Rivalries in Iraq Keep G.I.’s in the Field

To the editor:

With activists protesting for peace globally, it is encouraging to hear that American troops are listening and beginning to take steps in the direction towards peaceful relations with our neighbors overseas. In the 26 January 2010 article Rivalries in Iraq Keep G.I.'s in the Field, Steven Lee Meyers shows what a great example our troops are being for the soldiers whose governments are volatile. I can only applaud American commanders for the efforts in "the hope [is] that cooperation on the ground will give momentum to a political — and peaceful — resolution of the underlying dispute." This collaboration in our armed forces is extremely similar to the collaboration between students in the Soliya project. Each hopes to gain a greater understanding of the other. American soldiers and students alike can hope to put an end to American ignorance of the Middle East, while American troops are providing invaluable support for the Arab and Kurdish soldiers. The more Americans seek to aid the Middle East and the less they try to change it or take over, the greater the impact we can have in the war and the closer we can get to reaching peace. Lt. General Charles H. Jacoby, Jr. :“...we keep bringing it back to focusing on: O.K., where and how do we provide the best security to the Iraqi people? And how does that create the environment that will someday allow for political process to take place?” Way to go, soldiers!