Comments on: An Assessment Of Iraq http://themoderatevoice.com/14930/an-assessment-of-iraq/ An Internet hub with domestic and international news, analysis, original reporting, and popular features from the left, center, indies, centrists, moderates, and right Mon, 28 May 2012 03:44:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: domajot http://themoderatevoice.com/14930/an-assessment-of-iraq/comment-page-1/#comment-97415 domajot Wed, 05 Sep 2007 05:47:07 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/media/blogging/14930/an-assessment-of-iraq/#comment-97415 "So when the history of the war is written, the section on mismanagement will contain a political component as well" I agree completely. “So when the history of the war is written, the section on mismanagement will contain a political component as well”

I agree completely.

]]> By: jdledell http://themoderatevoice.com/14930/an-assessment-of-iraq/comment-page-1/#comment-97394 jdledell Tue, 04 Sep 2007 23:20:46 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/media/blogging/14930/an-assessment-of-iraq/#comment-97394 Joe - This is the essence of the problem - framing Iraq as an either or situation. Both Republicans and Democrats have been guilty of this false dicotomy. What needs to happen is a phased withdrawal over an 18 month period with a framework in place with the countries in the region all in agreement. This means the US and Iraq (Sunni and Shia) are going to have to sit down at a big table with Iran, Saudia Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Kuwait, and the Kurds. We have to reach agreement on what responsibilities each party has in the future. We will probably have to provide both Syria and Iran guarantees that we will not try to overthrow their regimes. Maybe we can combine these talks with nuclear non-proliferation as part of the Grand Bargain. All this has to be enshrined in a United Nations binding resolution with money, responsibilities etc ALL spelled out in great detail. This is the only way we can withdraw with some honor and hope to prevent the inevitable bloodshed. This may or may not involve UN peace keepers. The Bush Admin hopes that somehow we can find a formula for a US victory is wishful and irresponsible thinking at it's worst. Democrat hopes that a forced and quick withdrawal will prove that Iraq was a Bush Folly and forever tarnish his reputation is also wishful and irresponsible thinking. We have proven we are incapable by ourselves of fixing Iraq decently. It is only when we enlist the support of Iraq's neighbors and the rest of the world will this nightmare end for us and more importantly for Iraqis. I don't want to hear about not sitting down with evil people in Iran and Syria. If Iraq is ever going to be a functioing and responsible state, it will not do so without the cooperation (even if grudging) of it's neighbors. To all Republicans and Democrats - it's time to get pragmatic and fix the problem and end the suffering of the Iraqi people. Joe – This is the essence of the problem – framing Iraq as an either or situation. Both Republicans and Democrats have been guilty of this false dicotomy. What needs to happen is a phased withdrawal over an 18 month period with a framework in place with the countries in the region all in agreement.

This means the US and Iraq (Sunni and Shia) are going to have to sit down at a big table with Iran, Saudia Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Kuwait, and the Kurds. We have to reach agreement on what responsibilities each party has in the future. We will probably have to provide both Syria and Iran guarantees that we will not try to overthrow their regimes. Maybe we can combine these talks with nuclear non-proliferation as part of the Grand Bargain.

All this has to be enshrined in a United Nations binding resolution with money, responsibilities etc ALL spelled out in great detail. This is the only way we can withdraw with some honor and hope to prevent the inevitable bloodshed. This may or may not involve UN peace keepers.

The Bush Admin hopes that somehow we can find a formula for a US victory is wishful and irresponsible thinking at it’s worst. Democrat hopes that a forced and quick withdrawal will prove that Iraq was a Bush Folly and forever tarnish his reputation is also wishful and irresponsible thinking.

We have proven we are incapable by ourselves of fixing Iraq decently. It is only when we enlist the support of Iraq’s neighbors and the rest of the world will this nightmare end for us and more importantly for Iraqis. I don’t want to hear about not sitting down with evil people in Iran and Syria. If Iraq is ever going to be a functioing and responsible state, it will not do so without the cooperation (even if grudging) of it’s neighbors.

To all Republicans and Democrats – it’s time to get pragmatic and fix the problem and end the suffering of the Iraqi people.

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