Iraq, Doing FAR Better Than Reported
We report when they get it wrong, and now we can report when they get it right…
And it’s about time some American news source describes how well most of Iraq is doing since the US led overthrow of Saddam’s regime. It is a fact that escapes too many in the western media who’s only goal seems to be to attack America in general and George W. Bush n particular.
WHILE the American political elite is using Iraq as an excuse for fighting internal political wars, a different reality is taking shape in parts of this war-torn nation. Wherever some measure of security is assured – that is to say in more than 80 percent of Iraq – towns and villages long left to die a slow death are creeping back to life.
Nowhere is this slow but steady return to life more startling than in Um Qasr, in the southeast extremity of Iraq on the Persian Gulf. Four years ago, this was a jumble of rusting quays, abandoned houses and gutted buildings. By the spring of 2003, its population had dwindled to a few dozen, along with hundreds of stray dogs. There was even talk of abandoning it altogether.
The story goes on to describe how an Iraqi cell phone company is poised to make 500 million dollars this year and how soft drinks and cars are big sellers all across Iraq. Other reports recently have hinted at how well the satellite TV business is booming in Iraq, as well.
But here is an important thing to keep in mind…
But what about continued terrorist attacks? Most foreign investors coming to make money in Iraq shrug their shoulders. “Doing business in any Arab country is always risky,” says a Turkish investor who has set up a trucking company and a taxi service. “In some Arab countries, you risk nationalization or straight confiscation by the ruler. In other Arab countries, you must give a cut to one of the emirs. Here, you face possible terrorist attacks. But such attacks are transitory.”
With the volatility of the MidEast, not just Iraq but the region over, Iraq is no worse than any other country in the region as far as it being safe to create and sustain a business. And it is fast becoming one of the most desirable places to do so with the stability and friendliness to business the US has offered potential investors.
Unfortunately, this story of the economic success of Iraq will never make most of the western media because it doesn’t fit in with the desired goal of destroying president Bush and the USA.
At least, once in a great while, we do get a story here and there that tells us some truth. Good going New York Post.
| More from Warner Todd Huston
Stumble It!

January 2nd, 2007 at 8:35 am
The MSM will not report on the economic boom in Iraq for the same reason that you NEVER hear them interview military personnel who have actually served there. It does not fit their agenda. They will feed us hours of drivel from the likes of Cindy Sheehan, but not one word from a GI back from an Iraq tour. Sheehan lost a son in Iraq, but have you noticed that the MSM never interview that soldier’s father? His views also do not fit their agenda.
January 2nd, 2007 at 8:49 am
A cynical person would blast an artcile that claims that soft drink sales, cell phones, and satellite TV are an indicator of things going VERY well in a country where the various factions cannot wait to videotape the next beheading. I’m right there with you in supporting this mission from the beginning and still do, but I have to say this kind of article strikes me a bit silly. Sure there is good news, but can we agree that there is actual real tangible bad news as well, independent of the MSM spinning it?
We will nevr reach an actionable consensus as long as both sides of this debate insist on having it 100% their way. The right is nearly as guilty as the left in this regard, its just the left has the help of the MSM. If the MSM was controlled by conservatives we’d be seeing endless news reports about coka cola sales and happy Iraqi kids swilling it in the streets.
Geez folks.
January 2nd, 2007 at 2:58 pm
It does not matter what the situation really is on the ground in Iraq. The US population is no longer mature enough to fight a war. I will remember the way they made the wind blow, and everyone blew with it, in the last election. I believe in our military totally. The military did its job, the people failed. Even if Israel is being attacked by all the surrounding countries, I will never agree to send our military to war again, when I know they will just get backstabbed.