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| Howard Gordon (right) poses with a member of the U.S. military during a recent trip to Iraq. (Photo: Daniel Symonds) |
2010-08-12
In May, Palisadian Howard Gordon traveled as part of a select delegation to observe the process of political and military transition in Iraq. His assessments and perspective, to be shared tomorrow evening at 7:30 p.m. at the University Synagogue, 11960 Sunset Blvd., coincide with a pivotal moment in the war's history. Just last week, President Obama announced an end to the combat mission and a major reduction in U.S. forces by the end of August.
Gordon, a 20-year entertainment-industry veteran who was executive producer of the hit series '24,' joined a small group of U.S. business leaders handpicked by the Pacific Council on International Policy to assess firsthand the challenges and successes of the U.S. military's current and planned 'drawdown' efforts during an intensive four-day trip to Iraq. Ultimately, the delegation's mission was to share its observations with the public as a service to the U.S. Department of Defense.
'The caveat was that we were not experts; we were all very mindful of this,' Gordon said during an interview on Monday. 'We were simply guests who were willing to listen and process what we observed.'
Travel to Baghdad proved challenging. When the Iraqi government abruptly cancelled flights on Gryphon Air, a commercial contractor, the Pacific Council team was forced to travel to Bahrain, where they were able to 'hitch a flight' on a U.S. Navy C-23B Sherpa to Kuwait. From Kuwait, delegates were transferred to a C-130 to Baghdad, where they stayed at Saddam Hussein's Al Faw Palace, now the U.S. military base known as Camp Victory.
While there, delegates met with top-level U.S. and Iraqi officials, including General Raymond T. Odierno, commanding general of U.S. Forces in Iraq, and Christopher R. Hill, U.S. ambassador to Iraq.
Later, members of the group flew by Black Hawk helicopter to Karbala, Shia Islam's second-holiest city. There, they met with Amal al-Din al Hir, governor of Karbala Province, and his staff and had an opportunity to meet with Iraqi civilians, soldiers and civic leaders. The last leg of the trip back in Baghdad featured a meeting with Major General Michael Barbero, who invited members to observe Iraqi police training exercises.
'Whether or not you supported the war when it started, the fact is we're there,' says Gordon, a registered Democrat who was quick to point out the nonpartisan nature of the Pacific Council, considered the premier international-affairs organization focused on policy issues of special concern to the West Coast.
'The question now is what is our responsibility to the Iraqis and to ourselves? So many men and women have lost their lives. It's been a huge investment as a nation. What should we do to not squander this tremendous sacrifice?' Gordon asked.
These questions have become even more urgent as the American force in Iraq will be reduced to 50,000 transitional troops by month's end (as compared to 144,000 military men and women when President Obama took office). A full withdrawal is anticipated by the end of 2011.
'There's a lot of positive news coming from Iraq,' said Gordon, who feels frustrated by the lack of media coverage'positive or negative'and overall short attention span of the country in relation to the Iraq war. 'It may feel like old news, but not to the Iraqis and Americans who are still there. By and large, I was impressed by everyone I met and their degree of professionalism and commitment to the mission.'
Gordon cited as a major step toward stability the success of the Iraqis holding an election in spring 2010 (despite its protracted outcome) that didn't erupt in chaos.
'Some of our worst fears have not come to pass,' he says. 'Despite this, it's absolutely a work in progress. We won't know the result of this transition for years to come.'
Gordon hopes to stir serious discussion during his Friday night presentation, one that will also touch upon some of the lighter moments of his trip, including how he surprised General Odierno, a huge fan of '24,' with a phone call from star Kiefer Sutherland.
'It's not an easy story to tell; it's complex and complicated with no right answers,' said the longtime resident, who lives here with his wife, Cambria, and their three children.
'Assuming that a stable and democratic Iraq is in our national interest, the challenge for Council members and me is how to keep that in the minds of our citizens and the politicians they elect.'
The event, held in conjunction with University Synagogue's Friday night Shabbat service, is open to the public.
'The caveat was that we were not experts; we were all very mindful of this,' Gordon said during an interview on Monday. 'We were simply guests who were willing to listen and process what we observed.'
Travel to Baghdad proved challenging. When the Iraqi government abruptly cancelled flights on Gryphon Air, a commercial contractor, the Pacific Council team was forced to travel to Bahrain, where they were able to 'hitch a flight' on a U.S. Navy C-23B Sherpa to Kuwait. From Kuwait, delegates were transferred to a C-130 to Baghdad, where they stayed at Saddam Hussein's Al Faw Palace, now the U.S. military base known as Camp Victory.
While there, delegates met with top-level U.S. and Iraqi officials, including General Raymond T. Odierno, commanding general of U.S. Forces in Iraq, and Christopher R. Hill, U.S. ambassador to Iraq.
Later, members of the group flew by Black Hawk helicopter to Karbala, Shia Islam's second-holiest city. There, they met with Amal al-Din al Hir, governor of Karbala Province, and his staff and had an opportunity to meet with Iraqi civilians, soldiers and civic leaders. The last leg of the trip back in Baghdad featured a meeting with Major General Michael Barbero, who invited members to observe Iraqi police training exercises.
'Whether or not you supported the war when it started, the fact is we're there,' says Gordon, a registered Democrat who was quick to point out the nonpartisan nature of the Pacific Council, considered the premier international-affairs organization focused on policy issues of special concern to the West Coast.
'The question now is what is our responsibility to the Iraqis and to ourselves? So many men and women have lost their lives. It's been a huge investment as a nation. What should we do to not squander this tremendous sacrifice?' Gordon asked.
These questions have become even more urgent as the American force in Iraq will be reduced to 50,000 transitional troops by month's end (as compared to 144,000 military men and women when President Obama took office). A full withdrawal is anticipated by the end of 2011.
'There's a lot of positive news coming from Iraq,' said Gordon, who feels frustrated by the lack of media coverage'positive or negative'and overall short attention span of the country in relation to the Iraq war. 'It may feel like old news, but not to the Iraqis and Americans who are still there. By and large, I was impressed by everyone I met and their degree of professionalism and commitment to the mission.'
Gordon cited as a major step toward stability the success of the Iraqis holding an election in spring 2010 (despite its protracted outcome) that didn't erupt in chaos.
'Some of our worst fears have not come to pass,' he says. 'Despite this, it's absolutely a work in progress. We won't know the result of this transition for years to come.'
Gordon hopes to stir serious discussion during his Friday night presentation, one that will also touch upon some of the lighter moments of his trip, including how he surprised General Odierno, a huge fan of '24,' with a phone call from star Kiefer Sutherland.
'It's not an easy story to tell; it's complex and complicated with no right answers,' said the longtime resident, who lives here with his wife, Cambria, and their three children.
'Assuming that a stable and democratic Iraq is in our national interest, the challenge for Council members and me is how to keep that in the minds of our citizens and the politicians they elect.'
The event, held in conjunction with University Synagogue's Friday night Shabbat service, is open to the public.
Source: Palisadian-Post
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