The Good News You're Not Getting

Michael Yon: A Fork in the Road
Dohuk, Northern Iraq-
Approaching Dohuk, a short drive north of Mosul, brings to mind the countryside in Italy. The war is over in Dohuk. After suffering perhaps a half century of fighting, the people have finally gotten peace they wanted long ago. With the old Iraqi government vanquished, Dohuk is thriving. In fact, this Iraqi city appears to be doing at least as well--perhaps remarkably better--than many comparably-sized towns in Italy. A visit to this place affords more than a break from the rugged routine of war. It also provides a postcard of a possible future for all of Iraq.

Coalition military presence in the region is scant, and those who travel here come mainly for shopping, or to relax and drink tea with friendly Iraqis, who often will not allow Americans to pay. Despite there being a few too many "thank yous," the people know when they are intruding and have the manners to smile and quietly go about their way.A group of soldiers from Deuce Four planned to drive to Dohuk, so I asked to hitch a ride. We drove out from Mosul without being attacked, and within a short time passed "the green line" into Kurdistan, where every odometer click was a mile deeper into safety. Checkpoint after checkpoint, the Kurdish police and soldiers searched cars and papers while smiling and waving the Americans through.Once in Dohuk, American soldiers removed helmets and body armor, and carried only their weapons. The commander set them free, with orders to return later that day. I walked with some soldiers to a department store where we passed by the kiddie rides outside. The storefront may well have been in Colorado Springs, or Munich. There were big push-carts for the adults, and little carts for the children.

To read this entire dispatch from Michael Yon, and to see the pictures that go with it click HERE

For another perspective of Dohuk, please visit the website from the University in town: http://www.uni-dohuk.net/web/gallery.html