Malchik Posted March 17, 2004 Share Posted March 17, 2004 The views of the forum on the legality/morality of the invasion of Iraq are discussed elsewhere. The point I seek others' views on is purely economic. One purpose behind the invasion (let's not get involved in where on the priorities) was the US's wish to secure the Iraqi oil fields. Had peace come to the country after the toppling of Saddam Hussein's regime, then a pull out by armed forces would have been possible. However this has not occurred and the planned handover to Iraqi control seems less and less likely to be practical. Were the war ideological, as in the case of Vietnam, the US could throw in the towel with little more than some loss of face and a bit of explaining to do to the electorate. However if these oil fields are as strategic to the US economy as the government seems to think, it is difficult to see them being able to withdraw. What do those of the US (and the rest of the world) with informed opinions feel are the US's options while no stable government in Iraq exists? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakkara Posted March 17, 2004 Share Posted March 17, 2004 They will chicken out and shove the burden to the UN, let the others do their dirty work to clean up the mess they made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Argoren Posted March 17, 2004 Share Posted March 17, 2004 I don't think they will leave too soon. It's not only 'bout the oil fields (which turned out to have much less oil than the US government expected), but also about the huge necessary investments in Iraq. After bombing a whole country like that most parts of the infra structure are destroyed, some may have been in a very bad condition before, of course. The US economy needs those immense orders to recover a little - at least for a while.I also believe they aren't too disappointed they don't have to share those with too many competative companies from the 'against-war countries'. :whistling: And how many Iraqi are given jobs for the reconstruction? The only thing they seem to be good enough for the man in power is for the 'police', which appears to be more like cannon fodder than anything else! Nevertheless - in the end the reconstruction may be an expensive prestige affair for the US people, but it surely will be a lucrative matter for a hand full ( one could start a poll how high the percentage may be within the US government ). The 'loss of face' thing would be desastroes to Bush, for a changed government - let's see... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breton Thief Oriana Posted March 17, 2004 Share Posted March 17, 2004 Well see....when kerry beats bush, well see.......... [high hopes] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wesaynothin Posted March 18, 2004 Share Posted March 18, 2004 I doubt it. Jr. wants to be like his big 'ol tough daddy (hopefully follow in suit and not get elected again), and won't pull out till He's got what he wants. Unless Cheney has some hidden plan (which we all know Bush will follow), the soliders, and juicy contracts for Haliburton, will stay in Iraq. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vandorssen Posted March 18, 2004 Share Posted March 18, 2004 If we (the US) do what is now in our best interest, as well as the best interest of all those involved, we will not fully pull out... At least not yet. If we do what is responsible and ultimately right, we will seek the support of the UN and allow them to take over as they see fit. In that way, we will be able to remove a great majority of our troops as a truly international coalition moves in. If we simply abandon Iraq to its own devices, we will have another president (King George the Third Bush) with a doctrine of preemption going to invade it yet again. What Iraq needs right now is a program similar to the Marshall plan in Europe after WWII: A comprehensive rebuilding of infrastructure and a sincere commitment to leave Iraq in a better place than it was before the war. We have failed to do so in Afghanistan, and they are now in a precarious position. Unfortunately, the majority of US news sources have chosen to overlook this little detail. Even some of the more radical Iraqi hardliners see that, at the moment, they need us (or someone with authority) there to keep order. And remember the lesson of Rome; they spread their military far and thin, leaving Rome at the mercy of the real barbarians. For a nation obsessed with “national security”, we are dangerously close to the same situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zmid Posted March 18, 2004 Share Posted March 18, 2004 My own view is that we (Britain and America) should never have gone in, at least not for the reasons given, but now that we have, we can't leave until Iraq is safe and secure. My main concern at the moment is that it appears that the Iraqis are being side-lined in this process and given no real power in their own country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hayabusa Posted March 18, 2004 Share Posted March 18, 2004 I think if we`re in, we cannot make the withdraw without giving up. If we entered it, we should lave the country stable and safe. It could stabilize the region and be an example it IS possible to build democracy in the East. What makes me worried is the situation on Spain - having won the ellection, the socialists want to withdraw the Spanish units from Iraq. They can do it but it would mean the terrorists managed to achieve their goal. This could be disastrous example for the close future. If you show them you`re weak, they won`t stop attacking you. Huh, both great Revolutions, the French and the Russian succeded and ended with terror because the Ancient regime was in both cases weak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ancalagon Posted March 18, 2004 Share Posted March 18, 2004 Well, one thing is certain. WE are comitted to Iraq, so we very well can't leave, now can we? I mean, it would be the pinnacle of irresponsibility to abandon Iraq right now. The people calling for a full return of the troops from Iraq are insane and incredibly stupid (no flame intended, just my opinion). I disagree with the War in general and was one of the few who spoke out against it in my area of residence when we decided to go to war. But the fact is, we can't pull out now, we're in too deep and the people of Iraq are relying upon us to help them. They may be able to handle things themselves, but if we leave a coup could be staged and the new leaders could be just as corrupt if not worse than the old regime. It's a sensitive task and a time consuming one to boot. It angered me that some of the Senators against the war were yelping about 'Are we done yet and can we go home?' How foolish and ignorant of the ways of Warfare they are. I am no Westpoint grad, but I can understand a thing or two about the nuiances of War and Country rebuilding. I would also request that the Bush Administration read the Sun Tzu. It may help them next time they wage war <_< Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drowst Posted March 22, 2004 Share Posted March 22, 2004 About leaving? Well, lemme see, we are still in Korea, we aren't in Vietnam, we are still in Kosovo/Bosnia, we had a significant presence in various Gulf states after the first Gulf War, we had and in some cases still have a significant presence in European states since WW II, still folks in Japan and various spots in South America. If you read the tea leaves, US forces will be in Iraq for a long time. You'll see a reduction over time, but don't be surprised if they are there 10 years or more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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