Iraqi Refugees Strain Already Scarce Water Resources in Jordan

Jordan is a nation of 5.9 million people, about 40-50% of whom are formerly Palestinian refugees, and an increasing number of whom are Iraqis fleeing violence. This week, I am in Amman to meet with Jordanian and U.S. government officials, NGO representatives and analysts on a fact-finding mission regarding the effects of the Iraqi humanitarian crisis on the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

This is my first trip to the Middle East, and the first thing that struck me about Jordan was how dry everything is. The landscape is dusty and greenery is scarce. On the weather report, where I am used to seeing "sunshine" or "partly cloudy" or "rain," the Jordanian forecast indicates "smoke." Indeed, the air is so dry, it is at times difficult for me to breathe.

One of my first meetings, with the Jordanian Ministry of Water and Irrigation (MOWI), revealed why: Jordan is the fourth most water-poor country in the world, and in fact the top ten are all in the Middle East. Jordan has about 140 cubic meters of water per capita per year, compared with a world average water use of about 650 cubic meters/person, and around 1,900 cubic meters/person in North America. You don't have to be an expert in the metric system to see the huge difference there -- can you imagine reducing your water consumption by 92.6 percent?

That's hard enough, but imagine having to decrease your use of this precious resource even more as your country's population expands rapidly due to an inflow of other nationalities. Whether you accept the Fafo estimate of 500,000 Iraqis in Jordan since 2003 or the larger UN estimate of 750,000, and whether you consider these people refugees, immigrants or visitors, the strain on the Jordanian infrastructure is clear.

All the Jordanians with whom I've met, particularly at MOWI, have been extremely compassionate towards the plight of their Iraqi neighbors. The MOWI officials made clear that protecting these people and meeting their needs is the top concern. "We want peace for the region and an end to Iraqi suffering, and only secondly to decrease the pressure on Jordan's water resources," one MOWI representative told me. And I believe him. But how many more people can one little water-poor country take?

Jordan is currently in the process of revising its "Master Plan" for future investment projects to meet the water needs of its people. When I asked whether the needs of Iraqi refugees were being incorporated into this new plan, with the assumption that these newcomers would be around for a while, the answer I received was straight-forward and realistic. "We regard them as people settling in Jordan, not as citizens. But yes, we are including them in our planning. We must revise our plans to accomodate these demographic changes. The plan must be dynamic, to provide for things like drought or increased numbers of refugees."

The Jordanian government, as well as organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and USAID, is working hard to develop solutions to Jordan's chronic and worsening water shortages. Projects include desalinization, dams, canals, more efficient usage and re-usage, expanded and improved treatment plants, and tapping into the "Disi Aquifer" shared with Saudi Arabia. But such projects cost money, and despite a relatively high economic growth rate of 6.1%, cash for investment in Jordan can be as difficult to come by as water. Many projects must compete for scarce resources. Yet the strain on Jordan's water supply continues to grow.

This month, fewer refugees returned to Iraq from Jordan than in previous months, and the flow of people leaving Iraq remains considerably higher than the rate of return. But the future is uncertain. MOWI officials expressed optimism that with continued development of alternative water sources, by 2022 Jordan will actually have a water surplus. Less hopeful are USAID estimates that, absent dramatic changes in water resource management and public perception, water shortages will bring economic development to a halt and disable the Jordanian government's provisions for its people by 2020. Precisely what role the possible continued and/or increased presence of Iraqis will play in those predictions remains to be seen.

The Surge and Sadr's Ceasefire

"Is the surge working" is an oversimplified and deceptive question. The surge has served a purpose in increasing stability in Iraq, yes. But a lot of the things it has supposedly achieved can be attributed to other causes. And here's a big one: Muqtada al-Sadr's ceasefire.

Sadr leads the Shi'a Mahdi Army. It's arguably the biggest and most powerful insurgent group, and Sadr is a charismatic figure widely-respected amongst Shi'ite Muslims in Iraq (who make up about 60-65% of the Iraqi populace).

In 2006 and early 2007, Sadr and his followers were on the rise, gaining ground and expanding operations. But with this expansion came control problems -- corruption in the lower echelons, in-fighting and splinter groups, unsanctioned violence. That was about when we were hearing horror stories of death squads in the streets, and rates of violence in Iraq were high.

The U.S. surge made the internal divisions amongst the Shi'ites worse. So in order to regain control, Sadr announced a six-month freeze on all Mahdi Army activities, starting in August of 2007. This ceasefire has mostly held and, together with increased U.S. and Iraqi military presence in Baghdad, helps account for the dramatic drop in violence. But how long can we expect that to last?

Today, many are breathing a sigh of relief as Sadr announced a 6-month extension of the ceasefire. But that doesn't mean we'll have smooth sailing from here on in. According to an excellent report from the International Crisis Group (ICG), "the situation remains highly fragile and potentially reversible. If the U.S. and others seek to press their advantage and deal the Sadrists a mortal blow, these gains are likely to be squandered, with Iraq experiencing yet another explosion of violence."

Instead, the ICG recommends that the U.S. and Iraqi forces work on incorporating Sadr and his followers into the political process. They suggest narrowly circumscribing operations against the Mahdi Army and Sadrist movement by:

(a) focusing on legitimate military targets, including armed groups involved in attacks against civilians or U.S. or Iraqi forces, weapon stockpiles and hideouts, or arms smuggling networks;

(b) taking action against Sadrist-manned patrols or checkpoints; and

(c) tolerating Sadrist activities that are strictly non-military, including those involving education, media, health services and religious affairs.

The ICG also urges freezing recruitment into the Shi'ite sahwa (awakening), the U.S.-backed tribe- and citizen-based militia set up to fight the Mahdi Army. Instead, we should concentrate on building a professional, non-partisan security force, integrating vetted Mahdi Army fighters.

So you see, whether or not gains attributed to the surge can be maintained depends on how smart our forces play it with Muqtada al-Sadr. In fact, a lot of the gains themselves might be more accurately attributed to Sadr's ceasefire. It's not a simple question of the number of troops, but rather a complex intersection of factionalized local politics, religious and sectarian divides, and fragile cooperation.

Iraqi Refugees Return to Challenges

EPIC's Erik Gustafson was quoted in an excellent article about the prospects and problems faced by Iraqi refugees returning home. Here's an excerpt:

The Migration Policy Institute's Kathleen Newland argues that the Iraqi government is no longer encouraging large-scale returns.

"Before very many people had returned, the Iraqi government said to the ministry and to agencies assisting refugees in Syria to stop these organized returns because the Iraqi government just could not handle them," says Newland. "They were afraid that a large number of returnees might destabilize the situation if they try to get back to their houses that are occupied by others and that people would come back because of a monetary payment to a situation that really is not safe for them."

That view is shared by Erik Gustafson, Executive Director of the non-profit Education for Peace in Iraq Center, which is based in Washington. He says Iraq still does not have the necessary infrastructure to support large numbers of returnees.

