Cleaning Up the Town

"Michael J. Totten's Middle East Journal" gives a look at Iraq and other places that you won't find in traditional news media.

For example: "The Dungeon of Fallujah -- Upgraded

"Last month I published a piece here called The Dungeon of Fallujah about my visit to the wretched jail in the city. As it turns out, the place was worse than I thought. Prisoners had to supply their own food or starve. I didn't report that detail because I didn't know it. But Marine Major General John Kelly (whom I don't think I met) read my report, investigated the jail, and fixed it. ..."

'Was it worth it?'

Was it worth it, helping Japan get back on its feet after WWII? Today we have a trade partner and occasional ally. That wouldn't have happened, if we'd pulled out early.

A half-century from now, I'd rather have my descendants dealing with a prosperous and stable Iraq, than with the mess that's likely to result if America decides to abandon the country and region.