Sunrise Over Fallujah Discussion Question 3

After learning of the full plan called 'Operation Iraqi Freedom' and talking with the sheik named Hamid, evaluate Robin's group's role in the war and if invading Iraq was even necessary in the first place.

An Iraqi sheik pictured with Barack Obama.

Robin's group's role, and the invasion of Iraq in the first place for that matter, are both futile and mostly unnecessary. The search for weapons of mass destruction is proving to be a waste of time and money, while the upside of the invasion is that Saddam Hussein was taken down. Robin's group goes into a building to talk to Hamid, a sheik, and they learn of the full plan by listening to Major Scott speak to Hamid. As the two are negotiating and trying to come to terms of a cooperation pact, it is revealed that many Iraqi citizens are not willing to cooperate with this 'stabilization' of the political and social structures in Iraq. Major Scott also reveals that he is not even sure that the weapons of mass destruction that they are searching for exist, saying "...[we are] searching for the major weapons systems that we are pretty sure exist" (435). These seemingly fruitless results of the invasion of Iraq make the war all the more unnecessary and profligate. After speaking with Hamid for a few minutes, Major Scott receives a stern answer to his proposed stabilization plan for Iraq. "'Do you really think that we have the problems that your papers are reporting?' Hamid asked. 'Do you think that people who have lived together for more years than your country has been in existence suddenly find it impossible?...No, my friend. Everyone knows that eventually you will miss the warmth of your own bed, the blue eyes of your own wives, and then you will go home. Then who will rule Iraq?'" (437). Hamid is speaking from his heart now, and is not reading from some script that a politician wrote for him. What he is saying is truly how Iraqi citizens feel, and it shows Major Scott and Robin's group that their role in the war is virtually futile. Hamid understands that even if America set up this government system, they will eventually leave and everything will fall back into place and Iraq would be under the rule of Iraqis once again. However, Iraq would have to deal with an emotionally torn country with citizens who lost family and friends. For these matters, Robin's group's role and the initial invasion of Iraq is essentially useless other than the fact that they have gotten rid of Saddam Hussein. The people in Iraq have lived peacefully for years, and America invaded in search for weapons that are still undiscovered and disturbed this peace with the killing of thousands of innocent civilians. This does not sound very necessary.