to get of of Iraq. The latest incident of political unrest where Baghdad's mayor was ousted seems to indicate that our goals are not being met. Kidnappers also grabbed a high-ranking Interior Ministry official. And 7 more US soldiers died.
I supported this at the onset, even though I knew that democracy and the Middle East are not compatable. I felt that the removal of Saddam was a good thing and still do. But this quagmire in Iraq shows no signs of improving.
A public relations problem exists, of course. Leaving now would put us at risk for major (and perhaps justified) criticism for not finishing what we started. It also sends a sad message to our soldiers, many of whom probably do want to accomplish lasting change in Iraq. And it casts the same doubts regarding our involvement as happened in Viet Nam. All that aside, there seems to be nothing we can accomplish there anymore unless we drastically change our approach. And that won't happen either.
It is not going to happen. It is time to craft a plan to get out. We cannot force the Iraqui people to do what they won't do on their own.
I supported this at the onset, even though I knew that democracy and the Middle East are not compatable. I felt that the removal of Saddam was a good thing and still do. But this quagmire in Iraq shows no signs of improving.
A public relations problem exists, of course. Leaving now would put us at risk for major (and perhaps justified) criticism for not finishing what we started. It also sends a sad message to our soldiers, many of whom probably do want to accomplish lasting change in Iraq. And it casts the same doubts regarding our involvement as happened in Viet Nam. All that aside, there seems to be nothing we can accomplish there anymore unless we drastically change our approach. And that won't happen either.
It is not going to happen. It is time to craft a plan to get out. We cannot force the Iraqui people to do what they won't do on their own.