By As One Free Korea points out, you know it is time to start downsizing in Iraq when juicy bars are opening up outside US military installations:
American soldiers take advantage of increased security in Baghdad to sample the nightlife on Abu Nawas Street, mingling publicly with Iraqis in ways rarely seen in the Iraqi capital.
The American soldier stepped out of the Baghdad nightclub. In one hand, he clutched his weapon. In the other, a green can of Tuborg beer. He took a sip and walked over to two comrades, dressed as he was in camouflage and combat gear.
Inside the club Thursday night, U.S. soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Division ogled young Iraqi women who appeared to be prostitutes gyrating to Arabic pop music. A singer crooned soulfully through scratchy speakers to the raucous, pulsating beat — an action that Islamic extremists have deemed punishable by beheading.
Twenty minutes later, several drunk men coaxed an American soldier to dance. He awkwardly shuffled his feet, wearing night-vision equipment and a radio, joining the women and boisterous young men in an Arabic chain dance around tables covered with empty beer bottles. [Washington Post]
This Washington Post reporter just screwed these soldiers over, but then again they shouldn’t be drinking in a bar in the first place. For those that don’t know you cannot drink alcohol while deployed in Iraq. If soldiers have time to be doing this in Baghdad then that is a sure sign we should be downsizing.
Make sure to check out the full photo gallery though because this a liberalized version of Iraq that few people probably ever thought was possible to emerge.
7:19 am on March 10th, 2009 1
This much partying is only happening in a few places in Baghdad and not much at all, at least so openly, anywhere else in Iraq. I'm in Baqubah, 35 miles NE of Baghdad, and it's dead at night. However, no doubt, it's time to start pulling out of here for the most part and head over to Afghanistan for the next fight.
8:57 am on March 10th, 2009 2
I looked at these pictures and I definitely don't see any of the Soldiers holding a beer. In the picture you posted he is holding the hands of the man and woman he is dancing with.
Having been to Iraq and knowing that alcohol can be had easily, I hope that these particular Soldiers would know better than to break GO1 with what I would presume to be an embedded reporter in their unit. Not that I would condone breaking that order anyway, but things happen.
I don't think there is anything wrong with these pictures actually. I would almost bet that the Army knew and unofficially approved of these pics. The Soldiers aren't doing anything wrong. They are mingling with everday Iraqi's and in a positive way.
I think the pictures are interesting if you analyze them a bit…
Yes, there are Soldiers there, but of course they are still in full battle rattle. I would say they it looks like cautious fun.
Interesting that said fun is documented in a less than family friendly place, but hey at core of it all people, regardless of location, just want to have fun.
The Iraqi's deserve a little bit of this type of escape. After 30 years of living under an oppressive regime and then 6 years of fear from terrorists, heck, let them have their prostitutes and beer!
Finally, even though the location is less than ideal, I am glad that someone is showing Iraqi's having fun and with American Soldiers. Here's egg in your eye all you naysayers. We aren't hated everywhere!
9:04 am on March 10th, 2009 3
Ok, so the article itself mentioning the Soldier taking a "sip" of beer could be slightly damning.
{slap forhead} DOH!!!
12:48 pm on March 11th, 2009 4
Looking at those pictures, I have to ask: Are those women or female impersonators in that bar?
11:55 pm on May 7th, 2009 5
Here we go again!
2:30 pm on June 14th, 2010 6
i am one of the interps who work that time for 82nd and it was just a lie ..yes the iraqi grils there they did like the solderes because they look cool but are the solders they didnt do nothing not un legal there ..trust me