Pulling Back the Veil on Iraq

October 19, 2006

Michael Smerconish

I WROTE AND FILED this column last week because I'm traveling now and will have no computer access. As a matter of fact, I have no idea where I'll be when you read this.

I might be in Kazakhstan. Or Uzbekistan. Maybe Pakistan. Or Ethiopia. Perhaps even Iraq or Afghanistan. Think "Where in the world is Matt Lauer?" - with less glamorous destinations. That's because I'm a military tourist of sorts at the behest of the Pentagon.

It's no junket. I'm paying my own way, traveling with 50 Americans as part of the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference, a military immersion project sponsored by the secretary of defense.

I'm told it's the oldest civilian outreach program run by our military, and the only one sponsored by the secretary. The goal is to foster civilian understanding of national-defense issues by involving community leaders. Having seen the bios of my fellow travelers, it appears they are mostly business types.

This is not a media activity. More than a year ago, when the USS Cole docked in Philadelphia, I met its commander, Capt. Brian Solo, a Philadelphia native. He nominated me for the trip.

It should be an eye-opener, and I'll have a full report next week.

Before I left, there were very few details forthcoming from the Pentagon. Instead, I was told that our itinerary would be supplied when we arrived in Washington, along with combat boots and gear for inclement weather.

All I was told is that "seven days will be spent visiting military installations throughout the CENTCOM area of operations" where I'd learn about "the U.S. military's capabilities, missions and role in the Middle East through briefings, tours, hands-on demonstrations and personal interaction with out nation's military men and women."

The CENTCOM area of operations is where we are fighting two wars. It encompasses 27 countries from northeast Africa to Southwest and Central Asia, home to 651 million people, many not too happy with the United States.

The trip comes at a time when I have begun drifting in an isolationist direction. Iraq. Afghanistan. Iran. North Korea. Kosovo. Somalia. Darfur. The world appears headed to hell in a hand-basket. Is it time to scale back our military obligations, build a missile defense shield, construct the Mexican fence, and spread the U.S. Navy along our eastern and western seaboards?

Why do we need such a significant military presence overseas? Why are so many of our troops in harm's way? And how can we sustain the cost as we are spread so thin?

Here's hoping I come home with some perspective on these issues.

I've been immunized for yellow fever, hepatitis, polio and typhoid. Then I was ready to start my anti-malaria regimen. When I complained to my wife about the 16-hour flight in a non-commercial C-17 to start the trip, she correctly put my pampered butt in check when she replied, "At least you know to a high degree of certainty that you are coming back," not something that other Americans making the trip to this part of the world can say.

Sadly true.

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Michael Smerconish can be heard weekdays 5:30-9 a.m. on the Big Talker, 1210/AM. Contact him via the Web at www.mastalk.com.