[Blue Scourge]

So, what do you think we should do?

[Cucumber]

Don't ask.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Well, speaking from my near-total ignorance of military matters and international diplomacy, if I were president, I'd address Congress and the nation and clearly outline the stakes and the choices facing us:

1) Withdraw, as the Democrats and some Republicans wish. This would certainly mean abandoning at least a large part of Iraq to the Iranians, who would emerge from this a much more powerful and important force in the Mideast. It could also mean betraying the Kurds yet again, and would certainly involve the influx of large numbers of Iraqi refugees into the US. The net result, then, of our invasion on Iraq would not have been to install a friendly democracy in Iraq, but rather to bring the Shi'a fundamentalists to power over the Sunnis and to enhance Iran's position in the world - an outcome even the most deranged leftist should not desire.

2) Recognize that a new war must be fought in Iraq - this time to destroy the Iran-backed Shia militias and also the al-Qaeda-Sunni factions. This would entail a larger number of troops, possible strikes against targets in Syria and Iran, and a clear recognition by Democrats and the public that this is a long-term commitment which will inevitably see more US casualties. Victory in this war would establish Iraq as a friendly nation (democracy or not) that would serve as a bulwark against Iranian expansionism.

3) Make clear that there is no third option. Getting mad at the Iraqis for not ending the sectarian violence is pointless - most aren't involved in it and those who are involved have no reason to stop, since they appear to be winning.

I believe that the people of the US have always been prepared to sacrifice, if the cause and it's consequences are made clear, and if the president is willing to outline a clear plan of action. What people don't like is the seeming pointlessness of this effort, with a small but constant loss of young American lives and no end in sight, since no clear end-point has ever been defined. I have nothing but respect for Bush's decision to invade Iraq - deposing Saddam was absolutely a good thing for the world, but a war leader must do far more than Bush has done to confront the opposition and to make clear the stakes and the objectives.

[AmusedBystander]

Spray all the areas with our soon-to-be-outdated chemicals where Saddam did not spray. It saves us a bunch of storage and disposal costs and rids Iraq of all who won't cooperate.

[kipita]

Very Easy......

Pit the Kurds in the North against the Shite's in the South. This will limit Iran's influence and also limit al-Sadr's influence. This would also keep Turkey happy. This requires CIA intervention.

Use strong force against al-Sadr as he represents gangsters and criminals. Enough said.......

Treat Christians and other minority groups well as they are more representative of a secular country. This could also foster better international relations.

Well, this is what Sadaam did?

[IamConservative]

1) Quit sending our soldiers out on patrol to act as targets.

2) Seal the borders with Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia. Guard major crossing points with manned, fortified positions. Guard the open parts with electronic and photo surveillance. Vaporize anything that crosses without our permission.

3) Pull the rest of the forces back into defensive only positions to protect the government institutions and infrastructure.

4) Encourage those who want to fight to have at it. Give them one year to settle it and have new elections.

5) If they cannot settle it, install a dictator to rule them by the sword.

[Danae]

What ever it takes. Then stay as long as necessary to make it a FUNCTIONING Nation State able to defend itself, its borders, and it's people.

Any other questions? ;)

[Labyrinthos]

Sell the place on eBay.

[april15Bendovr]

LISTEN TO THE TROOPS AND AVOID PEOPLE IN SUITS

[A. Pole]

Ask him:

[EQAndyBuzz]

"What do you think we should do with Iraq?"

Pull all troops from Baghdad and move them to the Iranian border. Then announce a callup of an additional 250,000 troops as well as deploying anti-missile batteries.

Then increase the naval presence in the gulf and tell the UN Israel has a free hand to do what it has to do to get rid of Hamas and Hizbollah. And mention the French better leave Lebanon now.

Other then that, pull the remaining troops out of South Korea, announce that North Korea won the war and move all european bases eastward except for the bases in Great Britain.

Oh, and arm Taiwan with nukes.

[sageb1]

A regime change in Iran would solve 90% of the problem in Iraq.

[Spok]

We need to install our own dictator; one who has the ability to stay alive and keep control of the country, and to hell with how he does it. A tyrant won't do anything to these people that they won't do to each other, and they only behave when they're afraid to do otherwise.

[Old Professer]

NUKE 'EM!