"We are seeing some steps like the distribution of oil revenues start to move in the right direction. But there are still a lot of roadblocks in terms of getting the resources out to the communities. A lot of Iraq's government ministries operate as the personal fiefdoms of whatever political party has that ministry and not truly operating on a national level," says Gustafson.

Returning Iraqis often face a shortage of housing and basic services, and residency restrictions in most governorates. Displacement specialist Dana Graberladek of the International Organization for Migration says those who have nowhere to go take residence in empty buildings or live in boxes on the street. Those who can, stay with relatives or rent.

"Those who are able to return to their homes return to the same conditions that all Iraqis are now facing: insecurity throughout the country, a lack of employment, a lack of access to medical services because there has been a flight of medical professionals. Many of the health centers and hospitals do not have the equipment and the medicine, overcrowded schools for those areas that have experienced an increase of internal displacement," says Graberladek.

For the full text of the article, click here.

Headlines 2/19/08

UN Says Iraqi Refugees Need More Help
Associated Press
February 19, 2008
Iraq's government and international community must give more funding and support to resettle Iraqi refugees displaced by sectarian bloodletting, the United Nation's top official for refugees said Monday.

Iraq inches toward luring big oil investment
Reuters
February 18, 2008
Iraq is inching toward attracting the billions of dollars needed to revamp its oil sector but international oil companies are still not ready to commit the massive sums required.

Sweden and Iraq sign deal to forcibly return asylum-seekers
International Herald Tribune
February 18, 2008
Sweden and Iraq signed a deal Monday that will make it easier for Swedish authorities to return Iraqi asylum-seekers who are not granted residency in the Scandinavian country, the Justice Ministry said.

Influx of Iraqi refugees bring Swedish town to its knees
Associated Free Press
February 17, 2008
A flood of Iraqi refugees to Soedertaelje is straining the infrastructure in this small Swedish town to the bursting point, but integration of the newcomers remains a top priority.

Iraq's Jihad Myths
Washington Post
February 17, 2008
Among Democrats and even many Republicans, it is by now accepted wisdom that the war in Iraq brought huge numbers of holy warriors to the anti-American cause. But is it true?

UN refugee agency boosts presence in Iraq
Associated Free Press
February 16, 2008
The UN refugee agency said Saturday it has boosted its international presence in Iraq and will intensify its efforts to support the war-torn country's two million internally displaced people.

U.S. Struggles to Tutor Iraqis in Rule of Law
New York Times
February 16, 2008
A mob had gathered by the time the F.B.I. agents arrived at the house where an assassin’s bomb killed nine people last year, narrowly missing a deputy prime minister. Fearing their own lives might be at risk, the agents gave themselves no more than 30 minutes to collect evidence.

Syria: Iraqi refugees can stay
United Press International
February 15, 2008
President Bashar Assad promised that no Iraqi refugees will be forced out of Syria while their country remains unsafe, the U.N. refugee chief said Friday.

Making (Some) Progress in Iraq
New York Times
February 14, 2008
Good news is rare in Iraq. But after months of bitter feuding, Iraq’s Parliament has finally approved a budget, outlined the scope of provincial powers, set an Oct. 1 date for provincial elections and voted a general amnesty for detainees.

U.N. seeks help for 'desperate' Iraqi refugees
CNN
February 14, 2008
Some 2 million Iraqis have fled their country, most seeking refuge in Syria and Jordan, and another 2.4 million have been displaced inside Iraq, according to the United Nations. The head of the U.N. refugee agency is on the road this week in the Middle East, trying to drum up more world support for a people in "desperate" straits.

U.S. Makes Major Contribution to Displaced Iraqis

Announced in a State Department press release yesterday, the United States is making an immediate contribution of $125 million to help provide protection and assistance for displaced Iraqis. According to the official statement, "these contributions are part of our large-scale efforts to protect refugees, internally displaced persons, and conflict victims worldwide."

The immediate contributions will include:

- $83 million for the UN High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR)’s $261 million Iraq Situation Supplementary Appeal for 2008. UNHCR will ensure protection and access to essential services and education for displaced Iraqis in Iraq and neighboring countries.

- $2.4 million for the UNICEF portion of the joint UN Education Appeal providing education opportunities to Iraqi children in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Egypt.

- $1 million for the UNICEF portion and $2 million for the WHO portion of the Joint United Nations Health Appeal providing medical assistance to Iraqi refugees in Jordan, Syria and Egypt.

- $5 million for the World Food Program (WFP)’s Emergency Operation distributing basic food rations in Syria.

These contributions are a big step for an administration that has long remained silent on the issue of Iraqi refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). But it is not enough. UNHCR still needs over $100 million this year to meet the needs of Iraqis displaced by violence.

Hopefully, this action will be followed by the U.S. finally taking responsibility for the Iraqi displacement crisis, a humanitarian disaster totalling 4.5 million people, by excepting larger numbers of refugees, including the crisis in public discourse, and making further contributions to the NGOs and governments supporting displaced Iraqis.

Headlines 2/13/08

Iraq refugees cost Jordan 2.2 billion dollars
Associated Free Press
February 13, 2008

Making a Case for a Pause in Troop Cutbacks in Iraq
New York Times
February 13, 2008

Emergency Appeal Targets $265 Million for Aid in Iraq
United Nations Press Release
February 12, 2008

Red Cross Appealing for $19M for Iraq
Associated Free Press
February 12, 2008

Imagine 50 Million American Refugees
The Nation
February 11, 2008

WFP, UNHCR boost assistance to Iraqi refugees in Syria amid lack of funds
AME Info
February 11, 2008

Russia to Write Off Iraqi Debt, Increase Investment
Bloomberg Press
February 10, 2008

Sweden debates Iraq refugee policy: Sweden has taken in far more Iraqi refugees than the U.S. has
The Statesman
February 10, 2008

Army Buried Study Faulting Iraq Planning
New York Times
February 10, 2008

For Broken Iraqis, A Haven of Healing: Children Shattered by War Find Care, Kindness in Jordan
Washington Post
February 10, 2008

Sister from Rochester speaks out on behalf of Iraqi refugees in squalid conditions
Catholic Courier
February 8, 2008

Rep. Hastings and Dingell Call on Secretary Rice to Layout Long-Term Plan for Iraqi Refugee Crisis
Congressional Press Release
February 5, 2008

Iraqi Refugee and IDP Assessment Report
American Friends Service Committee
January 2008

Angelina Jolie Campaigns for Refugees

Click the box and then click "play" to watch Angelina Jolie's CNN interview regarding the Iraqi humanitarian crisis and the U.S. responsibility to help.

Folks, this is what "using your power for good" looks like. EPIC applauds Ms. Jolie's efforts to bring attention to this important cause.

