Is the construction of permanent military bases a sore spot with the Iraqi public?

Question

Or do they find it reassuring that we want to help them in some way long term?

http://www.fcnl.org/iraq/bases.htm
http://www.globalsecurity.org/org/news/2004/040323-enduring-bases.htm
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11072377/

We continue to maintain bases in Germany and Japan, Jeepers. I think the writing is on the wall, and there is no sense denying the obvious.

Answer 1

Just how do you tell a permanent base from one thats designed to provide protection from mortar attacks ?

Both use concrete buildings.

So exactly what makes any base permanent?

Answer 2

I'm not sure about the permanent base thing. I do think we will have a "warm base" on the Victory Base Complex. We're building that up pretty good. They just put a permanent roof on the PX, at Liberty. Of course, that may have more to do with rockets than anything...

The average Iraqi is anywhere from apathetic to positive about the US having a presence, here. No one has come right out and told me that we should get out. I have been told by some from Saddam stronghold areas that they wish we hadn't invaded, but that's even been rare.

They are glad that we will stay here until there is security, at least.

Answer 3

Statistically speaking the majority of Iraqi people want all foreign nationals out of their country. Even once the country has gained some stability and the forces move out, there are still no guarantees the new government will be able to hold on. Look at what happened to the Shah of Iran! The region is just too volatile.

Answer 4

the U.S. has over 730 bases around the world-- and a lot of sore spots. people in many countries have protested bases, both their presence and its negative impact on their communities and also misbehavior by soldiers, but usually we don't hear about it-- just once in a while news will leak back into the u.s., like several years ago when a young girl was gang raped by u.s. servicemen. the u.s. is notorious for strong-arming other governments into letting our soldiers get away with a lot of violence against local women and children.

I have talked to people from the Phillipines, Hawaii, Ecuador, South Korea, Chile, Germany, and Bosnia about U.S. bases in their countries and they have all said that the general sentiment in their country is that people want it out.

I know your question is about Iraq specifically but we got to look at the global context, and a lot of the answers mention Germany and Japan or just a few countries, but the U.S. has an enormous amount of bases and deployed personnel. These numbers are just counting the official bases, too, not countries that are housing detachments of troops or covertly stationed areas. For example, in the Horn of Africa there is only one base that is admitted to-- in Dijibouti-- but there are tons of troops in Ethiopia, some in Kenya, and talk of bases in Somalia and Sudan. Despite the fact that there has been a very clear call issued in January 2007 from social movements in Africa for no U.S. military aggression in Somalia or Sudan, and for nonviolent resolution without U.S. intervention.

And then there's Guantanamo.

Answer 5

No! They find the exploding cars, police that kill your group, clerics that formant civil wars, kidnapping of your sisters, four hours of electricity a day, killing of college students because they want an education, and so on, that is a sore spot with the Iraqi public.
The military bases are not high on their priority list.

Answer 6

Yes. Not just in Iraq, but with the rest of the Arab nation.

How would you like it if another country had a military base in the US?

Jessica, go to Germany, Japan or Korea or at least, find out why there are military bases there.

Answer 7

http://360.yahoo.com/antiwar_girl

America's Disregard of International Law & Order
I couldn't believe it. Middle east news agencies said that the US is paying 10,000$ to each Kurd that moves to Kirkurk, regardless of what the media is saying the middle east knows the Turk omens are presently living there.

It also says that the constitution that was suppose to have been created by the Iraqis has a glitch in it that gives the Kurds the freedom to have a referendum for independence-going against international law. Wow what a scenario, now it makes sense why they have cleared 13 villages to form another base in the North of Kirkurk. Well you know what this means WW3.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070213/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_another_war

To make it worst President Bush's administration has not supported cancelling or delaying the vote. Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd, has warned Turkey against interference. But Turkey has written in their constitution that they will go to war and will include all Muslim countries taking Iran, Syria and the rest of the Arab nations against the Kurds.

It is stated in Mid East agencies that the US wants to pay really cheap money for the oil and that the only way they can do that is by creating a kurdistan and not shared oil revenue with the rest of Iraq. The US is on a clear one way mission to dirupt that region and start WW3!

antiwar_girl

Answer 8

I am not sure. It will be a long time before the media lets us know what the average Iraqi actually thinks. In any case, its probably a sore spot considering the whole "us being there" is currently a sore spot.

Answer 9

Did you read your own references?

The GlobalSecurity article you posted stated that the bases are intended for "up to two years."

Sounds like you can use less politics and more reading comprehension.

Answer 10

we aren't constructing permanent bases in Iraq. Or even talking about it.