The Current Status of the Conflict in Iraq

[Geoffrey S]

Iraq is a case of 'we're damned if we do, damned if we don't'. If we pull out right now (or within one year's time) without some kind of guarantee that ensures that Iraq's security forces can provide some semblance of stability the entire region will turn into a free-for-all and is guaranteed to go up in flames. The criticism leveled at the US for abandoning the region will go from a whistling tea kettle to a to frothing, boiling cauldron. Syrian, Turkish & Iranian intrigues will come into play and play havoc with Iraq in their bid to exploit it for their own purposes. Al Qaeda will use the ensuing chaos to regain a large foothold and the remaining nations in the region will all do their part to get a piece of the pie.

Criticism be damned. While not supporting an illegitimate war I can understand, if this ship sinks, it is just as much due to inaction on the part of almost the entire Western world - stepping beyond an 'I told you so' mentality was clearly something most so-called allies of the US were incapable of.

The US government made huge mistakes in attempting to restructure Iraq, but there was no reason for the rest to take the initial unilateral approach as a permanent given.

I know what your saying, your just not backing it up with any fact other then your opinion on what they believe to be relevant or irrelevant.

Try, generally closed borders and a lack of support for, and even opposition to, homegrown Palestinian organizations over the last few decades.

I understand what your saying, but it dosent support or deny the argument of able to defend and prevent, its conjecture. on the other hand the examples I have given are facts to support my claim that israel can enact the airstrike, its more then my opinion.

I am not supporting or denying the argument of being able to defend, attack or whatever - simply saying that the examples you did give are not applicable in trying to argue either way.

But this is clearly going in circles. I'd prefer to let someone else untangle this.