B. Will you see it as primarily a failure of the USA?
It will be added to the list of a long line of failed foreign policy objectives. I think most people expect too much to happen too soon, and that is reflected in our policy. Rome wasn't built in a day, and a democracy in Iraq isn't going to be either.
__________________
You may beat the rap, but you won't beat the ride!
I agree with NT , those folks have never actually been free to govern themselves throughout the history of their country , they won't be able to do it in just a few years either any more than Hamas will be able to govern the Palestinians without back biting and intrigue for years to come . All we've done is lay the groundwork , they have to build on it .
__________________
Kevin Haendiges
NAHC Life Member
NRA Member
Wildlife Forever Member
GOA Member
Buckmasters Member
http://hunting-indiana.com
Practically every stinkin raghead over there knows only violence and dictatorship... that's really all they understand. It's been that way for over 2K years, so I don't understand why everyone expects things to just be "peachy dandy" in a few years.Up until the 30s whenthe oil was discovered over there, most of them were desert nomads living as they had for the last thousand+ years.Not only do we have to build a modern society over there, change their culture, install modern political blueprints but we also must allow a 3rd world economy to become modern. Other than petrol, for the most part the vast majority of the population over there is centuries behind us and they have no resources for building a modern, self sustaining economy. A few poltical leaders and dictators are the ones reaping the billion$ from oil revenue. The average camel herder hasn't a clue.
All that isn't going to change appreciably within this decade!
RA
I don't agree that we will pull out, don't see that happening. Agree or not with us being there in the first place, pulling out now would be irresponsible and would lead to either civil war in Iraq and/or Iraq border countries invading leading to a middle-east war.
I think the biggest mistake, again aside from whether we should have gone or not, was improperly set expectations of what would happen AFTER Sadaam was gone.
Location: On an Island in the west coast of New England
Posts: 13,133
RE: Just wondering?
I think getting out will be a major focus in the '08 elections. At that time most people will be looking to get everyone home and our presence will end. I have a hard time believing that Iraq will actually form a democratic society and live that way. If we left today, other than the fact that Sadam is in jail, what has changed? The religious sects are still really controlling things and another dictator would just assume command. That is what they know and I don't think it will ever change.
__________________
Too busy with fishing to spend much time here.
I think getting out will be a major focus in the '08 elections. At that time most people will be looking to get everyone home and our presence will end. I have a hard time believing that Iraq will actually form a democratic society and live that way. If we left today, other than the fact that Sadam is in jail, what has changed? The religious sects are still really controlling things and another dictator would just assume command. That is what they know and I don't think it will ever change.Â*Â*
They are operating under a democratic form of government now. The people running the country were elected by the people themselves. It isn't going to be stable overnight. It's going to take years of violence, destruction and a lot of money on our part and the part of the Iraqi people.
If we left today, then the soldiers who died there died in vain.
Just wondering?
