The proper way to view events in Iraq is not through a military prism.
Ask your daughter what would be the best things that could happen to the people there, and ask what sorts of events are likely to let those things happen.
A dispassionate analysis should conclude that an expansion of Freedom would be best, not only for the Iraqis and their region, but also for the rest of the world.
Our purpose there is not the suppression of WMDs or of a particular religion, but the opening up of economic opportunity. With burgeoning economic opportunity, freedom tends to follow, and Iraq's economy is burgeoning.
By comparison, Iran's economy is stagnating. Even without military pressures, if things go on this way for very much longer, the people sneaking into Iraq from Iran will not be terrorists, but opportunists, seeking to better their lives.
I keep trying to explain to her that the people who are bombing the civilians in the markets and schools are NOT Iraqis, and that there is no “civil war” because the people who are causing the most damage are NOT Iraqis.
I think she’s just heard too much BS to really change her mind. I’m going to sit her down the next time we’re together and ask her if she remembers how enthusiastic her dad was in a political discussion.
No matter what her answer, I’m going to tell her he was that way because he studied political things from every viewpoint, and refused to take a side that wasn’t the RIGHT side. He could argue effectively because he had the information which led to the truth. I suspect he would not be happy with her views.