Comments for The Art of the End of War at http://www.michaelyon-online.com , comment 1 to 19 out of 19 comments http://www.michaelyon-online.com Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:53:30 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/the-art-of-the-end-of-war.htm#comment-17063 Iraq? There is a war in Iraq? Gosh, I sure woldn't know from reading the papers or the online outlets of the MSM. It makes me wonder where they went, now that we are winning! Michael, thank you for all you have done to get the real story of the Iraqi war out to the public. Keep up the good work and watch your step. We need you. God bless, Lee - Lee Keller King Sun, 01 Feb 2009 17:39:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/the-art-of-the-end-of-war.htm#comment-16745 This piece was cited in the following article: http://www.iraqtomorrow.net/2009/01/05/iraqs-unfinished-business/ - Matt Delventhal Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:42:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/the-art-of-the-end-of-war.htm#comment-16597 I invite you to visit my blog. you can find my last works of art at: www.claudiotomassini.blogspot.com yours Claudio Tomassini - Claudio Tomassini Fri, 26 Dec 2008 22:59:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/the-art-of-the-end-of-war.htm#comment-16550 Finished reading your excellent book while on 4 day R&R and your article listed above on the Rashid DistrictArt Show, where I live and work with the National Police Brigade, and with the Warrior Battalion. You have done one of best jobs I seen reporting what the American Public needs to be seeing and reading. Sorry, I missed you at the Art Show. I was there Thangiving Day. Thanks for doing what you do. - David Williams Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:12:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/the-art-of-the-end-of-war.htm#comment-16506 would it be a good idea if the art were up for sale? maybe on your website? or some other venue? it would be "cool" if we could help the iraqi artists if we had the opportunity to buy some of their work... gus - gus Fri, 05 Dec 2008 23:42:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/the-art-of-the-end-of-war.htm#comment-16465 What a great review of what's going on in Iraq, even if of just a small bit of that current effort. When our wars cease, at least the current ones, I hope Michael Yon keeps on writing about what interests him. Yon sees through knowledgeable eyes and expresses his views well; an art now lost on America's current news media people. - Doug Wright Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:19:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/the-art-of-the-end-of-war.htm#comment-16464 As an Army wife (the one married to SSG Foust), I am very encouraged by what I've just read. When it comes to news about Iraq and Afghanistan, military spouses are split into two groups, ones who seek it out and ones who make every effort to avoid it. I am a seeker but articles/blogs/news reports have slowed down considerably, so I feel especially lucky to read one that not only features my husband's company, but that talks about him and his platoon. You're doing a great thing, people need to hear this sort of ground-level news. - Lauren Foust Wed, 03 Dec 2008 03:18:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/the-art-of-the-end-of-war.htm#comment-16463 "To posit such ideas is to ignore history. The second Great War ended, yet we still maintain a presence in Germany, and throughout Europe. Not to mention post-war Japan. War is over. Yes we will be in Iraq and the rest of the region, probably, for generations to come. We are not leaving. Not in the way that you're thinking. To do so would be the height of folly." The people of Japan at the end of World War II did not have significant internal divisions. Neither did the people of Germany, except for the unnatural division into East and West which was enforced by the two rival occupying powers. The main problems that these peoples faced after the war had to do with the devastation of their homes and their total defeat-- neither of which they could do anything about, leaving them to pretty much just get on with life. The people of Iraq, however, face a much more complicated picture. First, there are the three broad ethnic groups that everyone knows about, along with all the other smaller groups and sub-groups, which have often conflicting interests and still do not trust eachother. The Sunni-Shia divide has generated some of the worst bloodshed so far, but the Kurd-Arab divide has real potential to explode violently, given the Kurdish government's clearly separatist trajectory and the boiling uncertainty over cities such as Kirkouk. Iraq must also deal with the essentially unchecked influence of a sectarian power, Iran, over much of the country, a situation which is not really tolerable to a significant portion of the Iraqi people. And however much inspiring progress has been made against Al-Qaeda, this movement can still not be discounted as a de-stabilizing factor in the country. They do not need a high proportion of popular support to operate. And we can see how they continue to exploit the Arab-Kurdish conflict in and around Mosul. Michael Yon is right that there are many promising signs. Heck, there are some downright amazing, wonderful signs, there is no denying it. But to declare the war over seems obviously premature-- except to the extent that US troops will withdraw within a few years and therefore might miss out on future showdowns. It is actually not correct to say that US troops will be in