November 01, 2007 ... They ordered them to go to Baghdad, but they said: No---No---No.

Harry Thomas, director general of the Foreign Service, told reporters in a conference call: “Starting Nov. 12, our assignments panel will assign people to Iraq. Under our system, we have all taken an oath to serve our country, we have all signed up for worldwide availability. If someone decides they do not want to go, we will then consider appropriate action. We have many options, including dismissal from the Foreign Service. Only those with compelling reasons, such as a medical condition or extreme personal hardship, will be exempt from disciplinary action, The process of deciding who will go to Iraq should be complete by Thanksgiving.”

Dr Condolezza Rice concurs, but is facing stiff opposition from the diplomats to be posted.

One needs no more compelling reason to refuse a forced diplomatic posting to Baghdad or the Iraqi provinces, which is barely distinguishable from being drafted, than one would prefer to remain safe and alive and not become prime YouTube material by way of being killed, one’s body mutilated, burned and hung from a bridge, or begging and spouting inane Islamic propaganda, live on camera, prior to being beheaded.

For the US administration to now demand that young diplomatic staff must serve at least one year in Iraq is a desperate turn of events. Much more so, given that the determinedly sectarian Iraqi government is determined to ban effective security, such as Blackwater, whose operatives demand and get the proper market rate for their services, and put the value of their own lives including those they are contracted to protect above the lives of the enemy.

The US administration is determined to pursue a different track. It deems that American and allies’ lives must be sacrificed so that freedom and democracy are delivered to consenting Iraqis, on Iraqi terms.

Instead of determinedly imperilling the lives and freedoms of young diplomats, the US must now prosecute a proper war against an Iraq designated as a failed and enemy state. There are no hearts and minds in Iraq to win. Close to two-million of those that needed no winning were failed in favor of the enemy, and now reside in Syria as impoverished refugees including doctors, scientists, engineers, etc.

Contemporary peace-logic is predicated on the premise that peace is best achieved when the thugs and killers have been placated. It didn't’t work in World War 2, and it won’t work for Iraq.