Have we overstayed our welcome in Iraq?

Question

Since Iraq is now a Sovereign nation, a Democratic society, shouldn't we leave it up to THEM to decide whether we stay or leave?
It could be easily done with a simple referendum that they could vote on such as: "Do you want the US to continue their military presence in Iraq?" "Yes or No". If they vote "No" we begin immediate withdrawal. If "Yes" we plan a slow withdrawal.

Don't you think it should be up to the Iraqui people to decide?

CVQ - How do we know that?

But Freakzilla, what I'm saying is shouldn't we respect the people who we've freed by listening to them an abiding by their wishes?

Answer 1

I heard a poll the other day in the news that said cities under control of the U.S. forces appreciate our presence but areas of difficulty where we don't appear to have the resources to do the job we're there for want us to leave, as our presence becomes a target for terrorism. It's a delicate balance... what truly happens if we pull out entirely? What happens to all the good we've accomplished (and there is plenty, despite the media skepticism)?

Look at it this way, if a ship capsized and you had a boat only capable to save 20% of the crew, would you save who you could or would you let them all drown to be fair?

It's a tough decision but I believe it really comes down to that!

Answer 2

I would say so.

They keep saying we have to stay on until they can sufficiently build up their military. But a recent poll says that young men in Iraq are unwilling to join the military as long as the Americans are there. I think it's time to acknowledge the catch-22 and make the Iraqis tough out the transition instead of us.

Either that or we need a US administration that will be a bit more open and forthcoming about goals & progress. Just their obsessive secretiveness alone would be enough to undermine any effort to recruit a new Iraqi army even if everything else in the rebuilding was going like gangbusters. If you don't report progress - specific progress, not just a vague claim to be making progress - you might as well not be making any.

Answer 3

NO

I think it is the job of the Iraqi Government to have
discussions with our US Government and decide
what the future will look like as far as US Troop
committments are concerned. And, to that end,
numerous meetings have already been held and
will continue to be held. It is not practical at this
point to do anything except try to keep the peace.

For some reason it was decided not to disarm the militias in Iraq. We are paying the massive price for that decision now.

A far better idea would be to change the dress code
in Iraq from those flowing robes to shorts and tee
shirts. It is pretty hard to hide a rifle and grenades,
or a human bomb kit under a tee shirt. Maybe if you
suggested that you could get a lot of positive help
from families of our enlisted men who are possible
future victims of the human bombers and hidden guns.

While I understand your interest in getting our boys home and agree with the sentiment, I do not think it is a good
idea to walk out now for any reason. Why on earth would you want to hand the extremeists a victory. Do you want to tell those 3000 valient souls who fought for victory that "you've had enough," so we're going home. I don't.

Answer 4

for sure they might desire to police themselves; the project is, Iraq is woefully no longer able to police itself. If it have been, we does no longer be there anymore--it extremely is the element we try to get to. Leaving early extremely isn't someway going to "motivate" them to awaken and shelter themselves, like a super form of persons here seem to think of. If we pull out in develop, previously Iraq is able to holding, protecting, and policing itself, lots greater each and every physique is going to die than have died there interior the previous 4 years, no question. all of it boils right down to regardless of in case you enable political peer stress to be certain subjects for you, or regardless of in case you have self assurance in ending the interest properly, regardless of if the situations that have been given us there have been incorrect. you could debate the U. S. get entry to right into a war with Iraq all you pick for, yet that became 4 years in the past. that's a distinctive conflict now with thoroughly distinctive issues, and prefer it or no longer, we are THERE... and we've an felony accountability to those human beings and to ourselves and our very own destiny to end the interest and do it perfect, rather of copping out.

Answer 5

we are there to help them build a government and gain control so we can be safe in america . the decision to leave should be based on the threat still there regardless what the people there say , if we left it would be like helping them and not completing our goal which would make all those deaths worthless

Answer 6

Yes. Many soldiers have gotten hostility from just civilians.

Answer 7

Well you'd think so... but come on. Who knows better what is good for you and me and everyone else than the US Government?

Answer 8

Its the Iraqi Government that is begging us to stay. Don't believe all the lies you hear in the liberal press

Answer 9

The people we are aiding and protecting don't want us to leave.

Answer 10

It doesn't matter what we think, its up to those fools in the White house.