Victor Davis Hanson, just back from Iraq.

Radio Blogger ^ | February 24, 2006 | Hugh Hewitt

[Jeff Chandler]

...

HH: And do you think we are going to lose it? Or win it?

VDH: No, I think we're going to win it, and I think that we're going to see dramatic results at the end of this year, 2006. And by 2007, like I said, it's going to be a situation like Korea, and that's going to be terrible for bin Laden, and the people in Iran and Syria.

... MP3 of interview with Victor Davis Hanson

[Jeff Chandler]

Interesting interview with Victor Davis Hanson. Good counterpoint to William F. Buckley's doom and gloom.

[new yorker 77]

Buckley is here.

Hanson was there.

[butternut_squash_bisque]

If they can keep it from reverting to an islamic state, it might work. I don't think they're that strong, yet. Maybe one day. I hope I'm wrong.

[LS]

I already predicted this in my forthcoming book: "America's Victories: Why the U.S. Wins Wars and Will Win the War on Terror,"

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1595230211/qid=1139189351/sr=1-6/ref=sr_1_6/104-8051195-6435107?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

This one's gonna knock your socks off. Due out 5/18.

[billbears]

Buckley was, is, and shall continue to be a conservative leader. Vic is a historian with a focus on pre 300 BC Greece who thinks he can compare every historical event to that specific period of time. Mr. Buckley continues to be proven correct sometimes even years after his statements.

[new yorker 77]

Buckley is wrong.

He is justifying his wrong assertions with an irresponsible article.

Bitter, old and wrong is a sad state for Buckley.

He is a former leader.

[Mears]

Frankly,my earlier optimism about Iraq has gone. I hope Mr Hanson is right,though.

[Monti Cello]

Perhaps you are correct...I would be interested in knowing some of Buckley's correct predictions which you mention.

Buckley is certainly entitled to his opinion, and he is entitled to have it considered seriously. My only gripe is that he gives a scathing critique of the current approach without providing much of an alternative option. As a conservative leader, that's also part of his burden.

If the constructive, hearts and minds, build schools, power and water works plan is a pipe dream, then what's the alternative other than to break out the hammer and tongs, and brace for full-scale barbarism?

[paul in cape]

I've always thought that we will not win, nor will we lose, the War on Terror. The best we can hope for is to kill as many terrorists as we possibly can, like the arcade game Whack-A-Mole, as well as rooting out the cells. But the War on Terror will be won by moderate Muslims, who want to be part of the modern world. They are the ones who can defeat terrorism, by destroying the mindset of the terrorists. They need to make suicide bombing unacceptable to the Muslim community.

We can help and support them. They, with our assistance, can change the Middle East and the world.

This is another reason I've come around to favor the UAE port deal. We need to suport any pro-modern regime in the Middle East. We can't make their job impossible, especially if they've gone out of their way to help the War on Terror. Besides, anything the corrupt unions are against, I tend to be in favor of.

[DoughtyOne]

My opinion of Buckley runs along the lines of yours.

[new yorker 77]

I am not going to pile on Buckley, but the opinion of those so far away from Iraq are irresponsible.

140 killed in four days in sectarian violence in Iraq = CIVIL WAR.

190 Murders in the US during this same four day period = business as usual.

[STD]

Bush-bots reporting for disinformation duty

[Inkie]

Buckley has some points, but he speaks as if it's a done deal and others, like Hanson, etc., admit mistakes but think we can still win. I want to believe Hanson, but I don't have a lot of faith in the Iraqi people. I think most are hedging their bets, taking what they can from us while we're doling out the goodies, and they will turn on us as soon as we're not looking.

[DoughtyOne]

Good point.

[Jeff Chandler]

140 killed in four days in sectarian violence in Iraq = CIVIL WAR.

190 Murders in the US during this same four day period = business as usual.

Robert Kaplan addresses this very subject here.

[new yorker 77]

When the troops start acting like Buckley by preferring the shelter of the US and fail to reenlist to go back to Iraq, then Buckley's rant will make sense, but that has not happened.

The very people most in harms way choose to reenlist to go back to Iraq.

Volunteers for failure or folks steeped in a reality that now escapes the sheltered and pampered Buckley.

[adam_az]

"But the War on Terror will be won by moderate Muslims, who want to be part of the modern world. They are the ones who can defeat terrorism, by destroying the mindset of the terrorists. They need to make suicide bombing unacceptable to the Muslim community."

We can help and support them."

First, you'll have to find them. Good luck.

[romanesq]

I think Buckley's article is not directly stating defeat. He appears to be carefully couching the defeat based on what the expectations were before the engagement.

I could be wrong but I think he is leaving some wiggling room. And it's intentional.

[Inkie]

Yes, I know that's a fact. A friend's son did three tours. When I thanked him for his service, he put his hand over his heart and said, "It's an honor." I could barely keep back the tears. He's a Marine.

[new yorker 77]

You can't wiggle out of "FAILURE" in the headline.