New Iraq Strategy Focuses on Bad Actors?

[Red Lion]

The overarching aim of the plan, which sets goals for the end of this year and the end of 2008, is more political than military: to negotiate settlements between warring factions in Iraq from the national level down to the local level. In essence, it is as much about the political deals needed to defuse a civil war as about the military operations aimed at quelling a complex insurgency, said officials with knowledge of the plan.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18775219/

[Deleted User]

[Deleted by Admins]

[AJ52]

Diplomacy is the only way this will ever end. Killings will only breed more killings. Its the Halmark of the mid-east tradition - very difficult for westerners to identify with.

You honestly believe Diplomacy could have,would have and now bring the Middle East as a whole to peace.That's a very long road and if it EVER occurs thru Diplomacy it will only be with equal lethal force to the point where losses are far greater than any gain.

Fact is we've used Diplomacy with these Rag Headed Thugs for decades to no avail.They have no regard for human life,liberty,freedom or the consequences of there actions in there own region much less the World as a whole - whether it be blowing up Oil Fields,WMD's,Suicide Missions,Attacking US and its Allies or slinging a Nuke IF they had the chance.

Just two events in recent History:
Desert Shield - Gave Diplomacy every chance - didn't work.
As I recall many Americans to this day are outraged we didn't kill every last Iraq soldier while in retreat and then go into Bagdad and take out Sadam.
911 - We got Sucker Punched on that one.Need I say more
Here's an Oldy - Pearl Harbor - Another Sucker Punch on the U.S. Peace talks obviously failed - before we nuked them once - more talks that didin't work - nuked them again.Diplomacy never worked with ***an until we turned two major cities into rubble.

some of the Sunni insurgents (not Al Qeada) have approached the US military for a truce or even some type of alliance, but we won't talk to them.

And why won't we talk to them?? It's that Thug Bush I'm sure.

The Middle East is a Oil Rich Powder Keg with WMD/Nuclear disaster waiting to happen any time any place. Use Diplomacy Pull Out but stay tuned its coming to see us in a city or town near you.

[kevin1]

If diplomacy worked there would be peace in that region, diplomacy has never worked there and never will as long as it's residents insist on living in the 12th century. You can't reason with savages.

[Fieldmouse]

ORIGINAL: kevin1

If diplomacy worked there would be peace in that region, diplomacy has never worked there and never will as long as it's residents insist on living in the 12th century. You can't reason with savages.

Ditto, You have to defeat their will to fight.

[Whitehorse]

Actually, Ifferd, in Iraq we are talking to those who are tired of the islamist terror attacks. It's an ongoing thing - not static. In some provinces Sunni leaders are banding against Al Queda.