Keep Up the Good Work

Today Iraqis went to the polls to vote yay or nay on their new constitution. The referendum is expected to result in ratification.

Just over two and half years ago, Saddam Hussein still ruled Iraq and was preparing for war. That is quite a time table. Just four years ago, we were attacked on our own soil by Al Qaeda. Now the world boasts two new democracies as a direct result of U.S. military action: Afghanistan and Iraq. Welcome!

If you had asked me when I took the photo below, whether I thought either of these two countries would be liberated and this close to fully functioning democracies just over four years from that date, I would have said heck no. But both countries are now closer than ever to fielding sustainable democracies. Incredible. To all of those involved in incubating these newborn democracies, keep up the good work.

City Hall in Mourning, Baltimore, Maryland. September 15, 2001.