Spring Break
Students, faculty give their perspectives on Iraq war
Personal experiences, thoughts on issue shared
Jennifer Hietpas
Issue date: 5/8/06 Section: Campus News
With media coverage reporting on the War in Iraq, students and professors, some of whom have served in the war, give a first-hand glimpse into what everyday life is like in Iraq.
In spite of reports of growth in Iraq, there is still much work to be done, said Ali Abootalebi, Middle East and international politics professor.
"There are some development projects going on," he said. "(The Iranians) are building an airport in Negev in cooperation with the Iraqis, they are trying to build a pipeline coming from Basra to Iranian territory and they are trying to have economic cooperation there."
He said one claim that is being made is that the Iraqi situation is better than it is being portrayed in the media. The claim is that the United States military is in the process of repairing electrical power systems, water and sewage systems, gas pipelines, roads and infrastructure.
However, Abootalebi said much of the money devoted to Iraq has been for security, not infrastructure.
"In terms of oil production we know that, three years after the invasion, the oil production and export is not at the pre-invasion level," he said. "Oil production has not really recovered, so to speak. It has gone down, because of … sabotage and because of lack of security."
The main necessity, Abootalebi said, is an independently functioning Iraqi military.
"Basically," he said, "in a nutshell, (Iraq's) economic recovery is hampered by lack of security."
Senior Jeff Baldovin agreed with Abootalebi that security is a financial priority in Iraq.
"That's true that a lot of money is being spent on security," Baldovin said, "but what other choice is there?"
Baldovin served as sergeant for the Army National Guard, 724th Engineer Battalion after the preliminary invasion of Iraq.
"I think we're making progress in Iraq, but maybe not as fast as people would like it," Baldovin said. "The war is just taking longer than anticipated, but that does not change the nature of the conflict and our objective."
In spite of reports of growth in Iraq, there is still much work to be done, said Ali Abootalebi, Middle East and international politics professor.
"There are some development projects going on," he said. "(The Iranians) are building an airport in Negev in cooperation with the Iraqis, they are trying to build a pipeline coming from Basra to Iranian territory and they are trying to have economic cooperation there."
He said one claim that is being made is that the Iraqi situation is better than it is being portrayed in the media. The claim is that the United States military is in the process of repairing electrical power systems, water and sewage systems, gas pipelines, roads and infrastructure.
However, Abootalebi said much of the money devoted to Iraq has been for security, not infrastructure.
"In terms of oil production we know that, three years after the invasion, the oil production and export is not at the pre-invasion level," he said. "Oil production has not really recovered, so to speak. It has gone down, because of … sabotage and because of lack of security."
The main necessity, Abootalebi said, is an independently functioning Iraqi military.
"Basically," he said, "in a nutshell, (Iraq's) economic recovery is hampered by lack of security."
Senior Jeff Baldovin agreed with Abootalebi that security is a financial priority in Iraq.
"That's true that a lot of money is being spent on security," Baldovin said, "but what other choice is there?"
Baldovin served as sergeant for the Army National Guard, 724th Engineer Battalion after the preliminary invasion of Iraq.
"I think we're making progress in Iraq, but maybe not as fast as people would like it," Baldovin said. "The war is just taking longer than anticipated, but that does not change the nature of the conflict and our objective."