Iraqi Refugee Resettlement Continues to Lag Behind Targets

Press Release from Refugees International

Washington, D.C. –- The number of Iraqi refugees resettled in the United States remained low last month with only 375 Iraqis resettled in January 2008. In response to the latest numbers released today, Refugees International expressed disappointment at the U.S. administration’s continual failure to meet its resettlement targets. In September of 2007, the State Department announced its goal of resettling 12,000 Iraqi refugees by the end of the fiscal year. Thus far, the U.S. has only resettled 1,432 Iraqi refugees in FY 2008. In 2007, the U.S. government only resettled 1,608 Iraqi refugees, despite the fact that the UN Refugee Agency referred 15,477 Iraqis to the U.S.

"It’s hard to imagine a stable Iraq when millions of Iraqis are languishing in neighboring countries. Syria, Jordan and others are unable to provide this huge influx of people with proper housing, food, medical care and education for their children," said Advocate Kristele Younes. "A year ago, the United States made a pledge to address the Iraqi refugee crisis and we have failed to keep that promise. In the President’s last year in office, a real effort should be made to resettle the most vulnerable Iraqi refugees and provide assistance for those still in the region."

On January 23rd, Representatives Hastings and Dingell sent a letter to President Bush urging increased funding for Iraqi refugees, asking for next year’s budget to include $1.5 billion for humanitarian assistance for 2.4 million Iraqis displaced within the country and some 2.5 million refugees being hosted in neighboring countries. The 2008 Defense Authorization Act, which was recently signed into law by the President, also established a special P-2 category and a special immigrant visa for Iraqis who have been targeted because of their affiliation with the U.S. government. Senators Edward Kennedy (D-Mass), Gordon Smith (R-Ore), Sam Brownback (R-Kan), Joe Lieberman (D-Conn) and a number of liberal and conservative Senators supported this bipartisan effort.

"Members of Congress have worked together to ease this crisis and support Iraqis forced from their homes by the violence in their country," added Younes. "Now, the administration must follow through and implement these measures. No matter what future course is taken for the war in Iraq, providing for the well-being of the Iraqi people inside and outside of the country is essential for establishing stability in the Middle East."

However, the 2009 budget request released by President Bush’s administration today reduced funding for refugee assistance by $59 million. "It is disturbing that President Bush is proposing a budget that reduces assistance for refugees," said Advocate Jacob Kurtzer. "The number of refugees is increasing, causing humanitarian emergencies and threatening regional stability, yet the Administration isn’t requesting the necessary funds to address these issues. It is discouraging, and reflects a lack of commitment from the White House to support the needs of refugees worldwide."

Press Release from Refugees International

Headlines 2/6/08

Iraq embassy to ask Jordan to exempt illegals from fines
AFP
February 6, 2008

One Surge That Led to Another
By Michael Gerson
Washington Post
February 6, 2008

Iraq Refugees: Bring Iraqis here
Editorial
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
February 5, 2008

Processing of Iraqi Refugees Remains Slow, U.S. Says
New York Times
February 5, 2008

Iraq issues new law giving Baathists jobs back
Reuters
February 3, 2008

Sweden slashes asylum grants to Iraqi refugees
The Local (Sweden)
February 2, 2008

Palestinian refugees in Iraq call for unity
The International Middle East Media Center
February 2, 2008

Iraq, refugees and moral obligations
By Bernd Debusmann
Reuters
January 30, 2008

Higher oil prices could be boon to Iraq and rebuilding program: report
The Canadian Press
January 30, 2008

UN survey finds 1 in 5 Iraqi refugees are victims of torture or violence
Reuters
January 28, 2008

First Iraqi war refugees heading for NH this week
By Michael Cousineau
New Hampshire Union Leader
January 27, 2008

Refugees are too scared to return to Iraq: A woman who lost her family highlights the plight of Iraq’s forgotten refugees
By Hala Jaber and Ali Rifat
The Sunday Times
January 27, 2008

Severe cold weather pushing living costs to limit for Iraqi refugees
Reuters
January 26, 2008

Super Tuesday

The most interesting take on today's excitement I've seen or read came from science fiction/horror writer Stephen King in Entertainment Weekly Magazine, who compares the primary race and the accompanying media frenzy to a reality TV show. Indeed, American voters seem to be on the edge of their seats today, waiting for the final elimination with rapt attention.

But in all the excitement and frenzy, let's not forget what is really important. The next President of the United States will hold not only the future of our country in his or her hands, but also the lives of millions of Iraqis who have lost their homes and loved ones, suffered untold trauma, and been forced to flee for their lives. The next President will have to decide how much to invest in military solutions, and/or economic and humanitarian ones in order to bring peace and stability to Iraq.

EPIC does not endorse candidates. But we have summarized the Iraq positions of the leading Democratic candidates, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, which we gleaned from their respective websites. The leading Republican candidates, Mitt Romney and John McCain, seem to be following President Bush's lead in not addressing Iraq's humanitarian needs.

We have no doubt that all the candidates are honorable individuals who value human life and want to do the right thing. But why aren't they talking about refugees, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and U.S. obligations to provide humanitarian assistance and protection? Acknowledging and offering a plan to address Iraq’s humanitarian crisis ought to be part of every candidate’s platform on Iraq, and ought to have come up often in speeches and debates. It’s in the best interest of Iraqis, Americans (especially in helping to restore our standing in the region), and international security.

Stephen King points out that "American voters seem to have realized that once they go into the voting booth and pull the curtain closed, they're on their own. No cameras, no celebs, no immunity challenges. Only them and the lever." If you are voting today, don't forget, when the curtain closes, that your vote will have impact not only across this country, but across the world. Please don't forget that with that lever, you may hold the lives of millions of Iraqis in your hands.

State of the Union, State of the Candidates

Last night, President Bush delivered an hour-long State of the Union address touching upon the U.S. economy, healthcare, education, the environment, immigration and other issues relevant to our country.

But on the subject of Iraq, it was the same-old, same-old: is the surge working? Yes, Bush insists, trumpeting its successes while failing to acknowledge the real work that still needs to be done in rebuilding Iraq's infrastructure and economy. Should we withdraw troops? No, Bush maintains, not until their job is done, but he fails to mention the crucial, sustainable development programs that must replace withdrawn troops in order for true peace and security to be established.

And completely absent from Bush's 10 minutes on Iraq and almost 20 minutes on the Middle East was any mention of the four million plus Iraqis displaced by violence, whose unmet needs threaten the stability of the region and thus U.S. interests.

That Bush continues to ignore the humanitarian and economic dimensions of rebuilding Iraq is no surprise. More disturbing is that rhetoric seems similarly adrift amongst the presidential candidates, who drag on with the same old arguments over the surge and "you-supported-the-war, no-you-did" finger-pointing. Like the President, they seem reluctant to discuss what Iraq needs in terms any more specific than "surge" and "withdrawal."

