As much as I like what I hear, a soldier's opinion has no place in this dialogue. Just as we don't need to hear from soldier's wishing to stay or go from our country, so be it with them.

Like it or not, a soldier's job is to follow orders. The leaders give those orders.

Spanish soldier comments will not change anything, and only serve to pollute the already-dirty air around the War on Terror.

That story makes Zapatero look horrible, no two ways about it.

And to respond to Scott, I understand (or am at least aware of) the idea that soldiers shouldn't criticize their superior officers, but frankly, as long as they do their jobs, I'd say they can say what they want. They are soldiers, and they have duties and responsibilities in those roles. But they're also Spaniards, and they have a duty there too, when someone damages the prestige of their nation. (Which, according to the story, is pretty much what the Iraqis think happened.)

I agree with Scott. When I was in the Navy, it was drilled into me that anything I said to the press would be when I was out of uniform and strictly as a private citizen, and that they preferred I avoid the press to begin with.

Spanish soldiers saying they want to or think they have a duty to remain in Iraq have just as much bearing as the young, undisciplined U.S. soldiers that began pissing and moaning to the press about Rummy and being extended. If I'd been there and of sufficient rank, I'd have them in dress uniform at attention in front of their Commanding Officer so fast they wouldn't know what had happened.

Still, as far as the Spanish soldiers, with nearly 90% of the Spanish populace against the Iraq war, one wonders if they'll be spit on on their return and called, "Baby killers."

They should defect to Canada.

Let me suggest you to familiarize your self with the history of the Middle East, and not to believe in what you see and hear on American and British media.

I am in no position to talk on behalf of all the Middle East but certainly I can talk about my country, Iran. You said Middle East was always the center of chaos and disorders! Well you are right, but remember the chaos what first brought to Iran by British. Read Persian history, you will see that they cut off Afghanistan from Iran, created political turmoil in the country, and since the beginning of British influence in the world till its eventual fall before WW2, it was Britain taking advantage of other nations, namely Middle Easter countries. Now is so Ironic that this Evil union of America and Britain want to bring order to our region, don’t you think so.

Note: Even on the religious point of view this was England that created the Shiit religion, clergy systems, solely to divide the Islamic world.

Amir, you're calling me ignorant of history but your blog has you saying that 'Hitler seems innocent in comparison' to Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld. So, if we're talking about your history, I'm ok with not knowing it.

Furthermore, why clump the entire western world together? You have problems with Britain, take it up with them. What does America have to do with it?

And as for 'your region', don't you live in the US? Awfully convenient to not actually have to live in the paradise that is the Middle East.

Wow, we got off topic. But I agree with Karol. Take it up with England. As a matter of fact, I think this is a problem with the whole Middle East. By lumping yourselves together under the umbrella of Islam, you seal your own collective fate. For once I'd like to see an Arab country break free and declare its independence. Don't deny it. Oh, maybe all the countries harken back to a time you were unified? Understandable. But hey, ces la vie. When you were unified, a la Ottoman Empire, you lost the war. And I think that is a pretty good moment in history.

Bottom line, while we're in charge, you're not going to be unified under dictators and despots. Look at Europe. We still resist their unification, but being that they are Democracies, we tolerate this. It becomes competition rather than war.

If Iran and the rest out there take the initiative and evolve into into the modern day, hey, you might just be our friends some day?

This is Spain's 'Beruit'. Just as the US is reaping the rewards of ignoring the threats from that region for far too long.

This will haunt them for some time to come.

Few things,
First of all Persians are neither Arabs not Ottoman Turks. We are Indo-European people destined to be in the Middle East. I have never wanted to wished to be unified with dirty Arab countries, in fact they hate us as much as we hate them. When I talk about union, I talk about the time when there were no Islam and Iran used to rule the whole region.
Second, please understand, that as much as today’s Iran is in need of America’s friendship, America is need of our friendship.
Don’t forget, If Iran as the most strategic country in the region allies her self with you, all the American problems would be solved in no time. But America chooses Israel over Iran. Well this is your choice. So we turned to others, Europe and mainly to Russian and Chinese.
Iran has the second largest natural gas reserved plus over 100 billion proven barrels of petroleum, so in the world that energy is the life lines of nations, Iran has the upper hand.
Now is time to answer Karol. Why I am here! As a Jewish – Muslim Iranian, or whatever you want to call me, I did not escape nor afraid to live in Iran, I came here to study, because your education systems are excellent in the world (fact); when I finish my school I would promise you, I would be in a plane heading back home in no time. Maybe our region or my country is not as advanced and nice as yours, but is the only place that I am welcomed, even though I am a Jew!
Thanks

Amir, I read in one of your comments somewhere that you wrote you have Jewish relatives but are not yourself a Jew. Which is it?

As for America 'choosing' Israel over Iran, didn't your mom ever teach you you can have more than one friend. We both know what really happened: if America is allied with Israel, the Muslim countries think they are doing the Palestinians some kind of service by keeping their distance. So, Iran allied with the Soviet Union? In retrospect, was that a smart move?

As for you going back to Iran, don't forget to leave your opinions at the door. We wouldn't want you to end up in jail or killed for saying the wrong thing.

Karol

My Mother is a Jew and my father is a Muslim, so I am both and I am neither; hope now is clear.

Thanks for the suggestion, at least you don't want me to get killed. But I love to say the truth even if truth kills me.