Was the war in Iraq really a failure?

Question

Our boys did what they set out to do, topple Saddam. The world no longer has to deal with that loose cannon.
The disappointment has been the inability to establish a stable government in post-war Iraq. This isn't surprising given the differences between the Iraqis themselves.
After 4 years or so, it may be time to push average Joe Iraqi out of the nest and have him settle the unrest his own country. As long as we are pumping billions of dollars and troops into the struggle, average Joe Iraqi can just stay home and mind his own business.
Perhaps we should back off and just protect Iraq from invasion for the next several years, while allowing Joe Iraqi decide which way to settle his country's turmoil.

The goal was to topple Saddam. That was a goal for the 1st Pres Bush, Pres. Clinton, and this Bush.
Saddam has been removed. We did what we set out to do.

Answer 1

all democracies rise out of chaos. We need to get out of the way, and let that chaos run its course.

Answer 2

Where do these questions, (and some of these answers) come from? Is the war over? how do we expect to change things overnight? And yes in historical terms it is "overnight". I know here in America, as soon as the Revolutionary War was over we instantly had a prosperous nation with a strong stable government despite the fact that thousands of people were setting bombs in an effort to get us all back under the oppressors heel. What? you say that not how it happened? well then why do we expect it to be that way anywhere else? Because we're America and we say so? Sorry, the world doesn't work that way. Yeah we can just pack up and go, and save ourselves a lot of money. And within a couple of years the new Saddam will be in charge, thousands will be executed as traitors, women will be removed from the schools and workplaces, and things can finally get back to normal for Joe Iraqi.
Thank you for listening, and have a nice day.

Answer 3

This is a realistic solution and we should work towards this in a relatively short time frame of say one month .We had to of known that at some point Iraq was going to have a civil war . To forces pushing against each other are bound to erupt at some point . We where the catalyst in this process and it is time to step back as we should have done two months into the operation .
When someone is in a horrific accident surgeons do not repair it all at once . They do the repair work over time as your body heals and is able to recover from the original life saving operation . First stopping the massive blood lose setting bones and stabilizing the patient . Then they can go back a few moths later and install new knee joints or elbows hips and what not to get you in the best shape possible .
If the surgeons tried to fix it all at once you would die .
So common sense dictates that we move carefully when trying to affect changes in a nation of 65million people . We rushed in and have tried to accomplish way to much and the people can not handle it all at once .

Answer 4

The goal was to rid Iraq of WMD's when they didn't find any then it was to take Saddam out of power. When we did that it was to establish a democracy in Iraq. That is where we have failed. What we do not realize is that the Iraqi people might not want a democracy. I am sure that they will never accept a puppet government set up by the U.S. But you have been right about one thing we need to pull back and let them decide what they want for their country. We shouldn't take sides either. It is their country not our 51st state.

Answer 5

The only way we can lose is to quit. All though with forces working within our own government to loose its not a sure thing.

I think we've got to do some more house cleaning before we turn it all over to the Iraqis. We got a little ahead of ourselves in pushing them into running their own government. The result was that a lot of pent up hostility between groups has bubbled to the surface. Plus outside interferrance from Iran and Syria needs to be shut down.

After that I like your plan. I think the bad guys would quit a lot sooner if politicians here didn't try to support the troops by cutting off reinforcements.

Answer 6

It's not over yet so how can it be a failure? The new Bush plan calls for results from the Iraqi leaders so they are making Iraqis stand up and settle their issues. It would be near impossible for the Iraqis to set up a working government without allowing them some safety while they do it. If the US troops leave the militias will take over and the most powerful of the militias/ radicals would be the Iranian government. You know the guy who said Death to the great Satan (referring to the US).

Answer 7

First, I have no sense of certainty that I know even a tenth of what is really going on or its implications. Yes, it was good to topple Saddam. And I think it was good to show that gathering conspiracy of nations that have their eye on WMDing us that we're not just going to passively wait for the next 9-11. And you make a good point - why DONT those people want to settle? It can't be very relaxing to have car bombs going off every day -

But I think the real value of it, not unlike Vietnam, is the demonstration that we're not going to let you get away with this shiit indefinitely - that's a message that needs to be sent and can only be sent by action.

Answer 8

Actually, all the terms and conditions that Congress accepted as justification for going there have been met. the war seems like a failure because, like annoying relatives, we've stayed way too long. When GWB stood on the deck of the USS Lincoln declaring victory we should have started withdrawing and encouraged the UN to send in diplomatic advisers. But that didn't happen, instead we are continuing 50 caliber diplomacy. Kind of reminds me of "the beatings will continue until morale improves!"

Answer 9

Yes and No. Getting rid of Saddam was a victory in that it removed a tyrant and provided the Iraqi an opportunity to achieve political and religious freedom. History has proven that Islam is never going to permit the kind of freedom we enjoy and knowing that we should back out of their country and let history takes its course. We have sacrificed our sons and daughters to give them a chance to embrace a life of personal choice now let them alone to put into practice those choices. We will continue to guard against terroism now and who knows how long into the future. Lets protect our land as best we can. Put politicans in office that show a devotion to our democratic principals and pray that their decisions lead us down the path of continued freedom, security and economic stability.

Answer 10

challenge began while Saddam himself inspired the thought Iraq had WMD and alter into arranged to apply them. For one reason or yet another, the intelligence communities supported this concept and conflict substitute into declared to stabilise the area and get rid of the WMD's. In hindsight, we've been misled and could never be conscious of if this substitute into intentional or not. despite if, the challenge of what to do after the removing of Saddam substitute into never concept out. The troops can't, at this 2nd and time, be withdrawn for worry of civil conflict and till the Iraqis themselves comprehend that the only thank you to eliminate the troops is to talk peace, the troops will stay. we've a ethical criminal accountability to stay and handle the mess we created and whilst we are there the troops could get carry of our help

Answer 11

About the quote: from a speech on 10/3/03
These people are trying to shake the will of the Iraqi citizens, and they want us to leave...I think the world would be better off if we did leave...
~George W. Bush (on Iraqi Insurgency)

Wars generally do not resolve the problems for which they are fought and therefore...prove ultimately futile.
~Pope John Paul II

If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.
~Nelson Mandela