U.S. forces never found stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction masked in the desert terrain of Iraq. Credible links to al-Qaida were never established. And, although opinion polls before the war indicated the majority of Americans believed Saddam Hussein was connected with the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, no such link was ever uncovered.

At first glance, it’s difficult to understand why America went to war with Iraq or if anything tangible came from it.

But something of substance did come from America’s efforts. When forces captured Saddam Hussein, Iraqi citizens gained freedom. Freedom, we hoped, in basic rights such as voting without hesitation and practicing free speech and religion without fear in their long-oppressed native soil.

When major military operations ceased last spring and there was an immediate rebirth of Iraqi newspapers, it was taken as a good sign that Iraqis would soon enjoy the same freedoms Americans often take for granted.

Unfortunately, U.S. troops shut down one of the hallmarks of freedom this week when they closed Al Hawsa, a Baghdad newspaper that the U.S.-led civil administration believed was inciting violence against coalition troops.

In free nations, newspapers serve a watchdog function over the government — even if it means criticizing those in power, as Al Hawsa was doing. In nations where the press is stifled or controlled, newspapers serve only as the government’s public relations vehicle. One doesn’t have to look past Soviet newspapers produced during the heyday of the Cold War or Adolf Hitler’s propaganda reels to understand the grave dangers of government-controlled media.

In order for democracy to flourish, the people must control the media. Governments don’t have an especially good track record of disclosing their failures, misdeeds and miscalculations to their constituents. Sometimes, they even go out of their way to conceal the truth. This is when, more than ever, newspapers need to perform their watchdog function.

We are a people who rejoice in our freedoms and the “American” way of life.

Why, then, have we refused to grant the Iraqis basic freedoms we have enjoyed for more than two centuries under the First Amendment?

Right now, Al Hawsa’s building is sealed. Any person caught trying to publish the newspaper could face up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

This is no way to foster free expression, especially in a country America has invested so many lives and dollars into so Iraqis can enjoy these basic freedoms.