What Iraq options do you favor???

IMHO, the real reason the USA can't disengage from Iraq is its imperialistic/economic ambitions. The concern for the future safety of the Iraqi people is just a cover.

I submit this poll to see how many of us buy the current foreign policy agenda of our politicians. I wish I could remember the quote from Mark Twain about politicians and war. I think it would be apt at this point.

This is the really big elephant in the front room. The only way the situation settles down is if the US backs out as gracefully as they can, and leaves the Iraqis to their democratic fate.

That requires a complete withdrawal of troops and letting the UN back in to oversee open elections. The UN won't be trusted until American troops are 100% gone. The UN would also have to completely disavow the US plan for privatization of the country and administer the rebuilding funds itself.

That won't happen, and that's why there are so many legal gymnastics going on by Bremer and his crew. They can't affirm that US troops will leave when the contractors for the US are busy building fourteen-odd bases, nor can the US maintain any posture of credibility if they want to hang on to the privatization plan while at the same time the UN is solely responsible for administration of the rebuilding funds.

The Bushies want their cake, and eat it, too, and as all of us know, that's not based in reality.

unless member nations provide them. Who in their right mind would send their troops to Iraq? (bush is not in his right mind) The coalition is a joke.

... there would be a much greater willingness for member nations to supply troops, and if there were assurances that the UN was in control and proceeding toward open election, fewer troops would be necessary because they would be doing police duties.

Ask yourself why that wasn't done in the first place? It wasn't because of that previously-described elephant. The US wanted troops in the region on a permanent basis and wanted a free ride for US corporations. Take those two elements out of the equation, and the results in Iraq likely would have been radically different than what we are experiencing now.

Should still happen, but can't until those two conditions are removed from the country.

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I believe that as long as the USA has ANYTHING to do with the internal affairs of Iraq now, that anybody working with them is a target.

To the Iraqis, anyone working with the USA is just as bad as the USA, and will be a target.

Already they have targeted the Spanish and the Japanese.

Yes, there will be a power struggle when the USA pulls out, and they DO have to pull out sooner or later, so why wait?

There is always the possibility and I think a GOOD possibility that the Iraqis will accept assistance and guidance from others, but it will be ANYBODY but the USA,

Remember, the Iraqis are quite aware that the USA targeted the power stations, communication systems and so on, but protected the OIL fields quite well from the beginning.

NO good will come of a prolonged stay by the USA

BUT,

I think the USA will stay,

regardless

(sigh)

...tossing about what we should do with Iraq. What WE should do? It's THEIR country...WE shouldn't do anything with Iraq except send them food and medication maybe - that and stop killing them. It should be clear to everyone by now that we have just plunged their already ravaged country into the dark ages. I don't think they need any more "help" from us.
Carol

they will slaughter each other, right? I'm no middle east expert, but it is my understanding that the Sunis, Kurds and Shia (sp?) all hate each other. That's why Saddam was a good thing, he kept the country stable.

Oh, and then the other countries in the region invade and the whole region erupts into war, eventually spreading to Europe. Pretty soon you've got World War III. That's why this invasion ws such a bad idea in the first place ... among other reasons.

If we pull out there will be mass genocides. The situation has gotten to the point that no other country on earth wants to get involved. The whole are would be de-stabilised until Israel decides to take God up on the Land deed all the way to the euphrates.

edited to correct spelling on genocide.