Second Thots

While many on the left and in the media — and in some conservative circles as well — have been gleefully declaring victory for the forces of darkness in Iraq, there's something going on over there that might yet fundamentally shift the nature of the struggle in the war-torn country.

Specifically, native Sunni Iraqis are turning on foreign-born Al Qaeda militants. This is important because it means that the most irreconcilable elements of the insurgency might be running out of places to hide. With the surge and the attempt by coalition forces to retake some of these militant strongholds, coupled with more and more local Sunnis having had enough of the bin Laden terrorists in their midst, there might be hope yet that the flame that has kept the insurgency alive is starting to burn out.

Perhaps even more importantly, with such an important dynamic possibly playing out at this crucial stage of the struggle, would it not be a tragic shame if those so eager to see America lose end up being successful in a campaign to start a premature withdrawal of combat forces?

If local Sunnis are starting to participate with coalition forces, that means most of the native Iraqi ethnic groups are participating in the free Iraq project. Isn't that what we've wanted all along? Even if it is late in coming, would it be too much to ask some people to cancel the Al Qaeda victory parades and give freedom any last shot it might have?

There is so much at stake here and still so much to play out. I just hope that the good guys won't have to look back and say they weren't given a full chance to save Iraqis and the world from the abyss. That's all.