It is certain that Bush administration will soon ‘redeploy’ thousands of US troops in Iraq who is desperate to paint the Iraq disaster in a glorious hue. The plan in place for security after Baghdad’s fall has been an utter failure. As Mr. Bush plans to expand the overall size of the ’stressed’ US armed forces to meet the challenges of a long time global struggle against terrorists the new reports say suicides among U.S. soldiers in Iraq doubled last year over the previous year to return to a level seen in 2003.
Have a quick look at these figures— Twenty-two U.S. soldiers in Iraq took their own lives in 2005, a rate of 19.9 per 100,000 soldiers.
In 2004, the rate was 10.5 per 100,000.
In 2003, the year of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, the figure was 18.8 per 100,000.
The figures cover U.S. Army soldiers only. They do not include members of other U.S. military services in Iraq such as the Marine Corps.
A quick look what Bush said just days before the November elections, ‘Absolutely we’re winning.’
Now a deep look at what they say to describe the situation in Iraq ‘We’re not winning, we’re not losing.’
Also have a deeper look at US/coalition causalities (HERE) and an unknown number of non-combat deaths remain under investigation.
What’s causing this increase?
Most cases of suicide are related to a mental health issue like depression, whether it’s recognized or unrecognized in that individual. In general in society there is a stigma against mental health issues, and it exists even more so in the military. There is still an attitude that these people should be able to get over these issues themselves. Most importantly, is operational tempo, soilders going back for a third and fourth tour.
What ever is the rate of suicides in Iraq one thing is clear they’re exhausted and they don’t know where the goal line is. The administration hasn’t been clear in setting the goal line, and that contributes to anxiety and a sense of unease in the soldiers.
Via: MSNBC
