Congratulations to the Iraqi national football team on winning the Asian Cup! The Asian Cup is the top continental honour that an Asian national team can win, and marks an historic achievement for Iraq (whose Under-23 team narrowly missed out on a medal at the Olympics in 2004). The final was played against Saudi Arabia, and was won 1-0 in front of a packed stadium in Jakarta, thanks to a late winner scored by Younis Mahmoud of Kirkuk. Earlier in the tournament, they had beaten Australia, co-hosts Vietnam, and South Korea (on penalties).

The libertarian opinion on the Iraq war is split quite widely. In fact, it’s pretty much split straight down the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Most British libertarians are proactivists, and were in favour of toppling Saddam Hussein; most Americans are isolationists, and were opposed.

However, whatever your opinion, this victory can only be a good thing for fledgling Iraqi democracy, free-market economy, and liberty. By winning the Asian Cup, the second biggest title in Iraq’s national sport, the bedevilled country has achieved its greatest ever sporting accomplishment. If the national unity created in today’s moment of ecstasy can hold, Iraq may well develop the national identity that it needs, and take hold of its own situation, and flourish as a free and prosperous nation as it never has before.

Today, we can but hope, but tonight belongs to the people of Iraq!