In Afghanistan, the destruction of the Taliban was the right thing to do. The subsequent attempt to transform the country into a democracy capable of defending itself (like we supposed had accomplished in Iraq) was totally stupid.
Regarding Iraq, invading Iraq wasn’t as stupid as attempting to transform Afghanistan into a democracy capable of defending itself. I opposed the invasion in real time, but I didn’t think the other position was totally stupid.
It turns out “we” erred (not me, I opposed it in real time) in three big ways:
1.We had limited ability to field a peacekeeping force. We thought the Blue Helmets of the U.N. would show up.
2.We underestimated the sectarian divides in Iraq.
3.And, we overestimated the willingness of Iraqis to defend their country (in comparison, consider the willingness of Iraqi Kurds to defend Iraqi Kurdistan).
There are lessons in both mistakes.
1.Consider privatizing security operations. Iraq has enormous oil reserves. The oil could have financed private companies defending production, etc.
2.Consider incremental options. How about declaring a southern no fly zone (similar to the northern no fly zone in Iraqi Kurdistan)? Then, if the Marsh Arabs would rise to their own defense, that segment of Iraq could evolve into a functioning government.
3.DO NOT EVER THINK that providing free stuff wins “hearts and minds.” Welfare breeds laziness, greed and contempt. You can never do enough for others. They have to do for themselves. Freedom isn’t free stuff. Here, I quote “Starship Trooper”:
“A citizen accepts personal responsibility for the safety of the body politic defending it with his life.”
What we’re seeing in Ukraine are citizens.
After a 20 year occupation, who leads Ashcanistan today?