American war on Iraq is in its fifth year; still the Iraqi people are yet to be relieved of violence. Death has become a part and parcel of their lives. There isn’t one family in Iraq which hasn’t lost a loved one or hasn’t been crippled by the attacks of hatred. If it was Saddam’s tyranny that pained those five years back, it is the fresh wounds by the American forces and jihads that are hurting them now. This time it’s more painful than ever. Because today there is no Saddam to blame.

So much for democracy in Iraq! Remember the rhetoric that Bush adopted five years back – freedom for Iraqis, democracy for Iraq! After so many years of bloodshed that saw loss of millions of lives, where does the ideology stand in the war-torn country? We can find it only at one place – White house. Yes, in a country that is ruined by the oppressive rule of Saddam, in a country that is ripe with tribal strife, in a country that hasn’t seen a single peaceful day, dreaming of democracy is nothing but building castles in the air. Critics had warned Bush then. They have the last laugh today. Five years thence, after a war that was supposed to bring smiles on the faces of Iraqis, why is it that we see the same tears and despair?

The answer to this seemingly simple question is actually very simple. There are many reasons that make it virtually impossible for democracy to take seat in the country. The first and foremost reason being the imposition of democracy on a country torn by war. History is evident to this fact that either democracy has flourished instantly like in countries like India or has failed miserably like the tragedy in Vietnam. It is a concept that has to rise from within the country and not from outside forces. American way of introducing democracy, especially with its blotted background as an aggressor in the Arab world, was definitely not the right way. Democracy is in itself a powerful idea that needs the unity among people unprecedented in history. Conditions in Iraq were and are no where near it.

Another reason is America’s obsession with democracy. To say that Iraq should also have a democracy enjoyed by Americans is nothing but being stubborn. There were other alternatives that would have led to stability in Iraq. True, there are multiple forces that disrupt lives in Iraq today. We have the shia-sunni clashes, suicide bombers, and Turkish intervention. However, a self-rule immediately after the capture of Saddam would have been a blessing for Iraqis. This is because freedom from Saddam’s tyranny, the optimism, and the hopes of peace would have helped them work out their differences much better than the forced elections that Iraq had. Imposing a typical western version of freedom has only aggravated the situation in Iraq.

Last and the most important consideration are the numerous conflicts with in the country. Experts had warned that even if elections were held, the conflicts that would break out would be worse than what the world has seen. True enough! We in the past two years of “democratic” governance have seen more bloodshed and death than ever before. Not a single day passes without news of death from Iraq.

So, what is the solution? Should Iraq be left on its own to grope in the dark and find its future or should America continue its presence in Iraq’s soil and choke the freedom further? There was one statement that struck me hard. "We don't have full sovereignty," said Hadi al-Amri, the chairman of parliament's Defense and Security Committee. (Courtesy CNN). That is the root problem! America with its haunting presence on Iraqi soil does not give the Iraqi people the freedom that US boasts of. Until the American forces are there, the people will never trust their government. Millions of Iraqis had braved the bullets to vote for a government they hoped will bring stability in the country. What they found was a puppet of US. That is the angst they carry in their hearts. Let them be free to pursue their destiny. Yes, they may fight again! However, can it be worse?

America is trying to find freedom for people tied down by huge boulders of violence, and bloodshed. Let America untie those shackles and let them breathe free…for once, America will live up to its promise – it let Iraq free!