There’s a measure of truth to the assertion that al-Qaeda did not have a significant presence in Iraq before the war. Be that as it may, since the war began they’ve infested the place like cockroaches, and they’re not going away if we leave. On the other hand, leaving Iraq could be a scenario of “addition by subtraction”. i.e., The rest of the world is just sitting their with its popcorn while we’re sacrificing lives and money as Iraq becomes playground to al Qaeda and Iranian backed Shiite terrorists. In my estimate, there’s only two ways we win this war:
1. Military draft and troop explosion - say, an additional 150,000 to 200,000 boots on the ground. Chances of this happening - less than zero.
2. Withdraw from Iraq and force the issue on the European Union. If they’re going to refuse tactical and personnel support, let them reap the whirlwind. I submit that the EU has an even greater interest in containing Al Qaeda, given the geographic proximity and Iran’s nuclear program (and conventional long-range missile development).
Drastic? Yes. But we have to admit that the reality is: we’re politically paralyzed. We’ll never get the troops necessary to win this battle with the terrorists. The only way to increase is to decrease. Force the rest of the world to confront this. Sadly, this is our only hope.
The betrayal of our country by the Democratic party is historic. This betrayal is costing hundreds of lives of our servicemen and women. The outcome is a forgone conclusion with this ball and chain attached to our military. We need to get out of Iraq and regroup. Spare our soldiers this debacle and let the rest of the world deal with the consequence of their own cowardice. This is not World War II. We don’t have the personnel to sustain an operation like this. That’s the unfortunate reality.
Just a question.
#3...have you factored in, letting the military do what they do best and use all their skills without “silly” rules of engagement which do not allow the use of all force possible?
Just a question, an outcome, I can not see that you have considered.
Well reasoned and thought out but predicated on assumptions provided by the media.
The United States has never at any time been losing the war in iraq. The only potential of losing is a decision by the United States to withdraw. Up to the moment of withdrawal the US would have been winning in Iraq.
Al Qaeda has always fantasized about fighting US troops. That’s why they swarmed on us at Mogadishu. They will fight us anywhere they can.
The most striking success of the war in Iraq is the turning of the domestic population against Al Qaeda. Iraqis hate Al Qaeda more than Americans do. Plenty of anti war Americans empathize with Al Qaeda and see them in the Michael Moore light of early iraqi patriots. Aspects of this delusion are amplified in the media by fools such as Michael Ware.
The US is successfully training Iraqi security forces. Consequently, the impossible situation of Anbar is becoming LIKE THE MAJORITY OF IRAQ a pacified situation where Al Qaeda is picked off with ease.
The top Al Qaeda leader of Iraq was captured on July 4.
Since WWII the war of the world has been nothign more than a mind game against the American electorate. Anti American propaganda is produced over seas and here at home to convince us we are the biggest losers in the World when in point of fact humanity cannot get on our side fast enough because they see how horrendous all alternatives are.
“We don’t have the personnel to sustain an operation like this. “
Then why is the surge working?
“Spare our soldiers this debacle and let the rest of the world deal with the consequence of their own cowardice.”
The rest of the world is not going to deal with the consquences of their own cowardice. Don’t you get that? They never have and they never will. Britain is the only country in that area of the world that will do anything, and they can not respond the way we can.
Add to that, after we leave, Iraq will be taken over either by Al Quaeda or Iran and either way, Al Quaeda will come after us, the United States, not the EU.