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Cato Institute Experts Comment on the Death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and the Future of Iraq
Cato Institute ^ | June 8, 2006 | Cato Institute

Posted on 06/15/2006 8:13:40 AM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks

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1 posted on 06/15/2006 8:13:46 AM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
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To: abner; Abundy; AGreatPer; alisasny; ALlRightAllTheTime; AlwaysFree; AnnaSASsyFR; Angelwood; ...

PING!

Cato's take on Zarweewee's death...


2 posted on 06/15/2006 8:14:45 AM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks (One flag--American. One language--English. One allegiance--to America!)
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

"Let's celebrate the end of Zarqawi. And then let's use the occasion to announce a firm schedule for the withdrawal of all American troops."

Here's where you lose me. If Zarkman's death is of little consequence to you, why the call to bring troops home early?


3 posted on 06/15/2006 8:16:22 AM PDT by Fenris6 (3 Purple Hearts in 4 months w/o missing a day of work? He's either John Rambo or a Fraud)
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

Although I'm not really familiar with CATO and their orientation, this sounds like just so much more liberal whining and poor interpretations and opinions.


4 posted on 06/15/2006 8:19:11 AM PDT by prairiebreeze (“Double or triple our troubles and we would still be better off than any people on earth.”---Reagan)
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To: prairiebreeze

They're Libertarians, and politically isolationists.

They're on our side in economic issues but would prefer to simply ignore the Iraqi situation.

I used to be a Libertarian and economically I still am. I've drifted towards Republicanism because I think it's important to be engaged in the world and fight the good fight for freedom where necessary.

D


5 posted on 06/15/2006 8:22:13 AM PDT by daviddennis
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

I think it's clear that the Iraqi's are doing exactly as what is stated here. We're now taking the initiative...and chasing the enemy now that they have their backs to the wall.

I think you'll see troop withdrawals very quickly...

PS-Of course however, the MSM says the Zarqawi was not important...


6 posted on 06/15/2006 8:22:46 AM PDT by nikos1121
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks
I believe these opinions are intellectual honest and are untainted by poisonous leftism. The points are certainly arguable. Whether or not we are seeing an absolute turning point should not dispose us one way or another. The strategic advantages of an eventually successful Iraq are huge. The strategic disadvantages of defeat there are even bigger on the negative side.

Sure, there needs to be a certain pressure on Iraq itself to stand on its feet. But at the same time, the supporting US forces need to stay in strength right now.

7 posted on 06/15/2006 8:28:31 AM PDT by NutCrackerBoy
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To: nikos1121
I think you'll see troop withdrawals very quickly...

We should not withdraw. Cato sounds just like the Liberal capitulationists. Maybe if Liberatrians weren't so busy smoking pot and god knows what else, they'd be able to think clearly on the subject.

8 posted on 06/15/2006 8:31:16 AM PDT by Stepan12
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To: Stepan12

I think we should from now on always have a physical presence in the middle east. To leave completely would be stupid.

On the other hand...I'm wondering if we can achieve just as much with fewer troops on the ground and our navy. The Iraqis have to do this themselves.

I can't see us getting in the middle of their reconciliation process.


9 posted on 06/15/2006 8:34:20 AM PDT by nikos1121
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To: nikos1121
PS-Of course however, the MSM says the Zarqawi was not important...

Ted Galen Carpenter, Cato Institute, vice president for foreign policy and defense studies:

"Americans should not assume that Zarqawi's death will make a major difference in Iraq's overall security environment.

IS Ted Galen Carpenter, Cato Institute, vice president for foreign policy and defense studies A MEMBER OF THE MSM?

10 posted on 06/15/2006 8:34:43 AM PDT by MrCruncher
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To: prairiebreeze
Although I'm not really familiar with CATO and their orientation, this sounds like just so much more liberal whining and poor interpretations and opinions.

CATO is more libertarian and takes the position that the U.S. should not be the world's policeman. But clearly that might be correct policy regarding haiti, but not in iraq imho. The thought of terrorists causing problems in the OIL RICH middle east is a pretty serious scenario.

11 posted on 06/15/2006 8:35:01 AM PDT by 1Old Pro
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To: MrCruncher

He made a few good points... but overall sounds like an idiot


12 posted on 06/15/2006 8:39:23 AM PDT by nikos1121
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

The article said -- "Let's celebrate the end of Zarqawi. And then let's use the occasion to announce a firm schedule for the withdrawal of all American troops."

Disagree with that. And I see that the U.S. Government does too. They are planning on having bases there for a long time, although there will definitely be troop reductions, eventually.

We are shifting from the old Cold War Alignments to what I would call the new "End Times Biblical Alignments". Wait and watch, Armageddon is coming. The time is now...

Regards,
Star Traveler


13 posted on 06/15/2006 8:40:47 AM PDT by Star Traveler
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To: 1Old Pro

You said -- "The thought of terrorists causing problems in the OIL RICH middle east is a pretty serious scenario."

And such huge world oil reserves that have yet to be even developed.

Regards,
Star Traveler


14 posted on 06/15/2006 8:43:04 AM PDT by Star Traveler
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To: Fenris6
Here's where you lose me. If Zarkman's death is of little consequence to you, why the call to bring troops home early?

Good point. And this:

"The intelligence assets and special forces who were assigned to hunt for Zarqawi and others in Iraq should be refocused on the pursuit of Osama bin Laden."

It's already being done. The US and Brits are moving some big heat over to Afghanistan to get Omar and Bin Laden - which is yet another reason the Zarqawi hit WAS important. If Cato's gonna criticize, they should at least read FR to keep up with the news. LOL.

From the Herald article:

The soldiers facing relocation from Iraq are from Task Force 121, operating out of a base at Balad and Task Force Black, based in Baghdad.

They are the teams responsible for locating Abu Musab al Zarqawi, the al Qaeda terrorist leader killed last week in a US airstrike near Baquba.

The clandestine units were also central in capturing Saddam Hussein, cornering and killing his sons Uday and Qusay, and rescuing the British hostage Norman Kember.

15 posted on 06/15/2006 8:48:06 AM PDT by rake (zarqawi eats spam! - (in hell))
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To: Stepan12
Maybe if Liberatrians weren't so busy smoking pot and god knows what else, they'd be able to think clearly on the subject.

So I take it you don't smoke pot. So what is your excuse for not being able to think clearly?

16 posted on 06/15/2006 8:55:44 AM PDT by Protagoras ("A real decision is measured by the fact that you have taken a new action"... Tony Robbins)
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To: MrCruncher
IS Ted Galen Carpenter, Cato Institute, vice president for foreign policy and defense studies A MEMBER OF THE MSM?

NO.

17 posted on 06/15/2006 8:56:43 AM PDT by Protagoras ("A real decision is measured by the fact that you have taken a new action"... Tony Robbins)
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To: 1Old Pro
The thought of terrorists causing problems in the OIL RICH middle east is a pretty serious scenario.

They agree.

It's just that they don't necessarily think that a long term US military engagement is the way to address it.

There can be disagreement among thoughtful people about that.

18 posted on 06/15/2006 9:01:44 AM PDT by Protagoras ("A real decision is measured by the fact that you have taken a new action"... Tony Robbins)
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

Did I say that?

19 posted on 06/15/2006 9:11:33 AM PDT by Niteranger68 (Ninguna tarjeta verde. Ningún Inglés. Ningún servicio.)
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To: Protagoras

Then why does he echo THE EXACT WORDS of the MSM?


20 posted on 06/15/2006 9:14:09 AM PDT by MrCruncher
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