv Gil
In the 2 years we are in this field , FFXIV Gilbuilt many business with tens of thousands of customers. They are very satisfied with our service.So if you want to get a log of Cheap FFXIV Gil ,no doubt ,come to our website to buy. Our customer service is ready for you on line now!(WWW,GM MMO,COM Sell FFXIV Gil)

[3g usb modem]

well! i like this interesting post,thank you your sharing!

[iPhone Cases]

How to Take Care of Right iPhone

Cases in for Fall 2010 I believe that every fashion person will not miss this

fall’s essential articles.

[thomas sabo anhänger]

Es gibt Unmengen von Verkaufsstellen - sowohl online als auch offline, thomas sabo charm die spezialisiert auf Groß-Kleidung sowie Schmuck. thomas sabo anhänger Wenn Sie einige stilvolle Einkäufe zu machen möchten, thomas sabo charms reduziert können Sie vielleicht wollen für die günstige Angebote suchen. thomas sabo charms günstig Shops kommen oft mit verschiedenen Rabattsysteme, um so zur Förderung der Verbraucher, thomas sabo anhänger günstig ihre Aufträge in Stapeln statt. Auf einigen Fällen werden Sie wahrscheinlich auch über einige erstaunliche Abverkäufe dass exklusiven Designs zu erschwinglichen Preisen anbieten zu kommen. thomas sabo anhänger billig Dieses Konzept zu einem gewissen Grad ähnlich BIP Fundamentalismus, nämlich die Ausübung des BIP besser, schneller BIP-Wachstum, desto besser. BIP ist das Ziel, thomas sabo 2010 wie sich die Verteilung des BIP, in der Diskussion. Ökonomen kritisieren oft die Replica Watches Wohlfahrtsstaatsmodells Auffassung, thomas sabo reduziert dass die Regierungen Schwedens durch ein progressives Steuersystem und die Grundsteuer weg die meisten reichen Leute des Reichtums, thomas sabo shop die Unterstützung von der Wiege bis zum Grab des großen Systems der sozialen Sicherheit.

[pandora Jewelry]

Place one matted light pandora Jewelry left of the area for jewellery, and one to the right. pandora sale Place reflector light near where the camera is. Whatever you do, avoid mixing light types. pandora charms Use only non-fluorescent lights, and isolate your photo 'lab' away from natural light. pandora bracelets To have freedom with many settings that will be a must, we will have to use longer exposures. For longer exposures to pandora bracelet achieve maximum sharpness, we'll need a tripod. pandora bracelets sale Our hand shakes too much, when camera runs at exposition Buy a 'tripod' for You don't need a heavy duty tripod. pandora bangles If your setup will be on a desk, you can chose mini tripod - approx and stand tripod on the pandora necklaces desk as well, or longer tripod, approxand stand it on the floor. pandora beads Two desk lamps with soft light irrelevant if you are using photo tent -- the tent is there to soften the light and reflector light at the front. pandora earrings I keep the cube open at the front, for easier adjustments and photographs, unless jewellery is highly reflective of the image of me taking photograph. Uniform background colour is recommended. White background works great.

[led mining lamp]

Specialize in manufacture explosion proof light, including: explosion proof floodlight, led flashlight, spot lamp, led mining light, led searching light with rechargeable battery in China.

[Doll Penny]

It's sorry to hear that Some white iphone 4 buyers have reported signal reduction when the phone is held in certain ways, especially in the left hand, as the antenna problem is in the bottom left corner of the phone's side casing. Is that mean i have to wait longer to get the white iphone 4?

[Cách nhiệt]

Thanks for the post. There are several things I need to know via this discussion.