Ignorance or Sabotage?

The Democrats in Congress have chosen a particularly delicate moment to bring up a controversial resolution that could have serious implications for our soldiers' ability to wage the war in Iraq. The Wall Street Journal comments here; the incomparable Thomas Sowell here.

There's no disputing that a genocide of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire happened, or that it was a terrible, terrible thing. The question is why the Democrats chose this moment to bring the matter up -- when our relations with Turkey are more vital than ever to success in Iraq -- thereby putting Republicans in the position either of denying the genocide or damaging the war effort?

There are only two explanations for the Democrats' choice to raise the matter at this time: Either they are so ignorant of events in and around Iraq that they didn't know any better, or, more perniciously, they are trying to cripple the U.S. effort to win the war against Al Qaeda in Iraq just as there are signs of a turn around in our favor.

As appalling as Democrat ignorance on such a subject would be, it's infinitely better than the suspicion that Congressional Democrats are engaging in sabotage of our military. But the latter can't be ruled out -- think how damaging for Democrat electoral hopes (and how revealing of presidential candidates' foreign policy judgment) it would be if the war started to come to a successful conclusion, when most of their party first supported the war, then turned on it and advocated a defeat that turns out to be unnecessary.