It depends on what is being measured

The state of affairs in Iraq should be measured by what the country has been able to achieve, when it comes to handling its own affairs. Analysing the ground reality merely by the numbers would only bring about ill-founded conclusions. According to the latest official Iraqi numbers, attacks carried out in Baghdad by insurgents and rival sectarian militants have fallen by 80 per cent. This has largely been attributed to the year-long "Operation Imposing Law".

"In a time when you could hear nothing but explosions, gunfire and the screams of mothers and fathers and sons, and see bodies that were burned and dismembered, the people of Baghdad were awaiting Operation Imposing Law," said Lieutenant General Abboud Qanbar.

But it is very deceiving to assess the situation in Iraq through the calculation of numbers only. Security is undoubtedly critical to achieving any progress in the country but there are many other factors that are involved and these should also be taken into consideration.

For one thing, meeting the basic needs of the people is of utmost importance. This includes providing appropriate healthcare, education, transportation and employment, to name a few. What is essential is ensuring that adequate services are indeed being provided for all the people across the country. Furthermore, the issue of Iraqi refugees has to be seriously addressed. According to the United Nations, there are more than four million Iraqi refugees, of which two million are displaced within the country, and another two million who have fled the country. Hence, any progress in the country would be short until and unless this group is included. But the real question today is what has Iraq achieved in terms of its freedom, independence, development and unity as a nation.