I lived in Saudi Arabia for five years including during the Gulf War. I visited Kuwait a few days after the war was over. I have also lived in Iran for two years during the Iranian Revolution and was there when Khomeini took over. I have visited most of the countries in the area except Iraq.
My gloomy assessment is that we are close to losing on the home front, just as we lost Viet Nam at home while Gen. Giap was in despair over the military hopenlessness of his situation.
I am also a Vietnam vet and was in Danang during the Tet offensive, which was a resounding defeat for the NVA and VC. The only similarity between Iraq and Vietnam is the possibility that we could lose the war at home. There is no way we can lose militarily.
However good the situation is on the ground, American public opinion is at the point where very little alarming news is needed to tip it against the war, IMO.
Only if we listen to people like Buckley or Cronkite clones. I don't view the situation as dire as you apparently do. American public opinion ebbs and flows depending on the latest news. People have a very short attention span. It is up to the President and our political leaders to remain resolute and strong during these bumps in the road. I am not as alarmed as you I guess.
Seems you've seen more than 99% of us here. I agree that there is no way we can lose militarily. Do you mind me asking, do you think we can win? How would we do that? And do you think that if the current status quo continued for years (ie..we need to be there for the next decade) does that constitute success?
Tired of uniformed opinions (particularly my own) and you seem to have first hand experience that would lend weight to your answer in my book. Thanks for any insight.