The war in Iraq is constantly being evaluated and criticized because Americans do not see any results. Billions of dollars have been poured into this war and for what? The U.S. death toll in Iraq is more than 3,000, so why aren't these brave soldiers coming home or being redirected somewhere else? If one turns on the news they will see negative progress in the war, so there obviously has to be something Americans are not seeing that is causing the military to remain obstinate in its mission. The following facts show the growth and development of Iraq, which is directly connected to the U.S.'s success in the war. These facts can be verified at the U.S. Department of Defense's Web site http://www.defenselink.mil/.

The government and education system is improving. The Iraqi government currently employs 1.2 million Iraqi people. More than 3,000 schools have been renovated, 364 schools are under rehabilitation, 263 new schools are now under construction and 38 new schools have been completed in Iraq. Iraq's higher educational structure consists of 20 universities, 46 institutes or colleges and four research centers, all currently operating.

Iraq is building the country's defense. The Iraqi Navy is now fully operational. It has five 100-foot patrol craft, 34 smaller vessels and a naval infantry regiment. Iraq's Air Force consists of three operational squadrons, which includes nine reconnaissance and three US C-130 transport aircraft (under Iraqi operational control) which operate day and night, and will soon add 16 UH-1 helicopters and four Bell Jet Rangers. Iraq has a counter-terrorist unit and a Commando Battalion. The Iraqi Police Service has more than 55,000 fully trained and equipped police officers. There are five police academies in Iraq that produce more than 3,500 new officers every eight weeks.

Iraq is in the process of developing health and business centers to improve the quality of life and strengthen their market. There are more than 1,100 building projects occurring. They include 364 schools, 67 public clinics, 15 hospitals, 83 railroad stations, 22 oil facilities, 93 water facilities and 69 electrical facilities. Ninety-six percent of Iraqi children under the age of five have received the first two series of polio vaccinations. Iraq has an independent media that consists of 75 radio stations, 180 newspapers and 10 television stations. The Baghdad Stock Exchange opened in June of 2004.

It is important to know these facts because American soldiers are dying for the growth and freedom of Iraq. American support is necessary to help Iraq become an independent, free nation. Some people argue that America's presence in Iraq is solely for the good of our own nation and we are being abusive with our power. If somehow the facts I just presented seem in any way abusive to the nation of Iraq, I do not see it. These facts were presented to hopefully open the eyes of the American people to see the great things our soldiers are doing in Iraq.

Ben Beachler
Freshman
Operation Management
Accounting