EPIC does not take political sides, but we want you to know where the candidates stand on the real issues in Iraq. For starters, here's a discussion of the leading Democratic candidates (the Republicans are so far taking Bush's lead and not mentioning the word "refugee" at all if they can help it; none of the leading candidates address the crisis on their official websites).

Back in July, Hillary Clinton mentioned increasing aid to refugees. Indeed, the official Iraq policy outlined on her website states:

As our forces redeploy out of Iraq, Hillary would also organize a multi-billion dollar international effort -- funded by a wide range of donor states -- under the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to address the needs of Iraqi refugees.

Her website also mentions funds for reconstruction and aid to NGOs able to best assist the Iraqi people.

Meanwhile, Barack Obama's website is a little more specific. In addition to a detailed six-page plan attached as a .pdf (two pages of which are dedicated to rehashing the over-exposed fact that the candidate did not support the war in 2003), the Obama website states:

Obama believes that America has a moral and security responsibility to confront Iraq’s humanitarian crisis — two million Iraqis are refugees; two million more are displaced inside their own country. Obama will form an international working group to address this crisis. He will provide at least $2 billion to expand services to Iraqi refugees in neighboring countries, and ensure that Iraqis inside their own country can find a safe-haven.

In his more detailed plan, he also makes reference to reconstruction aid, as well as the U.S. responsibility to its Iraqi allies.

These are some good, if vague, ideas -- but why are they relegated to the candidates' websites when they ought to be the subject of intense debates surrounding every primary? Why are we still hearing the same-old, same-old from leaders on both sides instead of a real discussion of durable, long-term solutions? Where are the detailed plans for economic recovery and humanitarian relief?

Bush may be a lame duck at this point, but we won't stop trying to steer political discourse away from useless finger-pointing on whether the war was initially right or wrong. The mistakes are known. Now it's time to be realistic about the challenges, and focus on the solutions.

Headlines 1/24/08

Some great reports and news items about Iraq from the past week or so.

Lawmakers Seek $1.5 Billion to Help Iraqi Refugees
By Walter Pincus
Washington Post
January 24, 2008

A Year Later, Surge's Impact Seen in Some Areas
By Tom Bowman
National Public Radio
January 7, 2008

Remarkable progress in Iraq
By Heller Dale
Washington Times
January 23, 2008

Iraq's New Law on Ex-Baathists Could Bring Another Purge
By Amit R. Paley and Joshua Partlow
Washington Post
January 23, 2008

1 in 5 Iraqi refugees in Syria suffered torture or violence back home
UN News Service
January 22, 2008

UN Envoy Applauds Cut in Iraq Violence
By Edith M. Lederer
The Associated Press
January 22, 2008

Democratic rivals play down value of Iraq surge
By William Shawcross
Financial Times (UK)
January 22, 2008

Iraqi Government Must Not Be Left Alone to Tackle Security, Structural, Political Challenges
By Special Representative Steffan De Mistura
UN Security Council
January 21, 2008

Kept In a State of Limbo
Newsweek International
January 19, 2008

The Iraqi Refugee Crisis: the Need for Action
Migration Policy Institute
January 18, 2008

US Contributes $20 Million to the Joint UN Appeal for Iraqi Refugee Health Problems
U.S. State Department
January 17, 2008

Bush, State Department Continue to Fail U.S. Allies in Need

In his eight days in the Middle East, President Bush visited six countries (seven, depending on how you count Palestine). Among the high points: he re-affirmed American support for a Palestinian state, called on Israel to return to its 1967 borders, and announced a $20 billion dollar arms sale to Saudi Arabia. However, the President remained silent on the Iraqi refugee crisis.

Meanwhile, back in the U.S., State Department spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos has conceded that the U.S. is falling far short of its goal for taking in Iraqi translators and interpreters under threat for working with the United States in Iraq. But contained within his public acknowledgement was something even more disturbing. Gallegos suggested that the State Dept. is counting these specially-designated Iraqis against it's commitment to resettle 12,000 Iraqi refugees in FY 2008.

In fact, Senator Kennedy and Congress recently passed the Refugee Crisis in Iraq Act that requires the admission of 5,000 Iraqis through expedited Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) IN ADDITION TO whatever targets established by the Administration for Iraqi refugees. Furthermore, the Kennedy bill expands who is eligible to apply for SIVs beyond just translators and interpreters (a detail the major media outlets continue to overlook). The mechanism is also intended to help protect especially vulnerable Iraqis who belong to a group facing persecution.

Nevertheless, there is a reason why Iraqi translators and interpreters are getting most of the attention. According to the Washington Post:

Thousands of Iraqi translators have assisted U.S. forces since the invasion of Iraq in 2003, risking their lives and leaving their families vulnerable to retaliation from insurgents who see them as accomplices of American troops.

More than 250 of the interpreters working with the United States -- or with U.S. contractors -- have been killed. But the U.S. asylum program for translators seeking to leave the country has fallen far short of demand and, at times, short of what other coalition countries have offered their Iraqi staff.

Unfortunately, the State Department is not only lagging far behind its commitment to resettle 12,000 Iraqi refugees, it is now trying to confuse that commitment with a separate requirement by Congress to resettle 5,000 especially vulnerable Iraqis through SIVs. The total target that the State Dept. ought to reaffirm is 17,000 for FY 2008, which is still a tiny fraction of the 4.5 million Iraqis who have been displaced. All of that and Bush's ongoing silence about the entire refugee crisis has us very worried. We'll be listening to his State of the Union speech, scheduled for next Tuesday (Jan. 29th), with great interest.

Bush Must End Silence on Refugee Crisis

Bush has neglected visiting the Middle East, arguably the most strategically important part of the world, for seven years. But today, he is finally there, and finally encouraging efforts towards peace and prosperity in the region. Now, EPIC joins Refugees International and other organizations in calling on the President to end his silence on Iraq's refugee crisis, as well.

Over 4.5 million Iraqis have been displaced since 2003, with nearly 2.5 million Iraqi civilians fleeing to neighboring countries and over 2 million displaced internally within Iraq. Refugees are overwhelming the basic infrastructure of Iraq’s neighbors, particularly Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, raising concerns about further destabilization of the region. Iraqis have no legal work options in most host countries, and are increasingly desperate. They face challenges in obtaining food, and have trouble accessing host countries’ health and education systems. Women and children are especially vulnerable, and a sense of frustration, despair and abandonment permeates communities of displaced Iraqis throughout the region.

At a time when Bush has expressed optimism about the prospect of regional dialogue, his administration must also engage proactively on Iraqi displacement and its impacts. The President's Middle East visit includes meetings with Arab leaders about developments in Iraq, as well as regional security and relations between the United States and these close allies. It is imperative that Bush use this visit to establish a robust international response to the humanitarian needs of displaced Iraqis.

