Blizzardboy | A Kiwi in Japan

Almost forgot that it was ANZAC day yesterday. No Anzac biscuits here, but a pleasant day nonetheless. For those of you who don’t know ANZAC stands for Australia New Zealand Army Corp and is a public holiday in both Australia and New Zealand to both recognize and honour the achievements and sacrifices of both countries armed forces.

Japan of course does not celebrate such a day - one would imagine the geopolitical ramifications of doing so especially with regards to Japan’s Asian neighbours would be swift and very difficult to deal with. Personally I feel such things should be remembered, above all so that people do not forget the stupidity of politicians whose inability to find peaceful solutions to their problems causes such catastrophic loss of life to their constituents.

(The photos on this post were taken last year in Gallipoli, Turkey, site of a terrible campaign in World War 1 with a great many casualties, which for both New Zealand and Turkey - enemies at the time - served as a major event in creating the sense of national identity that both countries demonstrate today. Visit Turkey and you will be surprised to be greeted with cries of Kia Ora and G’dday mate.)

 

Thinking about this topic, one of course gets around to the occupation of Iraq. I wish I had a copy of T.E. Lawrence’s Seven Pillars of Wisdom here in Japan with me. In that beautifully written work (be it fiction or non-fiction) he brings forth an idea that seems very pertinent to the topic of Iraq. Lawrence and the Arabs had a strategy based on the idea, that even if the Turkish forces were to have an outpost every 2 miles manned by 20 soldiers they would not be able to control the country if the Arabs were to adopt guerrilla like tactics and strike randomly.The only chance the Americans have of achieving peace in Iraq on their terms is through regime change - in America. The option is a withdrawal of the occupying forces. This would cause chaos, probably for 2 to 3 years before the power struggles ended. But it would be a faster solution than the current situation allows.

Today New Zealand soldiers, like their Australian, British and American comrades, are still involved in peacekeeping and other operations around the world including Afghanistan, Iraq and many other countries.

Wouldn’t it be great if they could come home tomorrow?

Other Random Posts from Blizzardboy. Enjoy:)

• Japan Today
• Takanosu -> KitaAkita
• Free Beer! Asahi Brewery Tour | Moriya Ibaraki