Now We Have the Iraqis Playing the Name Game

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Recently, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld tried to get Pentagon journalists to trade in the use of the term “insurgents” to label the enemy elements in Iraq. His suggested alternative: “enemies of the legitimate Iraqi government.” Now, according to a DOD news release, Iraqi officials have told US officials that they should stop calling groups opposed to the coalition “Sunni insurgents.” They said there are many Sunni Arabs who want to engage—legitimately—in the democratic process unfolding in the country. Iraqi officials prefer use of the term “Saddamists.” There’s more. Coalition officials also use the term “Iraqi rejectionists” to refer to those who participate in elections but still attack coalition forces.

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org