President Bush must encourage the international community to contribute desperately needed financial and political support to the host countries to ensure that basic services are available for Iraqi refugees. The U.S. must also do more for refugees, directly. The current resettlement goal of 12,000 is too low. In order to begin living up to our responsibilities, we must commit to resettling at least 96,000 Iraqi refugees in the United States for FY 2008.

Unfortunately, the administration is failing to even meet its current goal. According to the Associated Press, “The steady decline — from 450 in October to 362 in November and 245 in December — means the administration will have to allow in 10,943 Iraqis over the next nine months, or roughly 1,215 per month, to meet the target it has set for itself.” Meanwhile, the administration is also failing to martial sufficient funding and resources to assist Iraq, Jordan, and other countries struggling to meet the needs of 4.5 million displaced Iraqis.

As long as Bush remains silent about the crisis, his administration and the international community will continue to lack the resolve to respond to its urgency and magnitude. The value of a Presidential commitment to resolving this crisis cannot be overstated.

Headlines 1/8/08

To kick off the new year, we at EPIC are planning to rejuvinate the Ground Truth blog, bringing you more news and insights about the current realities in Iraq.

With the news media continuing to feature only stories of gore and body counts, and political candidates only concerned with a falacious, black-and-white question of "to withdraw or not to withdraw", the need for honest reporting on Iraq is as great as ever. Meanwhile, conditions for the growing numbers of Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons are ever more dire.

EPIC's blogging goal: to shine a spotlight on peacebuilding efforts in Iraq, so we can figure out what works and increase support for those policies and projects. And to raise awareness about the plight of those displaced by violence in Iraq, and tell you what you can do to help.

You can start off by supporting EPIC's efforts with a donation, here. Or email us for information on how you can become a guest blogger or contributor, and help keep us up-to-date on all the latest and most important stories.

Just to get things rolling, here are some of today's headlines regarding peacebuilding and the refugee crisis.

New Leaders Of Sunnis Make Gains In Influence
by Sudarsan Raghavan
The Washington Post

U.N. Refugee Agency Seeks $261 Million
By Eliane Engeler
Associated Press

U.N. says to help Iraqis choosing to return home
by Laura MacInnis
Reuters

Surgery and Recovery, Then Back to Iraq
a slideshow look at the work of Doctors Without Borders, treating badly wounded Iraqi civilians.
The New York Times

Around Baghdad, Signs of Normal Life Creep Back
a slideshow look at how residents across the Baghdad are taking steps to return to normalcy as security improves.
The New York Times

Check back here regularly for more updates!

EPIC's Year-End Appeal

Dear Friends,

This holiday season please consider making a year-end, tax-deductible contribution to the Education for Peace in Iraq Center. Give the gift of peace and humanitarian relief for the people of Iraq.

Armed conflict in Iraq has created one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes of our time. More Iraqis have fled their homes than any other population in the world.

One year ago this month, when the U.S. administration and Congress failed to act, EPIC was there to sound the alarm.

Today, we are urging President Bush to end his silence about the mass displacement of 4.5 million Iraqis. We are working to expand U.S. admissions of especially vulnerable refugees and generate emergency humanitarian assistance for Iraqis harmed by violence in Iraq. And we are getting results.

To strengthen our impact in the New Year, please make a year-end gift to the Education for Peace in Iraq Center today.

Consider what EPIC supporters like you helped make possible in 2007. Together we generated more than 3,000 constituent letters in support of critical legislation, including the Refugee Crisis in Iraq Act, introduced by Senators Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Gordon Smith (R-OR). We contacted key offices, and pressed our case month after month.

In recognition of the cumulative impact of all of these efforts, I am very pleased to make a special announcement. Last week, we won final passage of the Refugee Crisis in Iraq Act! Within days, the President is expected to sign this important legislation into law.

This is a shared victory for all of us. The Refugee Crisis in Iraq Act requires the Bush administration to expand U.S. admissions of especially vulnerable Iraqi refugees and provide a comprehensive plan for assisting countries hosting large numbers of Iraqi refugees.

Without your continuing support, hard fought steps like the Refugee Crisis in Iraq Act would not be possible. Please make a year-end gift to the Education for Peace in Iraq Center today.

This month we also made further progress in generating desperately needed funding for Iraqi refugees and other noncombatants harmed by the war. Late Wednesday night, Congress passed an omnibus spending package for FY 2008 that includes:

• $110 million in emergency assistance to “support the growing humanitarian needs of persons affected by violence in Iraq,”


• $200 million in emergency assistance to “address the pressing needs of Iraqi refugees and of Palestinian refugees,” and


• $5 million for the Marla Ruzicka Iraqi War Victims Fund.

As part of their conference report, House and Senate appropriators stated: “The Appropriations Committees remain deeply concerned with the plight of Iraqi refugees and IDPs.” Furthermore, they expect additional assistance to be made available in 2008.

With your help and the help of coalition partners in Washington, Congress has done something that President Bush has yet to do, acknowledge the plight of more than 4.5 million displaced Iraqis.

This and the Refugee Crisis in Iraq Act represent hard-earned steps in the right direction -- steps made possible by supporters like you.

To strengthen our impact in the New Year, please make a year-end gift to the Education for Peace in Iraq Center today.

If you prefer to donate by mail, please send your tax-deductible gift today to:

Education for Peace in Iraq Center (EPIC)
1101 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Suite No. 203
Washington, DC 20003

Thank you for your generous support. Together, you and I can translate the peace of the season into action for the New Year.

With deep appreciation,

Erik Gustafson
Executive Director
Education for Peace in Iraq Center

P.S. This year, you can check off your last minute holiday shopping and support peace in Iraq at the same time. When you click through the EPIC FreePledge portal to do your online shopping, a percentage of every purchase you make goes directly to support EPIC.

Evidence Mounts Against Blackwater in Nisour Square Shootings

The Blackwater shootings in Nisour Square highlight at least two problems that Americans must grapple with. First, some American security contractors in Iraq appear to lack the sound judgment and restraint required to carry out their mission (see the Blackwater shootings, the DynCorp Int'l shootings and the Unity Resources Group shootings). Second, these contractors have operated for years without sufficient scrutiny or legal consequences to their actions.

The Blackwater security contractors involved in the incident have claimed they retaliated after being fired upon, which resulted in the deaths of 17 Iraqis. The evidence against Blackwater has slowly mounted since this initial claim. In a recent NPR report, Philadelphia attorney Susan Burke said, "We have not found anyone, anyone at all, who has come forward to say there were any shots fired or any kind of threat made upon these Blackwater shooters". In addition, Iraqi civilians have filed civil lawsuits accusing Blackwater guards of disobeying orders by going to Nisour Square instead of staying with the State Department official they were supposed to be guarding, and accusing them of taking steroids.

Equally disturbing is the fact that no law has been found--U.S., military or Iraqi--that holds these contractors accountable for their actions. The following is from a November 28 NPR report:

"The more immediate challenge for Justice Department officials and prosecutors has been to find an American law that applies to the parameters of this incident.

