A follow-up

Just as the temptation to gloat is building, Ralph Peters shows up again urging restraint:

Our successes have been remarkable. In the past six weeks, we've seen more positive movement in the region than we saw in the preceding six decades. The political landscape of the old Islamic heartlands has changed breathtakingly since our first special-operations team went to work in the wake of 9/11.

Afghanistan's finding its footing as a democracy. Iraq welcomed its first free elections with an enthusiasm and valor that should shame apathetic Western voters. Inspired, the people of Lebanon took to the streets to demand freedom from Syrian occupation. Palestinians voted, too — and their new government is resisting the terrorists who want to frustrate peace efforts.

From Iran through Saudi Arabia to Egypt, the first breezes of change are beginning to blow.
But they're not gale-force winds just yet.

We would be almost as foolish as the eternal naysayers were we to imagine that our mission is nearing completion.

Though that bit of realism has the distinct feel of a wet blanket, it is an essential message that we must heed. I argued for months and months at ESPN that each small bit of progress was important; despite the obvious setbacks that were daily tossed out as declarative signs of failure, things were building and success was possible. Events of the last week appear to bear that out, at least in part.

Iraqi elections and the speedy deterioration of things in Lebanon and Syria represent things that 4 years ago were thought impossible. Yet they are happening. The ultimate desire for a transformed Middle-East seemed a pipe-dream on 9/12/01, yet one nation is clearly transforming and at least 3 appear on the verge of potentially huge change!

Peters' wet blanket though reminds us that hope and signs plus already-accomplished does not equal ultimate success! His point is valid; if I start declaring that all is right and we're done, I'm just as foolish as the guys who asserted that 10 American GI's dead in one day meant that success was impossible.