The scene from the Babylon Hotel, frequented by foreigners, after it was attacked January 26. Photo courtesy of Reuters.
The successful attacks Monday on the three leading international hotels in Baghdad tell us a lot:
1) Media have lost much of their interest in the Iraq War since it was "won" and Iraq appeared to be on the path to democracy. As U.S. and other troops leave, the level of coverage has declined--to the point that these three brazen bombings are not even the top news in the West. Is there any doubt that they would have been our leading stories four or five years ago?
2) Journalists may think of themselves as observers, but al Qaeda and its terrorist pals are not confused: journalists are seen as enemies of militant Islamists. The three targeted hotels hit Monday are in what was called the "Red Zone;" namely, everything outside the highly secured government "Green Zone." All, including al Hamra, where I stayed six years ago, are frequented largely, if not mainly, by journalists. Many news organizations have offices as well as dwellings there.
3) Even the most "secure" locations are still vulnerable. The al Hamra has been hit before, but never so directly. The breached fortifications were substantial.
My heart goes out to all those, including the hotel staffs and small concessionaires, who have been assaulted.
We are not done yet in Iraq.