Bob Chadwell, a former assistant U.S. attorney in Seattle, says prosecuting the Blackwater guards isn't a slam dunk.

'They are going to have to shoehorn the facts into a statute that wasn't designed to address that concern, and that is a problem," he said, referring to Justice Department lawyers. "If the law isn't meant to address something, it is sometimes like trying to pound a square peg into a round hole. Sometimes it just can't be done.'

...A federal grand jury is hearing from witnesses this week, and the Justice Department has said it could be months before it seeks an actual indictment.

Any and all Americans abroad represent their country at all times, whether a diplomat, a businessman or woman, a backpacker or a security contractor. We must determine whether or not the actions of American security guards in Iraq have been excessive or irresponsible, and there must be legal recourse to address those actions. Doing so will show Iraq and the rest of the world that the U.S. is strongly dedicated to the legal system and that no one is above the law.

Photo: Nisour Sqaure; Khalid Mohammed for the New York Times

Are Conditions Safe Enough for Iraqi Refugees to Return Home?

Some Iraqi refugees are returning to their homes in Iraq, according to Iraqi government officials and the UNHCR. Iraqi officials are quick to cite improved security as the reason that refugees are returning. Damien Cave of the New York Times reports:

"On Nov. 7, Brig. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi, the Iraqi spokesman for the American-Iraqi effort to pacify Baghdad, said that 46,030 people returned to Iraq from abroad in October because of the 'improving security situation.'"

However, the UNHCR reports other factors as playing a much more significant role in determining whether refugees return. On November 23 at a Geneva press conference, Jennifer Pagoni said:

"According to a survey done by our staff in Syria, there are many reasons for returns to Iraq other than considerations of improved security. Of some 110 Iraqi families UNHCR spoke with in Syria the majority said they are returning because they are running out of money and/or resources, face difficult living conditions, or because their visas have expired."

The primary concern here is the safety of Iraqis. Refugees should not have to return to a conflict zone under any circumstances, whether forced by host communities or governments (refoulement) or, in this case, because of a lack of resources, jobs and services available to them.

"We welcome improvements to the security conditions and stand ready to assist people who have decided or will decide to return voluntarily. However, UNHCR does not believe that the time has come to promote, organize or encourage returns. That would be possible only when proper return conditions are in place – including material and legal support and physical safety."

Photo Caption: Iraqi refugees in the Damascus district of Sayyida Zainab, a hub for Iraq refugees; J. Wreford for the UNHCR

Is the Surge Working?

In the media, that question is being asked a lot these days, and for those of you planning to break bread with extended family this week, it will likely be among the topics of conversation.

So how can I resist but to throw in my two cents. Consider this post a Ground Truth Guide to one of the most political questions of our day.

First, let's recognize the question for what it is: a partisan test of loyalties. Answer "no" and you must be marching with those antiwar Democrats. Answer "yes" and you're a "pro-war Bush supporter."

Second, the question invites the answerer to snub either (1) the courageous efforts of 175,000 U.S. servicemen and women who are risking their lives in Iraq right now, while we're all enjoying our Tofurkies, OR (2) the legitimate concerns of millions of Americans, Iraqis, and people around the globe -- civilian and military -- who recognize the limits of what a foreign military can achieve in Iraq.

Third, it's the wrong question asked by the wrong people at the wrong time. For starters, it frames Iraq as an all-American domestic political problem with only one possible solution. The Problem: What to do about this thing called I-rak? Solution: send more of our G.I.s! Problem: Darfur? Solution: Send in our boys. Problem: global warming? Solution: da boyz!

Are you seeing the problem? Ending conflict and suffering in Iraq presents a military, diplomatic, humanitarian, economic, and -- most importantly -- peacebuilding challenge. Is the surge working? That question is not about addressing the world's largest population movement and humanitarian crisis today. The UNHCR estimates 4.5 million people have been displaced. Nor is it about the country's 30-50% unemployment rate, which most experts point to as a major contributing factor of Iraq's instability. Reducing all of America's policy options to an either-or question that suggests only military solutions (surge vs. withdrawal) is just plain silly talk. Most Americans are already wising up to that, but it seems our politicians are a little slower.

Now that we have liberated ourselves from that ridiculous question and the obsession of small-minded media outlets to put all of us into neat little ticky tack boxes, it's time to consider what's really happening on-the-ground in Iraq.

Without question, there has been a remarkable improvement in security. Here's an excerpt from today's report by New York Times Baghdad correspondents Damien Cave and Alissa Rubin:

The security improvements in most neighborhoods are real. Days now pass without a car bomb, after a high of 44 in the city in February. The number of bodies appearing on Baghdad’s streets has plummeted to about 5 a day, from as many as 35 eight months ago, and suicide bombings across Iraq fell to 16 in October, half the number of last summer and down sharply from a recent peak of 59 in March, the American military says.

As a result, for the first time in nearly two years, people are moving with freedom around much of this city. In more than 50 interviews across Baghdad, it became clear that while there were still no-go zones, more Iraqis now drive between Sunni and Shiite areas for work, shopping or school, a few even after dark. In the most stable neighborhoods of Baghdad, some secular women are also dressing as they wish. Wedding bands are playing in public again, and at a handful of once shuttered liquor stores customers now line up outside in a collective rebuke to religious vigilantes from the Shiite Mahdi Army. [more]

And on NPR's Morning Edition, Jamie Tarabay reports: "Nine months after the start of the U.S. troop surge in Baghdad, signs of life are slowly returning to some neighborhoods of the Iraqi capital. In the Sunni enclave of Amriya on the west side of the city, shops are reopening, and the economy is picking up."

Iraqi bloggers, military bloggers, and a U.S. Army surgeon in West Baghdad who I've been talking with by phone confirm these recently reported trends.

But don't blame it all on the surge. There are other important factors contributing to these recent improvements. For example, there's the popular backlash against the terror campaign of al-Qaeda (ALQ) and other extremists and the formation of anti-ALQ coalitions among tribal leaders. Those trends began in 2006 and gathered momentum in early 2007. Here's what I wrote about the trend last May:

The tribal leaders formed the Anbar Salvation Council in fall 2006 to fight al-Qa'ida. Also called the Anbar Awakening, the coalition began with dozens of tribes and now boasts more than 40 tribes or sub-tribes from Anbar. The Sunni Arab leader of the movement, Sheik Abdul Sattar al-Rishawi, lost his father and three brothers to al-Qaida assassins. AP quotes al-Rishawi as saying insurgents were "killing innocent people, anyone suspected of opposing them. They brought us nothing but destruction and we finally said, enough is enough."

Early this year, as the council gained new tribal members and strength, cooperation with U.S. forces began to improve especially in and around Ramadi, Anbar's provincial council. Last month I talked with a Marine fellow in Senator Reed's office who served in Ramadi two years ago. He stays in touch with fellow Marines, including men serving there right now who confirm a remarkable turnaround in Ramadi.

