[Dean's World] Andrew Cory: What the hell are we doing in Iraq?

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Posted by Andrew Cory:
What the hell are we doing in Iraq?
http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1162838396.shtml


   I admit that my title is inflammatory, but I'd like to know what
   people who read and comment on this site think we're trying to
   accomplish over there. From my perspective:

   I'd like to see a stable, unified (democratic) Iraq. Then we can get
   out. If that's impossible, I'd like to see a stable, united
   (democratic) Kuristan; Shialand; and Sunniville(names negotiable). I'd
   like to see none of these countries likely to go to war with their
   neighbors. Then I'd like to get out...

   What I see instead is that Iraq is being embroiled in a multi-sided
   civil war. This civil war is going to result in (I think) one of my
   two preferred options. But I don't think that we Americans are going
   to be able to effect the outcome all that much. If we do want to
   effect the outcome, we may have to reconquer the whole bloody
   country...

   If we do decide to reconquer the whole country, we'll first have to
   admit that we didn't have a good plan for post-war the first time
   around-- and figure out a good one before we try again...

   So what did I miss? Why do you think that we're likely to create a
   stable and democratic country or three out of the current mess called
   Iraq? Why do you believe that America can affect the outcome all that
   much? And finally: is the degree to which America can affect the
   outcome worth the cost in blood and treasure?

   As for me? I want to see peace and democracy in that area. To get it,
   we need leaders who are capable of formulating a good plan. Since we
   lack a plan, we should get out. Just hang Saddam and leave the
   country...