The General says we need more troops in Iraq. What do we tell him?

Question

The general says more troops needed. That our forces are designed to be an invading force not an occupying one. We need more troops. The Powell docrine states the use of overwhelming force. Are all the reservists out there ready to go? Shouldn't we start the draft to make sure our generals have what they need? Or should we withdraw? Do you like your options?

Answer 1

Experience is based on trial, failure and success. The invasion of Germany during the Second World War was an overwhelming success despite the losses on the allied forces. It was an invasion of purpose and it’s after effects changed the world for the better.

The invasion of Iraq on the other hand was ill timed, ill prepared, ill advised and mired in controversy from the onset.

This invasion unlike the first one did not involve the strategic neighbors from the beginning.

There was no focus on the invasion or planning for the aftermath as no suitable regime replacement that would be acceptable by the now divided populace was identified - There is a void that can not be filled.

Iraq will inevitably have to be split, in order to be governable. That is the only option to correct America's blunder- (Shite and Sunni Iraq).

Just like what Vietnam did for the American leadership of the time, Iraq will be President Bush's dark legacy. Let us just hope Iraq will not be to America as Afghanistan was to the former USSR. (USSR end was accelerated by the Afghanistan invasion and defeat).

Answer 2

The decent thing would be to withdraw, but after having worked so hard to get a civil war going, and having built several long-term military bases already, no-one is going to admit this.
Unless the US army manages to occupy - and "pacify" - all the neighbouring countries as well, there is no way this war will end any time soon, with or without more troups.
The US as a nation are being impoverished by this war, and only very few are benefitting.
Sadly, this seems not to be very widespread knowledge in the US, if you look at your answers.

Answer 3

I would rather withdraw and "lose" than have a draft enacted. No one wants a draft, and there is no way a draft will ever be enacted.

I do believe we need a phased withdrawal. The Iraqi's need to fend for themselves. We can't hold their hands forever, and the longer we do, the more dependent they'll become on us. And the longer we stay, the more they start to hate us, and the shorter time it will be until the Iraqi military looses any footing they currently have.

Answer 4

DRAFT!!!!!! Overwelming force is the only way to win against these insurgents and avoid this being another Vietnam and go in and make it so entirely impossible to NOT WIN.. and make it impossible for Al-Queda to do anything but Die or Leave.
I have been saying that since the beginning of the war, while realizing I have two sons draft age and I would be proud to send them. Even if it meant delaying College for awhile. Yes, they might die over there and so did our Fathers, Grandfather, Great Grandfathers while fighting in Vietnam, Korea, and on the Beaches of Normandy and the Foothills of Tennessee in 1864 and in many other wars at home and abroad. Everyone used to respect America, now many of our own citizens don't....

Answer 5

Rumsfeld became all about his ideas for a protection rigidity deployment. He idea he might want to benefit the no longer attainable with a small rigidity. a piece of writing I study in stressed out mag compared his and his protection rigidity planner's attitude to Walmart. each person with a mind, or perhaps this armchair quarterback, knew that stabilizing Iraq became going to require a huge peace protecting rigidity. Shinseki isn't the purely one able to say "I informed you so", John Kerry and John McCain were advocating a similar element for a even as.

Answer 6

If they say it is to train Iraqi forces...fine...give it a shot.
But if that is not what they will be doing.....forget it.
The Generals need to get organized after a few years of working for "my way or the highway" RUMSFELD.
WHEN RUMSFELD RESIGNED A SIGH OF RELIEF WAS HEARD WITHIN TEN MILE RADIUS OF PENTAGON.
Good riddance.

Re overwhelming force.....how big is Iraq?
The size of Texas?
Gonna take a lot of troops to overwhelm a space that big and well armed.
And that kind of operation will kill more civilians than the sectarian violence now going on.

Thank you George...History will vilify you.

Answer 7

The General is doing his duty as asked by the govt. It is the govt which is the deciding authority to make policies on how much force is to be used. The general is entangled in a queer situation where he has to do or die. Now clearly the option lies with the policy making govt with ground realities in focus.

Answer 8

We are being stretched thinner as we write this but the problem is if we leave now the country will explode into chaos, the Govt will decide when enough is enough and start pulling out, The draft is a good idea, not to send to war but to let other people see what it takes to keep this country free. Yes not that many government representatives, senators and congressmen have their son or daughter serving at this time. everyone takes our freedom for granted, that its a given right but you got to remember what the cost is for that freedom, yes people die but they died for you so you can continue the life you have now.

Answer 9

Tell him yes, then get the troops he needs. A draft is not needed. We do not have all of our military in Iraq. We have whole armies stationed where they are not needed and should not be -Germany and South Korea are examples.

Answer 10

Just do what everyone else does, and ask a different general. Chances are you'll get a different opinion. Then choose which answer you like best. Happy Thanksgiving.