Other related trends include: the organizing of neighborhood militias, the spread of local cease-fires, the growing capabilities of some of Iraq's security forces and commanders, and the shift to a counterinsurgency strategy that emphasizes protecting and securing the local population. In addition, Gen. Petreaus and other commanders have focused on building alliances at the local level with anyone who can help restore order.

The real question is less about whether or not we're seeing improvements in security. We are, and that's good news. But can these recent improvements be sustained? And will the downward trend in violence continue? After all, Iraq's rate of conflict-related deaths remains among the highest in the world.

Our friend Abu Aardvark and other experts are not so sure. They caution that, despite recent improvements in security, current military tactics carry the risk of moving Iraq "towards a warlord state, along a Basra model, with power devolved to local militias, gangs, tribes, and power-brokers, with a purely nominal central state."

Abu Aardvark's caution, if not pessimism, got strong military back-up in last Thursday's Washington Post. In his front page article "Iraqis Wasting an Opportunity, U.S. Officers Say", Tom Ricks writes:

Senior military commanders here now portray the intransigence of Iraq's Shiite-dominated government as the key threat facing the U.S. effort in Iraq, rather than al-Qaeda terrorists, Sunni insurgents or Iranian-backed militias.

In more than a dozen interviews, U.S. military officials expressed growing concern over the Iraqi government's failure to capitalize on sharp declines in attacks against U.S. troops and Iraqi civilians. A window of opportunity has opened for the government to reach out to its former foes, said Army Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, the commander of day-to-day U.S. military operations in Iraq, but "it's unclear how long that window is going to be open."

...all the U.S. military officials interviewed said their most pressing concern is that Sunnis will sour if the Iraqi government doesn't begin to reciprocate their peace overtures. "The Sunnis have shown great patience," said Campbell. "You don't want the Sunnis that are working with you . . . to go back to the dark side."

The Army officer who requested anonymity said that if the Iraqi government doesn't reach out, then for former Sunni insurgents "it's game on -- they're back to attacking again."

The year-long progress in fighting al-Qaeda in Iraq could carry a downside. Maj. Mark Brady, who works on reconciliation issues, noted that a Sunni leader told him: "As soon as we finish with al-Qaeda, we start with the Shiite extremists." Talk like that is sharply discouraged, Brady noted as he walked across the dusty ground of Camp Liberty, on the western fringes of Baghdad. [more]

In short, despite improvements in security, the challenge of building an enduring peace remains.

So that's the Ground Truth Guide to the BIG political question of this year's Thanksgiving. I'll leave it to our readers and future blogs to generate some more intelligent questions that the media ought to be asking and elected officials and candidates ought to be answering.

Photo caption: Women walk through Baghdad's Zawra Park. Joao Silva for The New York Times.

Blogger alert: Abu Aardvark recently hosted an interesting mano y mano debate between Georgetown scholar Colin Kahl and Center for American Progress policy analyst Brian Katulis.

Solid Figures on Jordan

Earlier this year, Jordan commissioned the Fafo Institute to help determine the population of Iraqi refugees in the Hashemite kingdom. Rumors hit Washington this summer that the numbers they were coming up with were far lower than those Jordan had long quoted. Now the report is finally out and the numbers are indeed lower, but not drastically so.

Fafo and the Jordan Ministry of Statistics say there were "between 450,000-500,000 Iraqi residents in Jordan as of May 2007", whereas Jordan had previously maintained that there were about 750,000 Iraqis.

Whether the number is 450,000 or 750,000, it's staggering. With Jordan's estimated population of just under 6 million, it means that either 1 in 9 people in Jordan is a refugee from Iraq or 1 in 14. Either way, it represents a huge burden on Jordan's infrastructure and economy. Imagine comparable numbers here in the U.S. of between 23 to 38 million refugees!

In short, Jordan needs the help of the international community to meet the needs of so many refugees. Food and water security, job opportunities, and access to health care are severely lacking and must be addressed now. Women, children and the elderly are particularly at risk because in many cases their fathers and brothers were killed in Iraq, forcing their families to flee in the first place. Women and young girls are often forced into survival sex and prostitution to support their families. See a new report from the Women's Commission on the state of health care for Iraqi women in Jordan here.

Progress on the Syrian Front

The New York Times recently reported that Syria will allow U.S. officials from the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to visit Damascus in order to screen and process Iraqis who have taken refuge in the Syrian capital.

Prior to the visit to Syria that brought on this new agreement, only the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees was allowed into Syria to process Iraqi refugees. UNHCR could then refer refugees to the U.S. for resettling, but many of these refugees were unable to reach State Department or DHS offices outside of Syria due to a severe lack of funds.

“This is obviously very good news,” said Jacob Kurtzer, a Congressional advocate for Refugees International. “We’re very happy, but it really does draw attention to the need for a continuous high-level diplomatic presence in Syria and the rest of the region.”

I agree wholeheartedly with Jacob here. Lori Scialabba, who was appointed Associate Director of Refugee, Asylum and International Operations for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services just over a year ago, and James Foley, a career diplomat, deserve praise for speaking directly with Syria. We should also praise Syria, the UNHCR and UNICEF for accommodating 100,000 Iraqi schoolchildren in Syrian schools, a three-fold increase from last year's 33,000.

These developments are small victories for all of us, most importantly for the refugees themselves. But we need to keep an eye on the numbers and stay on top of the administration on this issue. There are 150,000 Iraqi schoolchildren in Syria who still need the education every child deserves. And bear in mind that in October, the first month of fiscal year 2008, the U.S. resettled just over 450 Iraqi refugees out of an expected 12,000 for the fiscal year. Already we're behind on our projections, but continuous pressure on Congress and the administration will get us the results we want.

Caption: Iraqi school children in a cramped basement in the Damascus district of Sayyida Zainab, a hub for Iraq refugees; M. Bernard for the UNHCR

Honoring Our Veterans

In recognition of our veterans, the Washington Post ran an opinion piece by William Quinn, a U.S. Army veteran who served in Iraq from 2005 to 2006. Quinn writes about his return to civilian life after the intensity of serving in a war zone.

The only feeling I've ever had that was more surreal than arriving in a war zone was returning from one.

I came home on R&R in 2005 after eight months in Iraq. Heading for the baggage claim in Detroit, I watched travelers walking and talking on their cellphones, chatting with friends and acting just the way people had before I'd left for Baghdad. The war didn't just seem to be taking place in another country; it seemed to be taking place in another universe. There I was, in desert camouflage, wondering how all the intensity, the violence, the tears and the killing of Iraq could really be happening at the same time that all these people were hurrying to catch their flights to Las Vegas or Los Angeles or wherever.

Now as a student majoring in international politics and security studies at Georgetown, Quinn feels the same disconnect with the war among his peers on campus.

