The Refugee Crisis Presents An Opportunity, As Long As The West Doesn’t Blow It

Townhall.com ^ | September 13, 2015 | Derek Hunter

[arthurus]

We did not need to occupy Iraq. We needed a major military establishment and the oil to pay for it, Basra and perhaps Mosul. With that the rest of Iraq would not matter. We could even have subsidized Saddam with “rent” but kept the oil if, of course Saddam survived the invasion necessary to accomplish it all. Bush showed invasion to be an easy thing to do. Iraq would have become a de facto protectorate that we protected against, say, Iran. Iraq, with or without Saddam, would be stable so long as we did not try to win any hearts and minds. Winning hearts and minds comes with being strong and resolute and doing what is best for us and not acting like Moslems rampaging in the countryside if it is to come at all.

[SJackson]

No disagreement with what you've said, though I'd call what you describe an occupation. With, like Japan and Germany, the objective of self government. At whatever time they were pleased with a large American presence.

Might well have worked in Iraq which had in many ways a westward facing consumer population. Iran was once like that too.

Splitting up Iran might have been a problem, allies and all. Now it will likely happen in time.

[Chgogal]

Oh Jeez, another FReeper who has seen the Obama Light. Idiot!