Just what does victory in Iraq mean? If it means military dominance, then we surely can declare victory. But does it also mean that Americans now are safer? Does anyone believe that? Our government certainly doesn’t. They warn of imminent retaliatory terrorist attacks on Americans.

Did this war stabilize the region and bring peace? Already our government is threatening Syria by claiming “weapons of mass destruction” are hidden there and is using the same operative equation used to justify invading Iraq: war equals peace.

Are the Iraqi people better off today? Thousands have been killed and wounded, the country’s infrastructure has been devastated, and many are without water, food and medicine. Will the Iraqi people be better off a year from now or five years from now? Only time will tell, but our recent record is not encouraging.

Look at the promises made to poor Afghanistan. The administration “forgot” to put any reconstruction or support funds for them into the budget. The Taliban has returned, President Karzai’s strongest ally recently was assassinated, and Afghans feel abandoned by the United States, as indeed they have been. Maybe victory needs to be defined before it is claimed.

Sue Newlin

Deer Isle