I find it frustrating that Facebook is a bigger part of most students' lives than the war. After my first semester, I decided to rejoin the Army by signing up with the ROTC. I felt a bit guilty for having done only one tour in Iraq while friends of mine have done two or three. And I didn't want to forget the war. I may be prejudiced, but many of my college peers seem self-absorbed. I didn't want to end up like that.

...Nonetheless, the Army's values are important to soldiers. They may not always live up to them, but they do when it matters most. Soldiers are selfless; they are courageous; they are loyal. The most interesting intellectual conversations I've had have been with others in the military. They discuss things not to impress you but because they're trying to figure them out. They're faced with difficult situations, and they want to make sense of them. Though many privately question our government's policies, they do their duty, which lies beyond the political debate.

This culture of duty is at odds with the culture of individualism and self-promotion that seems paramount here in college.

As one of those students, I have to admit that at first I felt a little defensive about William's op-ed. But as these thoughts sank in I began to accept them as accurate. Indeed, the college life is a far cry from military service, and our responsibilities are different. College is a duty to one's self, whereas the military is a duty to one's country. Serving in this country's armed forces requires a selflessness that others probably don't understand. Today, we honor their courage and their call to duty.

Safe, But Feeling Isolated

In a recent entry, "Success Stories and the Road Ahead", I commended Congress for beginning to address the Iraqi refugee crisis. I also argued, because many Iraqi refugees are terribly short on money and often must spend their life savings just to make it to the United States, that the U.S. must go a step further by accomodating such refugees when they do finally arrive.

When an individual is resettled in the United States via standard protocol, they are given refugee status. They are put in contact with a social service agency that provides them with food stamps and three months’ rent. Alternately, when someone enters the U.S. with a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV), they are not afforded refugee status and therefore do not receive what few benefits a social service agency provides.

In fiscal year 07, 820 Iraqis entered the United States with SIV’s. That means over half of the 1,608 Iraqis who came into the U.S. last year are not receiving the benefits afforded with refugee status.

The Washington Post ran an article today on the discomfort, isolation and utter lack of resources Iraqis face when they arrive in the States. Most of the refugees interviewed were resettled via standard procedures. But three months' rent does little in the way of financial help and does nothing in the way of adjusting Iraqis to American culture.

Hakee Ismael was helping U.S. troops in Baghdad when they were ambushed. The attack left him blind. He came to the States with his wife, Zainab, and their three-year-old son, Sodiq. Nadhum Ali al-Hasnawi was a Shiite upholsterer in the predominantly Sunni city of Taji, north of Baghdad. It wasn't long before a death threat came to his family's home in the form of a hail of gunfire. These Iraqis are part of a small group of 38 who were resettled in the Tucson area. They have each other for company and support, but little else.

Iraqis are often left traumatized by their conflict at home, and here in the U.S. they feel disoriented and alone. According to the Washington Post, the social service agencies designated to help refugees are often unable to do so. The U.S. must act responsibly by taking care of the most vulnerable Iraqis not only by resettling them in the United States, but also by appropriating funds to help them through the adjustment period. Sen. Cardin (D-MD) has introduced legislation (currently a provision in the Labor-HHS appropriations bill) that would provide Iraqis who come to the U.S. with SIV's the same benefits that come with refugee status. It's a start, and we must see it through.

At this point, the U.S. is doing only what I've described above, but there are some Americans who are stepping up where the administration is falling short. I've previously written about American servicemen and women helping Iraqis who helped us. Erin Simpson and Christy Voelkel are two Tucson residents who organized a community collection effort to help locally resettled Iraqis. They have raised money with their community and have personally delivered kitchen equipment, clothes, pillows and children's toys to Iraqis.

We can show our true colors as Americans by stepping up and taking the initiative to help our Iraqi friends. EPIC is in the process of compiling a list of resettlement agencies across the country so that you may get involved. If you live in the Arizona region and want to help right now, you can contact Erin Simpson.

Caption: Fawzi al-Khazraji, 42, in his new Tucson home; David Sanders for the Washington Post 11/2007

Seeing Through Blackwater's PR Strategy

As long as we allow private military contractors in Iraq to commit human rights violations with impunity, we are complicit in the reckless endangerment and deaths of innocent civilians. All contractors must be held accountable under law, and every innocent life – American and Iraqi – must be equally protected.

Today’s New York Times editorial Legal Loopholes in Iraq concurs:

It is folly to outsource the tasks of combat to private contractors with no commitment to the nation’s broader goals in Iraq, undermining the already hard job of gaining Iraqis’ trust... That folly was compounded by the decision to allow gun-toting mercenaries to run around Iraq without any clear legal tether holding them accountable to Iraqi law, American criminal law or military law. The killings in Baghdad last September were not the first crimes involving private contractors working for the American government. Still, four years after the start of the war, not one contractor has been prosecuted for crimes committed against an Iraqi. That is no way for a nation to behave if it prides itself on following the rule of law.

Last month, the U.S. House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight held a hearing on the Blackwater killings. In opening statement, Chairman Henry Waxman offered the following interesting stats: According to Blackwater’s own incident reports, the security firm has been involved in at least 195 ‘escalation of force’ incidents in Iraq since 2005. In 80% of those cases, the company reports that its people fired first. Furthermore, the company acknowledges that (prior to the Sept. 16th incident) it was involved in 16 Iraqi civilian casualties and 162 incidents with property damage, primarily to Iraqi civilian vehicles.

So how did the chief witness at the hearing, Blackwater CEO Erik Prince respond? He simply downplayed the deaths of innocent civilians as “traffic accidents” while emphasizing Blackwater’s record in providing protective services for U.S. diplomats. Sadly, a few lawmakers appeared to know of Blackwater’s public relations strategy in advance, and eagerly played along. Here’s an example, courtesy of Dana Milbank’s play-by-play commentary on the hearing for the Washington Post:

"How many individuals under your protective service have been injured or killed?" asked Patrick McHenry (N.C.).

PRINCE: Zero.

McHENRY: Zero?

PRINCE: Zero, sir.

McHENRY: Zero individuals that Blackwater's protected have been killed in a Blackwater transport?

PRINCE: That's correct.

McHENRY: Zero?

PRINCE: Zero.

Yet by far, the biggest disappointment was to see 60 Minutes help Blackwater get its message points out there unchallenged. Fortunately, most lawmakers and Americans aren’t buying it. The more Blackwater CEO Erik Prince and his defenders insist that the only thing that matters is the safe escort of Americans in Iraq, regardless of how many innocent bystanders are killed along the way, the more Americans see the dangers of allowing such contractors to run amuck in Iraq.

Every time Blackwater fails to safeguard Iraqi civilians in the conduct of their “protective services,” they foster an environment that prolongs the war and further endangers Americans. Recognizing this, the U.S. House passed a bill (389 to 30) to make all private security contractors in Iraq and other combat zones subject to prosecution by U.S. courts. Now it is time for the Senate to follow suit.