I hope you are correct in your hopes concerning a future Iraq with a government somewhat resembling a democratic republic. In my most humble of opinions I believe it is a goal that just won't be achieved in that region of the world where so many people are either opposed to or incapable of understanding the benifits of personal freedom.
There are so many forces vehemently opposed to western ideology and culture. From the poor, un or under-educated followers of Islam as practiced in the mid east to the despots in power over them that I am really unsure we can accomplish that task.
One this is for certain, however. We must "WIN" this war even if it means bombing them back into the dark ages where their world view and philosophy has had them mentally trapped for eons.
Rather than attempting to define what winning will be, I suggest we need to really define what the WAR is all about. I believe it is about the ability of all western civilization to be able to live in peace and security from a philosophy bent upon our destruction.
We didn't start this WAR, but we damned sure must make sure that it is completed in "our" favor.
Unfortunately down the line I think we are going to have to make some hard decisions on "our rules of engagement" to include the manner in which we interrogate suspected soldiers in Allah's Army.
The genie is out of the bottle for LTC. West and the best thing the Pentagon and Administration could do now is to quickly get this unfortunate affair behind them. Let the man retire with full benifits at his present grade and "ruck on" (old soldier talk).
Again thank you for your service.
Who Ah & whooooooooppppp (new soldier talk).