Imagine, if you will...

Rod Serling couldn't have scripted it better.

A military force occupies an area that is populated by an indigenous people who don't speak the same language as the occupiers. The occupied are forced to endure burdensome conditions of occupation, including concertina razor wire around entire towns, checkpoints, long lines, identification cards, and guards who don't speak their language. And the occupiers similarly are facing a hostile population in which it's impossible to tell who might be trying to kill you and who is simply frustrated with the occupiers' intrusion.

There is a deep misunderstanding between the two sides. The occupiers put a sign on the concertina wire that reads "This fence is here for your protection. Do not approach or try to cross, or you will be shot." In the face of attacks on the occupation force, the occupiers have blown up the homes of suspected attackers, and have imprisoned members of their families. Says an occupation soldier, "You have to understand the Arab mind. The only thing they understand is force — force, pride and saving face."

Meanwhile, the occupied feel ashamed and emasculated, which only feeds the rage. "This is absolutely humiliating," said Yasin Mustafa, a 39-year-old primary school teacher. "We are like birds in a cage." They complain that the restrictions on them make their lives impossible. According to one report, the village is locked down for 15 hours a day, meaning that residents are unable to go to the mosque for morning and evening prayers. They say the curfew does not allow them time to stand in the daylong lines for gasoline and get home before the gate closes for the night.

Sounds like the Israelis are in an untenable situation, right? Well here's the kicker. It's not Israelis occupying some town in the West Bank.

It's the US, occupying the town of Abu Hishma in Iraq, as described in yesterday's New York Times. [link]

Chillingly, the article quotes Lt. Colonel Nathan Sassaman, who is the battalion commander of the troops who are occupying the town. Here's his view of what his troops are supposed to be doing: "With a heavy dose of fear and violence, and a lot of money for projects, I think we can convince these people that we are here to help them."

Explain to me again that part about how we're bringing democratic values to the Middle East? Because clearly, I'm missing something...