Is the U.S. headed for defeat in Iraq?

Question

Alberto Fernandez, director of public diplomacy in the State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, told al-Jazeera on October 22 that the world was “witnessing failure in Iraq.” “I think there is great room for strong criticism, because without doubt, there was arrogance and stupidity by the United States in Iraq,” said Fernandez.

Bush has tried to shrug off the bad news. Asked in mid-October about the rising U.S. casualty rate, Bush responded that this was because “we’re on the move...we’re taking action, we’re helping this young democracy succeed.”

But behind the scenes, the bipartisan Iraq Study Group--convened by Bush family fixer James Baker at Bush’s request--is preparing a report on alternative strategies. Though the report is due to be released after the November elections, leaks to the media suggest that Baker is preparing to “provide camouflage for changing direction,” according to analyst Steven Clemons.

U.S. officials claim that withdrawal would lead to a civil war, but the truth is that the U.S. presence is driving the violence and conflict in Iraq.

Answer 1

Hmm, I have heard that you have an exit strategy or exit plan for a business that is starting to become unprofitable, but in this case it's more that it's time for someone else to take over a business or a government which is supposed to be profitable for everyone. I actually think we should send the troops home to the U.S. before Christmas, and see how the government there can do on its own. If it erupts into worse civil war again, then I would feel justified in sending in a large international force of say 300,000 troops or more. But I don't think it should be the Americans' job to support this long-term with the sheer number of troops who are there right now. I don't want to see something unspeakable happen to other soldiers like what happened to Thomas Tucker and Kristian Mendaka. Iraq may need a stricter force to keep order, but the people have to decide to turn in anyone they know who keeps engaging in terrorism. They ought to require permits for any weapons or else confiscate them - anything larger than a slingshot, I mean.

Answer 2

The answer to that depends on who you ask and how you ask it.

This question has been asked since the Iraq front opened and no one has an answer yet that cannot be debated.

The answer does not lie with who controls what in Washington. The answer lies within the will of the Iraqi people to forge their own fate if you look at the provinces of Iraq total less than a third of them have any insurgent action going on at this time. Does anyone think the Iraqi people actually want more bloodshed?

Be wary of what politicians or pundits will tell you because they're trying to sell you their party mentality. Do your own research based on factual statistics not what someone else is trying to sell you.

If US troops withdraw then civil war is certain because the current Iraqi government is ill prepared to take on such a circumstance. That's not party posturing that is simple logic.

No sane person wants a civil war in Iraq because many innocents will perish who simply wish to be left alone and anyone who wants the US to fail in Iraq simply to see the Republicans humiliated or to see Bush fail needs to take a long look in the mirror. Because wishing for such a misfortune to fall upon these people so your own political gain can be accomplished is an ultimate act of evil and inhuman by nature.

Perhaps some reading of George Washington's Farewell Address would benefit every American.

Answer 3

I don't think many Americans have to political will to continue on with this thing. Its a genuine mystery why we ever went in in the first place and certainly this war is un winnable.
Headed for defeat ? In Iraq? We went long beyond that threshold into a no win scenereo. Now its just matter of time, lives, and money before we pack up and leave. I just hope certain people from the middle east are not seeking revenge.

Answer 4

First of all, I do not see the reasons why we need to intervene with other countries' politics when they weren't asking for help. Second of all, our goal in Iraq has shifted from looking for massive destruction weapons, to hunting down terrorists, and now we are there to help building a democracy, which needs hundreds of years to establish. I do not see an end in Iraq. Lastly, I do not see the war benefiting us at all. Many might argue that we haven't been attacked ever since we are in war. It is a hypothetical assumption, nothing really supports it. I can say that the terrorists run out of money for the time being. I do agree that we have the best of everything in the world, is that the reason why our government try to take it all away from us by building up all kinds of opposition in today's world.

Answer 5

Defeat will only come if it is because of a loss of political will to stay. USA has proven throughout this war that it cannot lose a battle militarily, but it can lose on the political front.
Wars are never easy and never fought without bloodshed.

Answer 6

yes - its too costly like Nam - democrats are comming into power soon and will do a rearguard action - I predict there will be few us troops in iraq if a democrat gets into power as the us president. Within a year or so most of the troops will be home. ITs just gonna go on forever like Nam. So what if you kill lots of them. In nam there were over 3 million NVA and Charlies and civies dead - and the us still withdrew with the loss of 58 000 G.I's . They will fight and die forever like the viet cong did

Answer 7

What's funny is a civil war is already happening with us being there we are not closer to peace in Iraq from when we first started. These people don't think twice about dying this is what they live for and what they are taught from a young age to die in the name of Allah!

Answer 8

Depends on what your definition of the word "is" is. (heard that somewheres :)

The problem is that the same things will happen in Iraq regardless of when we leave. And that is exactly what makes it another Vietnam

I have to wonder if it isn't better to take our lumps now, and not waste anymore human resources.

Answer 9

Yes, but it will be spun into a victory on Fox news. Or they'll blame Bill Clinton.

Answer 10

Defeat was certain from the word go
It is only a matter of time
Sad but true
I fear for what will follow though