Now that the US is in Iraq, where do we go from here?

[bfusco]

I'm posing a question to the great minds at this site. We were opposed to the war in Iraq for many reasons. We knew that the US military would probably steam roll the Iraqi army but the occupation and long-term commitment would be a mess. We knew that invading Iraq would require a long-term US presence to prevent the country from fracturing along ethnic lines, the re-construction effort would be monumental, a massive US troop presence would be required in a hostile population for years and this administration had a half assed reconstruction plan. However, the war has gone forward, our forces are in Iraq dying, electricity, water and oil are not flowing and a shattered nation is growing increasingly hostile sweltering in the 120 degree heat. What is concentrated resistance in Central Iraq may be a full blow gorilla insurgency if things don't get better real quick. The question I pose is where do we go from here? Pulling out would create a power vacuum and spiral Iraq into anarchy and chaos and most definitely involve a regional war involving Turkey and Iran. Saddam and his thugs would likely regain power in the Central region of the country. Is it time to level with Americans and admit that we need to put forth the resources to do this right? Of course this involves a massive long-term troop presence, with sacrifice in human life and tremendous tax payer expense. Does it also mean that Charlie Wrangle is right and that if we are going to continue with these adventures, it's time for the draft to be re-instated so that all Americans can realize the true price of Bush and Co's think tank theories? Is it also time to crawl back to the UN and bring a truly international force under the direction of the UN into Iraq? Should this come at the price of a formal condemnation of the US and GB by the UN for acting outside the Security Council? Has the chimp and his fellow war criminals brought themselves to such a point of humility or is it still too great of a political liability to admit what their reckless actions has created and what the real price is? I had this discussion with a friend about where we go from here and we were both at a loss. I'm interested in hearing some perspectives here.

[CWebster]

1. Byrd's response

http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0710-12.htm