January 10, 2010

Each morning I rise to the sound of the call of prayers covering the city from mosques unseen. I rise and climb the steps of our concrete security building and ascend to the roof. The outlines of Iran are in the distance, purple mountains in the morning light and it is a new day in Iraq.

Working with candidates for Parliament, I ask them to do a "self assessment" of their strengths and weaknesses to develop strategy before their campaigns begin. "Here in the middle east, we do not do this", said one elder in the group. "It is not our culture, we will not share this information," smiled another.

"Fine, just right down your strengths and weaknesses on a paper in front of you, just for yourself," I said. "But I believe that a true leader is someone willing to admit their shortcomings and address them."

A hand was raised. "I will go," said a former government official with eagerness in his eyes. And so he began and once he had finished, another spoke, and another, and another until all had said their piece.

While there are oceans between cultures, we are all people, generally wanting the same things and once this connection is made, all is possible.

Perhaps I helped these candidates for Iraq's parliament. I will never know, but it is worth trying. The stakes are high. Successful elections likely mean about 70,000 of our troops can come home in quick fashion. And it is time.

And now there is no sleep, because I enjoyed a bit of home tonight by watching football, and cursing as my beloved Patriots were demolished. And this too shall pass.

More work in a few hours, when the sun rises again.

Editor's note: Scott Bates is the vice president of the Center for National Policy and is currently in Iraq and Afghanistan, working with candidates for Parliament in Iraq and assessing the political parties in Afghanistan.