Has anyone thought about what losing the war in Iraq would mean for the US?

Question

I am seeing lots of people in both parties who are opposed to this war. I was opposed to going into this war, knowing that Americans have a different value on life than the radical muslim terrorists.

Does the fact that we are in this war and must either win or lose occur to anyone?

Does anyone think that personal opinions about Bush are even relevant to this question?

What do you think? Anyone?

Answer 1

We cannot afford for IRAQ to lose this war, as it is their government's war now, more than America's. Over 60% of Iraqis wanted Saddam Hussein brought on international criminal charges for a variety of transgressions against nations and individuals, crimes that he is answering to today.

Iraq is always going to be Iraq's problem. If the US bows to internal and international pressure to exit Iraq prematurely, then Iran will hold even more influence on the fledgling government there, and will soon come to the aid of President Talabani and PM Maliki, with weapons, forces and cash, to route out the remaining Sunni influence in the central and southern areas of Iraq. Kurds will further consolidate their power and create a new Kurdistan and this will then be opposed by Turkey and Syria and you will have a regional intrafaith conflict (Sunnis vs. Shi'ites, secular governments vs. sharia governments).

The US will be there for a long time, and the forces may even double before it's all said and done. This new war (civil strife) must be contained, by Iraqi forces predominantly. And then the US can begin unwinding itself. If they choose not to defend their own country and quash the internal strife, I see nothing wrong with a permanent US military presence in that nation, as it acts as a deterrent to the freakshow to the east (Iraq).

Saddam's been arrested, the people have voted in a predominantly Shi'ite government, the Sunnis and Shi'ites hate each other and are airing out grievances and we've lost unfortunately, about 3000 men in 3 1/2 years. This is tragic for the families and tragic for the spouses and parents who sent these men and women to war. In a broader perspective, about 500,000 Americans died in the 3 1/2 years of WW2. This country needs to find its backbone and fast, otherwise we'll all be shark bait, and in the NOT so distant future.

Answer 2

Yes I have thought about it.
I believe that if we loose, or if we cut and run it will spell disaster for the U.S. I say this because of the following reasons.
If we loose or if we cut and run it will embolden the fundamentalist Islamic terrorists. In Somalia, 1993 we killed over 2,000 muslim supporters of Aidid (a terrorist) in Mogadishu. We lost 18 and two Blackhawk helicopters, and under pressure, then President Clinton pulled the Army out. The Somalis called it a victory, and UBL has referenced the battle of Mogadishu stating that America does not have the will to win, and if he and his terrorists can drag this war on, and cause enough American casualties then eventually the American public will loose the will to win, and will withdraw from Iraq and Afghanistan. This would again be considered a victory by the Muslim terrorists, and would have the effect that the battle of Mogadishu had (emboldening the terrorists) but on a much larger scale. Emboldened terrorists would be much more willing to launch attacks on American soil, and on American interests, and more people would be willing to support them as they would believe that the terrorists have already defeated the "great Satan" twice. America must win the war on terror.
Personal opinions about President Bush are irrelevant. However some could legitimately question President Bush's policies in waging this war, as well as other things.

Answer 3

Shouldn't we have asked this ? beforehand? Treating this ? as an afterthought is reprehensible!

Please define 'win' and define 'lose' respectively. Yes, it may be difficult considering that the reasons given for the war have morphed repeatedly.

Personal opinions about Bush, hopefully based on informed, objective, and rational assessment of his performance, or lack thereof, are relevant as well as a constitutionally protected right! Moreover, voicing our opinions, regardless of what they may be, are equally protected. The relevance exists in being able to have and voice our opinions w/out fear or constraint.

Unfortunately, the real tragedy about your question is that it illustrates the reactive instead of the proactive policies of this administration. An educated/informed/involved populace would have asked beforehand: 'Why are we going to war w/Iraq? And, what would this war mean for the U.S.?' Again, it's a little bit late to be asking your question! It's reminiscent of the Katrina response. When will this nation finally grow tired of cleaning up mistake after mistake?; especially when we realize how avoidable these mistakes were.

Hindsight really is 20/20! I guess it's better than blind obedience though!

Answer 4

We've already lost this war according to the world. First of all, it is not a legitimate war and every other country knows it. We are just stirring up a hornets nest and making it easier for Iran to take over Iraq in the future enlarging their territory. We will now forever be know as invaders and losers. What I hate most of all is we've lost some wonderful American Soldiers in this way for no reason. It was not their fault and they were valiant, but they are gone nonetheless. I also feel the pain of all the citizens of Iraq who were killed for a war not of their making. This is not the America I always knew and loved. We are in a devastating situation. I agee that it is like Vietnam.

Answer 5

Most people will never know what this war is about, and neither will their kids. It's a shame that so many good men died for a few to gain wealth and power. God bless their souls. And Bush will get his deserved punishment, God willing, in the afterlife, for those who believe in judgement. And I wonder why you use the word terrorist when we're the ones in their country. I'd say the real terrorists are the Zionists and Free Masons setting up for the NWO. Peace be with you all.

Answer 6

Losing this war would mean an end to it. Any way to cut a dead loss of cash and lives with no return would be a great deal for this country. We have lost 1/3 trillion dollars on this crooked mess. About as many US citizens have lost their lives as did on 9/11.

Answer 7

We've already lost this war, I'm sorry to say. This is due to no strategic planning on this Administration's part.

Iraq is still not rebuilt-they have no running water, electricity, or modern conveniences in many places. Schools have not been rebuilt. There isn't enough food, either.

There is no stable government or police enforcement, either.

So where did all of those billions of dollars go, besides the pockets of the no-bid contractors?

Answer 8

... I think Iraq is VASTLY OVER RATED as far as importance... we lost Vietnam and it didn't make a diddly poo bit of difference to anything but the poor folks in S. Vietnam... but we never cared about them in the beginning anyway...

the terrorists have Pakistan, Sudan, Somalia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Syria and probably Iran... they are doing all the want there now... there's no reason for them to really move to Iraq when they have all the room they need...

the terrorists just want to play up Iraq to keep us busy and out of their hair... while we're in Iraq, we aren't getting in their way.... and all they have to do is send a low level teen who they just pulled off the street into Iraq with a bomb on him every week or so to keep us in Iraq....

Answer 9

Honestly the only ones that would feel a great loss would be corporate America. The winner for best documentary at the Tribecca film festival was a film made by soldiers currently fighting in Iraq...they stated..."Our primary goal is not to maintain any democracy....our daily and primary goal is to protect halliburton projects/interest." I worry every time we go to war because our nations strongest asset (our military) gets used as tools for corporate America and are therefore expendable.
General Smedly Butler (2 time winner of the congressional medal of honor) stated...........
"I spent 33 years and four months in active military service and during that period I spent most of my time as a high class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism. I helped make Mexico and especially Tampico safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. I helped purify Nicaragua for the International Banking House of Brown Brothers in 1902–1912. I brought light to the Dominican Republic for the American sugar interests in 1916. I helped make Honduras right for the American fruit companies in 1903. In China in 1927 I helped see to it that Standard Oil went on its way unmolested."

Answer 10

It isn't about winning or losing, its about helping Iraq achieve a democratic government, but i do agree that this is another Vietnam and we should cut our losses and let Iraq and all these other countries fight their own battles and stop trying to be the world's police in the name of freeing people from tyrannical governments.