Iraq for decades to come. It seems pretty clear at this juncture that there will be no long-term bases held as in Germany and Japan, and that US presence after a few years will be at most what it is in places like Colombia-- involved, but without boots on the ground. This is what seems inevitable given the political consensus in the US, the political consensus in Iraq, and the recently signed security agreement. - Matt Delventhal Tue, 02 Dec 2008 23:10:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/the-art-of-the-end-of-war.htm#comment-16462 A civil society is one that admires artists, and has time to admire and critique and argue about their creations. An advanced society is one that can generate and support an Army that promotes the art of a former enemy, to find peace. The Iraqi artists have the opportunity and social obligation to promote healing. if these people admire the kind of Art, that the industrialised western world generated, it's because they are supposed to have overcome the rural type of society, where only "sancted Art" can has its place and sense. Now wether it's good for them or not, depends on their inspiration, if this is just a show to say they aren't ruled by old daemons but finally entered in the global understanding of the western progressive ideal, they'll lose their soul, and their art is just illusion. I hope for them that they don't forget their ancestral culture be Babylon, be the Abbassids civilisation - Marie Claude Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:37:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/the-art-of-the-end-of-war.htm#comment-16461 "they have worked in more than one war." Michael, this makes me crazy! We are only in ONE war, GWOT, in TWO FRONTS! Sorry, but had to make that point. "There was more chatter about the Kenyan sitting in front of me who had been in the Army for a couple years. The other soldiers said he should get automatic citizenship for volunteering to fight, and we all agreed. The soldier came straight from Kenya into our Army. Did not even pass GO, and suddenly was in Iraq." This sounds like one of the soldiers we had at our house three Thanksgivings ago. He was an AIT grad from Kenya who has won a state department lottery online, and came here from Kenya and his first action was to join the Army and sign up to become a medic! What a sweetheart! Was the Kenyan you met a medic? Tell him his "folks" in San Antonio told him Hello!" DagneyT - DagneyT Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:27:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/the-art-of-the-end-of-war.htm#comment-16460 "I have to say though, that while US involvement may be winding down, it seems unlikely that the phase of significant violent conflicts in Iraq is really "over". The Iraqis' most important issues were always between themselves-- it is between themselves that they will ultimately sort them out. Currently, our presence constricts the actions of the parties involved, but we are indeed leaving; and progress towards real solutions may turn out to be insufficient. " To posit such ideas is to ignore history. The second Great War ended, yet we still maintain a presence in Germany, and throughout Europe. Not to mention post-war Japan. War is over. Yes we will be in Iraq and the rest of the region, probably, for generations to come. We are not leaving. Not in the way that you're thinking. To do so would be the height of folly. - Zero Tue, 02 Dec 2008 13:30:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/the-art-of-the-end-of-war.htm#comment-16459 Friend, I salute you for you work in covering this war and cannot help but agree in general with the tone and focus of your dispatches. It is heartening to read the views of someone who "gets" it, all those basic human complexities of the war that would not even occur to the average citizen who has not been there. I have to say though, that while US involvement may be winding down, it seems unlikely that the phase of significant violent conflicts in Iraq is really "over". The Iraqis' most important issues were always between themselves-- it is between themselves that they will ultimately sort them out. Currently, our presence constricts the actions of the parties involved, but we are indeed leaving; and progress towards real solutions may turn out to be insufficient. Also, Al-Qaeda may not be as dead as we all hope. A brief look at their history shows a frighteningly resilient operational model. We can hope and pray that Iraq's future conflicts will not equal the horror of many of her recent experiences. - Matt Delventhal Tue, 02 Dec 2008 07:21:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/the-art-of-the-end-of-war.htm#comment-16458 Friend, I salute you for you work in covering this war and cannot help but agree in general with the tone and focus of your dispatches. It is heartening to read the views of someone who "gets" it, all those basic human complexities of the war that would not even occur to the average citizen who has not been there. I have to say though, that while US involvement may be winding down, it seems unlikely that the phase of significant violent conflicts in Iraq is really "over". The Iraqis' most important issues were always between themselves-- it is between themselves that they will ultimately sort them out. Currently, our presence constricts the actions of the parties involved, but we are indeed leaving; and progress towards real solutions may turn out to be insufficient. Also, Al-Qaeda may not be as dead as we all hope. A brief look at their history shows a frighteningly resilient operational model. We can