The humanitarian situation in Iraq is inextricably linked to the politics and security situation there. It would be difficult to make lasting positive changes on the humanitarian side without resolving those issues as they are all part of the one jigsaw. The politics of "I told you so" is not going to add anything constructive to this debate and will not provide support for the beleaguered Iraqi population. It might give some satisfaction to a small minority of commentators but it will not put bread on the Iraqi tables, remove weapons from the Iraqi fields of conflict or reduce the daily killings in Baghdad or elsewhere. I am surprised at people's surprise at what is now happening on the ground in Baghdad and Iraq in general. No one could have been surprised at the outcome of the initial attack by the US and British military forces. The inevitable happened – overwhelming power and might won an easy victory. That was not in any way unexpected.