[thejokker]

From a military point of view the invasion of Iraq was a viable strategy. By displacing the largest Army in the region we were well positioned to allow real democratic reform to occur in the region at a minimal cost. Not only could we have suppressed the rise of ISIS but we could have acted in Syria and Libya.

Much in the same way we nurtured democratic reforms in Germany and Japan the same could have occurred in Iraq and by consequence in other countries in the Middle-East.

Some may argue that doing nothing would have been better however doing nothing and allowing the rise of Islamic militants in the 90’s resulted in 9/11...

[cuban leaf]

Much in the same way we nurtured democratic reforms in Germany and Japan the same could have occurred in Iraq and by consequence in other countries in the Middle-East.

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Yep. And notice both of those countries still have a US military presence. This is what should have happened in Iraq and what I argued for.

[Jimmy Valentine]

Germany and Japan were both cohesive societies Iran Irac Syria are not They are artificial constructs of the Sykes-Picot agreement of WWI
What is happening is the reversion of these states to their religious and tribal origins which we should encourage. There will never a “Caliphate” as the different factions will never agree

[Jim Noble]

By displacing the largest Army in the region we were well positioned to allow real democratic reform to occur in the region

That was the central error.

The last thing on earth we should want is "democracy" in the Ummah. What we should want are ruthless dictators beholden to us and afraid of us to rule the Muslim masses and to prevent another Al Qaeda from taking shape.