hope and pray that Iraq's future conflicts will not equal the horror of many of her recent experiences. - Matt Delventhal Tue, 02 Dec 2008 07:18:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/the-art-of-the-end-of-war.htm#comment-16457 Michael, thank you for all the hard work. I have been excited, annoyed, angered, hopeful and overjoyed reading your dispatches over the years. Ned Chipley - I, a fellow Texan, will be making a donation in your name. - Gary Barnes Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:55:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/the-art-of-the-end-of-war.htm#comment-16456 Not enough will ever be said or written to properly bring tribute to the men and women serving our country. They are ever prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for our defense. My hat is off to you for you efforts to present the truth and to shine the proper light on our young men and women. Thank you Michael for all that you have written and may you have the strength to continue. There will, unfortunately, always be a theatre of combat and we will always have need for the services of our military community. - Allen Harp Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:46:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/the-art-of-the-end-of-war.htm#comment-16455 Michael thanks for everything. My admiration for the American soldier has never waned. I knew we could win and we have. Many times, during lunchtimes or dinners, I will have expressed the inspiration I have felt from you, through your dispatches, about the soldiers we hold in such high esteem. I give insights into the war that only you could have given me. I always try to end conversations on a high note no matter what point of view anybody expressed during the conversation. Nowadays I usually end it something like this... "If Michael Yon says the war is over - then it is over. And beleive it or not, in Iraq, we have won." Most peoples jaws drop when I say this. Due to the constant ramblings of the American press Iraq will never be won - at least in their eyes. So, when I say I believe it is over most people just can't believe it. When you told the human stories of our fighting men and woman you helped form a unique and larger picture for me than I ever could have imagined. The complexities of war came more into focus and the valor and courage of most every single man and woman fighting for us shone through. No one has said mistakes were not made or that horrible unfortunate things did not happen. You explained vividly how these damaged the cause but also that when frail humans war on each other there was more to be said for it than a simple glossy magazine cover. There are some things that need done back home. Many of our "esteemed" politicians said things that were abominable about those of us fighting in Iraq. Some, incredibly, have been freshly reelected. I have not yet found a way to bring myself to forgive them for aiding and abetting the enemy. My only hope is to draw on the same strength found within our soldiers. Only then may I find the path to forgiveness for those misguided heathens. But for now, to Afghanistan, to victory and to another critical punishing defeat to Al qaeda. - Kevin Hall Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:32:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/the-art-of-the-end-of-war.htm#comment-16454 Michael, I cannot properly express my appreciation to you for your dedicated service to telling the truth, the whole truth, about the wars we are fighting. I continually tell people in person and via my email list to read your dispatches. This latest one about the End of the War is another excellent dispatch. I'm a retired preacher on Social Security, so cannot support you financially as I wish I could, but you have one vocal supporter here in Deep East Texas. - Ned Chipley Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:45:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/the-art-of-the-end-of-war.htm#comment-16453 We had one of these art shows at FOB Kalsu (45 miles south of Baghdad) in September. Like FOB Falcon, it was a huge success. There were some very beautiful pieces there. They had it in teh DFAC and almost everyone that went to eat stopped in. - Rich Timm Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:52:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/the-art-of-the-end-of-war.htm#comment-16452 We've come a long way. Credit is due to our rank and file military members. The folks who committed themselves to this strugle, persevered when things were down, never gave up, and now may begin to recognize the friuts of their labor. Proud it is they should be! The experience and knowledge gained by the men and women of the military is invaluable. Take for instance SSG Zacchary Foust serving in his fourth combat tour. If SSG Foust decides to stay in the military for his career, he will be an outstanding leader, teacher and roll model to new generations of soldiers. If SSG Foust decides to leave the military for a civilian career, his leadership, character and self confidence will be a benefit to future employers or employees. I never lost faith in the men and women of our military, even in the bleakest hours when the media had abandoned Iraq as a lost cause, the majority leader of the US Senate declared the Iraq war lost, and the surge was an idea yet to be implemented. That faith has been thoroughly justified. To Iraq war veterans in particular, and the men and women of the military in general, I say job well done. - Doug Santo Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:51:00 +0100