Are We Even Fighting a War in Iraq? Or Overseeing Their Civil War?

Question

We defeated the Iraqi army years ago. Last I checked, we are simply mismanaging an occupation. But certainly not fighting a war. Also, last I checked, it's more of a civil war than anything else. Sunni's Kurds, and Shiites are battling, killing and engaging each other far more than they are any U.S. troops. And even the Iraqi military and police are divided along sectarian lines. Each supporting their own sect's militias. So who exactly is the U.S. at war against over there. And please don't use the catchall phrase "the terrorists". People throw that word around way too much for everything and everyone these days rather than thinking. And there really is no "Iraq" or national "Iraqi" identity, or sense of country anyway. The three major centuries old ethnic groups were thrown together into "Iraq" by the British only decades ago. And now they're falling apart again. So now that we went in against all good advice, logic and history, with poor planning, what do we do next?

Answer 1

Iraq was a problem the world community was already solving. It is understandable that President Bush acted stupidly, only leaders who are serious students of history make wise decisions. Many wonderful beings are dying for no good reason. Now that "our children were sent in" against all good advice, logic and history, with poor planning, what do we do next? We watch our children die...

Answer 2

The US troops are not at war with any group in Iraq. They are
trying to keep the Al Sadr Madhi Brigade from starting a full out civil war with the Sunnis, who are displaced since Saddam was overthrown. Al Sadr is a young, brash, ambitious Iranian backed Shiite Cleric who was no one until the US went into Iraq. Then he killed an older higher up Mullah. He attempted to kill Mullah Al Sistani in Baquba. Al Sistani is from one of the most revered families in the Shiite world. Al Sadr is looking to take control like
Nasrallah of Hezbollah is doing in Lebanon. The turmoil is not just in Iraq now. After the assassination of Pierre Gemayel last week, Lebanon, too, is on the brink of civil war. These situations are inflaming the division which came about after the death of the Prophet Mohammed. The Sunni, especially the Saudi Wahhabis, and the Iranian Shiites are vying for dominance in the Islamic world.

The US troops have been trying to keep some order while training new Iraqi police and soldiers to prevent the violence from spreading from Baghdad and Al Ansur province into a general war. We had better all be praying that the elected government of Iraq gets itself pulled together and protects its people so we don't have to anymore.

I sure don't want those murderers coming over here to tell me how to live. They sure are a destructive force in their homeland.

Answer 3

Now before I start, I dont want any mail saying I am wrong or that I am incompent or anything. I am stating my opinion and am not willing to argue about this

Sunni and Shi'ites are fighting. The Kurds, which are more in the north, are laying low. I say we are fighting the civil war as a whole. The US went after "WMD"s and found none. The US athen took Sadam Hussein out of power. That led to a civil war. What to do next? Looking at what has happened and what the conditions are my vote is to pull out. AND STOP RIGHT THERE! No the US will not look weak or whatever you want to excuse this with. The US is fighting both sides of a civil war. Either pick a side or get out

On a further note. Shi'ites, Sunnis, and Kurds are all different sects of the religion of Islam also known as Muslum people. Its like Catholic and Protestant religions under the Christian religion. Sorry not many people have checked that out and i decided to through out more information.

Answer 4

Most importantl: We make allies in Iraq. How we can do that while promoting a democracy is hard to say, but the Kurds seem to be fond of us. The fact that our troops in Iraq are a lightining rod for attacks by Al Qaeda operatives is somewhere between a 'blessing in disguise' and a 'Persian flaw.'
nextmost: We control Iraqi airfields, which means we have added capability to project air power into the air space of any bordering nation, apart from the air power we can deploy from ships and allies' air bases.
Third: In spite of any civil unrest in Iraq, our strategic position is secured for actions into Iran and/or Syria, if things get too nasty in the Middle East.

Things come to light and i'm more confused, but I have no doubt my duly elected representatives and their appointees will figure something out.

I believe all differences can be negotiated between all people.

I believe that all Christians, Jews, and Moslems worship the SAME GOD.

I don't know what else to say.

Answer 5

Hi, I am an IRAQI speaking from the wounded heart of IRAQI, I will tell you the truth ,USA have done the best in getting rid of former regime ,USA army not defeated IRAQI army ,because most of army and iraqi people dislike Sadam they did not fight usa army except the most minority which like Sadam , I am shea and i love suni we are both brothers , the problem is usa does not let the elected government to work freely according to iraqi law and smees to occupy Iraq . Suni believe that Shea help USA to occupy Iraq, but this untrue so the best solution is USA makes timetable for drawing the troops and leave somebases any where in iraq and lessen to elected government. by the way
I am just Iraqi citizen

Answer 6

we are still fighting the war in iraq not as much as it was then but these people still had a terrorist attack i would leave them alone for a long time now he's trying to set up a government for them then over the next 10 the troops will recede and we will watch from afar

Answer 7

Only reason we're staying is so president Bush and GOP can say they did 'all they can.' And when democrat majority congress manages to get troops home GOP will blame every crime/violence in middle east and terrorism on US soil on democrats for 'cut n run'. Bunch a crazies they are.

Answer 8

Halliburton is padding cheney and bush's pocket...

Answer 9

elect me president and everything will go smoothly