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Originally Posted by nabilfannoush
Sorry didn't get back to you right away, Ray. Time difference.
An answer or a suggestion? That's the million dollar question everyone's hoping for an answer. One thing for sure: The Bush Administration and armed forces don't have it, or even get it. One can't help but think that the moment an American soldier, good honorable capable soldier that he is, set foot on Iraqi soil it was already too late.
Like I said I've known the country and its people for a very very long time and one has to understand that increasing foreign military intervention is actually a factor to the problem: It is providing various radical armed factions the 'grounds' and 'purpose' for armed conflict, misguided and outrageous as they are. Take a look at what's happening there right now. i've been there: even the two bitter enemies Sunni insurgents and radical Shi'ite elements are fighting the US forces there tooth and nail, no matter what the media says, with heavy casualties in US forces and the helpless civlian population. And now Al-Qaeda has a foothold in the country because after the chaos ensuing the invasion it is now a place where they can target Americans and blow up civilians in the name of 'Jihad' against Americans and 'traitors' who 'help them',
(yes, I know that there are certain people in the Bush administration who say that Saddam Hussien was an ally of Al-Qaeda, but anyone who is familiar with the Iraqi regime before-Americans included- would tell you that this is impossible and not even worth discussing).
It's hard to say this, but I don't see any quick fix for the mess in Iraq now. Any fix is going to have be long-term, arduous, and any desire for a particular political system will have to be at least for now put aside until the basics for stability have been acheived, and I'm afraid a lot more blood has to be shed, lives lost and property destroyed before things start to improve, and for things to improve the Iraqis themselves need to follow a a self-imposed strategy of enforcing relative peace and the world community as a whole must be more active in the rehab process in a positive and not a solely military role, particularly the neighboring nations that share at least a partial understanding of Iraqis and connecting to them: You can fence yourself in, but you can't shut the entire world out. Eventually the conflict will cave from internal and external pressures ( a situation that bears several certain similiarities with what happened in Northern Ireland).
What's worrisome is that there are noises in the White House about an increase in US forces there. This has long ceased being a solely military situation and such an increase for the reasons I've stated above will only complicate the situation further. This has to stop, or Vietnam, Northen ireland and post-soviet Afghanistan will pale by comparison
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Nabi.
Iraq is a complex issue.
At the outset, while the US has gone about in a most weird gung ho manner, they cannot be faulted in what they have done since it was essential from their strategic perception, in the same way the Islamic terrorists are hard at it to prove their point!
I will confess that both the invasion of Iraq or the actions of Islamic terrorist worldwide does not warm the co_ckles of my heart!
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As far as the US is concerned, true to form, having used Saddam to suit their purpose found it prudent to dump him. On another thread (Australians are in Iraq for Oil, I think) I have appended a link on the issue of the Iraq – Iran War and why it happened! The bottomline there was OIL and the Shia Sunni rivalry wherein they were willing pawns. Now, if you Moslems can be manipulated, why blame anyone? Basically, you all are selfish and craving for power and supremacy amongst the Shia Sunni divide! So, let us not blame the US or anyone else. YOU are to blame and be courageous enough to realise and accept it so. If you look at the Islamic world, it is full of inter sectarian ‘wars’. So, you’re at fault. Stop, blaming others!
The US is in Iraq, not only for Oil, but greater strategic reasons. I have amplified on it in many a thread and so I will not do so here.
Anyone who understands Islam will realise that Saddam cannot be a friend of AQ., notwithstanding the publicity to that effect in the western media. Unfortunately, it serves the western purpose to tar Saddam as a villain (since his value for western interest had become zero, having assisted him to be a top villain).
Saddam has gone. None shed a tear and there is no requirement either. But where has it left the US? Flapping in the wind of the Sunni – Shia divide! They are supporting the Shias and at the same time getting ballistic with the Shia mentors – Iran! Don’t blame the US, they are clueless about Islam. Their experts are those who are His Master's Voice! Having you seen the logo of HMV. It is a dog sitting next to the horn of an old type of gramophone!
Surges will not help and the drawdown will be more disastrous, given the heritage bestowed by the British wherein incongruity of borders with the clans was ideal for further intervention as it is seen everywhere the British have ruled .
It is time, to hand over to some international agency which is acceptable to all concerned if some peace is desired (indeed if it is possible after all this unrivalled mess up). But then, it may not be to western interests.
So, status quo will prevail!
Also be bold enough to admit that you Moslems asked for it!
Don't cry over spilt milk!