Other than occupying the country and controlling the government and the military, how can we declare "victory"? Obviously a significant number of Iraqis are intent on killing each other as soon as they get the chance, so how is a bloodbath to be avoided? Do we have enough powerful allies there to keep the country in our camp? How can we remove all U.S. troops without the country destroying itself in sectarian bloodshed? To all of you who believe this war is just and essential and winable, what would it take to end it? Please be specific and realistic in your goals, as I am at a loss for an answer.
2006-10-24 10:56:00 · 11 answers · asked by answermann 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Still no real answer. We are not fighting "the terrorists"(whoever they are) in Iraq- our forces are being attacked and killed by the people who live there- the Iraqis. When you invade a country and topple their government the population of that country becomes your enemy. We appear to be trying to save Iraq from... the Iraqis! If we are fighting a small number of "terrorists", shouldn't the vast majority of peace-loving Iraqis have taken control by now? It's been three years! Again I ask- what is "victory" in this situation?
2006-10-25 10:29:12 · update #1
During the Vietnam War, a senator offered this solution to that unwinnable war that applies to this war in Iraq, equally unwinnable. "Just say we won and come home." The longer we stay the more blood and valuable resources will be thrown away into a bottomless pit. It takes character and wisdom to admit you were wrong, and do we ever need to do this now. Every day we stay longer will only lead to more anti-american feeling round the world, more "terrorists" joiniing up, more debt for the US, more deaths and injury for brave young men and women, etc. And if we stay the defeat will only taste worse down the road. It is a hard lesson, but it is far better to take this medicine now, before the sickness gets terminal.
2006-10-24 11:05:06 · answer #1 · answered by michaelsan 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I see Victory in Iraq as All US troops home. The Iraqi government is able to continue to function and maintain control of there country in a democratic fashion. Iraq is able to prosper and have Peace. Thats what I see as a Victory in Iraq. Now can that happen I don't know but thats another question anyway.
2006-10-24 11:08:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess my question would be, are we serving any real purpose there at this point? And, is US intelligence sufficient to keep obviously likely acts of terrorism from happening here? In other words- if our intelligence people are doing their job, and the right people are authorized to take action at the appropriate time, and those in power are listening, then do we have a good chance of keeping terrorists at bay? Because I feel the real war is wherever we are being stupid and unprepared. I am so against more bloodshed because of greed and arrogance- but am also at a loss for the answers.
2006-10-24 11:57:09 · answer #3 · answered by catarina 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We can give all of the military and humanitarian support we can muster to Iraq - but it is ultimately up to the Iraqi people to stand up and fight for their rights and freedoms.
We have given them the opportunity to form a government that answers to the people - if they squander this opportunity, we have lost. If they take this opportunity and form a legitimate government that the people actually have a say in, we have won.
I believe that within a year, the results of all of our efforts and sacrifice will be clearly known - either they control their own destiny, or the terrorists will be back in power - stronger and more confident than ever of the success of their tactics of murder and maiming innocent men, women and children.
If we lose this war - it seems inevitable that we will have to fight them again - it is highly unlikely that the terrorists will abandon their tactics if they are successful.
2006-10-24 11:32:18 · answer #4 · answered by LeAnne 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Iraq needs to be safer and more secure than it was under Saddam with less violence and more freedom. Leaving the country better than we found it is the only way to achieve victory. I wish this was realistic, but the Republicans have bungled things so badly I do not think that is any longer achievable.
2006-10-24 11:01:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
MY Terms for Victory:
1) Defeat Saddam.
Done.
2) Install a new Government.
Done.
3) See that the new government be stable enough to maintain its own security and day to day national operations.
Incomplete.
2006-10-24 11:00:31 · answer #6 · answered by sjsosullivan 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
the U. S. and uk have become the lion percentage to rebuild the Iraq which they state hasn't been carried out because insurgents shop blowing up the homes. yet at the same time as is the perfect time a civilian replaced into suggested killen in Iraq?
2016-12-05 04:44:01 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Impossible. Yet another failure of the Bush Administration. An ILLEGAL war that cannot be won.
2006-10-24 11:08:12 · answer #8 · answered by Tommy D 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Whatever the government tells us it is...
Declare victory and get out.
2006-10-24 11:00:34 · answer #9 · answered by kingstubborn 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would consider a US victory one in which the terrorists sustained a crippling blow that even they couldn't "spin."
We cannot let them claim a victory, is the real answer. The reason is that a victory for them, over there, results in emboldening the terrorists to bring their killing fields over here...
2006-10-24 11:00:18 · answer #10 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