I think with our without our intervention, Iraq will be the same it would have been in 10 years.
Without our help, Iraq was going to magically disband their Sunni Army and reconstruct an ethnically balance force, introduce an NCO corps, introduce provential governments, revamp it's entire federal government to a democracy? In 10 years? Not in 50 years. We did it.
Sorry, not worth 4K soldier's lives. Now we've overcommitted our forces and basically given Iran a proxy government in Iraq. Bad move. Iran always was and is more dangerous than Saddam.
In Vietnam we lost some 58,000 soldiers, I think. Worth it? I don't think so.
In WW2 we stopped aggressors and
spread democracy. We lost some 292,000 soldiers. Worth it? I do think so.
In Iraq we are
spreading democracy and shut down a tyrant and an aggressor. We've lost some 4,000 soldiers. A very small number compared to other conflicts. Saddened by their loss. But worth it? I definitely think so, and I hope all active soldiers feel the same way.
You are advocating risk that you are not willing to take yourself for objectives not in the interest of national defense.
I tried to re-up but they said I had to pass the PT test again. At 41, I am not in that kind of shape anymore. I wanted to go into Intelligence, since COIN is an Intelligence war. Maybe learn Arabic. Saabah al Khair.
Anyone that talks about putting troops in harms way is advocating risk. All that should be asked is that the objectives be in the country's interest, though not necesarily in the interest of national defense. Transforming Iraq into a democracy is in the country's interest.
It is in our interest for more than just internally seeing Iraq a democracy, and getting rid of Saddam. It is the impact Iraq will have regionally that makes it particularly geopolitically important. We see some of what is happening in Iran recently. Basically a power struggle between groups of clerics. This is because of Iran. So not only is Iran influencing events in Iraq, but Iraq is influencing events in Iran. It is the Quietist School gaining influence in Qom.
Of course. Soldiers follow orders, regardless of whether we agree with them or believe in them.
I would hope that enough perspectives of the world are discussed with soldiers, so that they can find that belief. Are you active? Are you in or heading to Iraq or AFG? Your service means a lot to me. At least some brave men and women are willing to serve.
Afghanistan worries me. Iraq is doing well, I think. Waiting for negotiations to complete on the election law regarding Kirkuk and the "Open Lists".