What do they want?

Question

The new US commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus, said last week, "There is no military solution to a problem like that in Iraq, to the insurgency of Iraq," and "Iraqi leaders will eventually have to sit down and talk with some of the violent factions tearing the country apart."

I keep hearing people say that no one wants to go to the table.

I have a feeling the United States and other countries don't want them to go to the table, because it could lead to a political dissolution of "Iraq," a "country" in which many are heavily invested, if only indirectly.

It seems to me that, regardless of the reasons for resistance to dialog, on our part or on the part of anyone else involved, the honest goals of each group must be known. Then at least there can be the possibility of satisfying those goals. Without this, there can never be any progress.

So my question is, where can I look to find out what the major factions in Iraq WANT?

Answer 1

I have known there is no military solution in Iraq for over 3 years, took the General long enough to find that out. Also it cost America over 3100 dead and 140,000 wounded and $2 trillion in Tax payer money. Iraq is about oil and money, it has been from the start. In Iraq all sides want the oil and money. That will not end in my lifetime. Iraq is in Civil war, that is fact. Only Stupid people like The Republicans in Congress, Bush and Cheney are not willing to face the facts in Iraq. These types will never admit being wrong no matter how many of our brave service members die and are wounded in Iraq for their cause.

Answer 2

The civil unrest in Iraq can be ended like many other civil wars/ conflicts have been ended in the past. By WINNING.
Somehow I don't remember Lincoln calling for "negotiations" with the Confederates. Or Lenin "negotiating" with the Tsar. While we're at it, let's have the Police negotiate with the Mafia and the Drug Cartels...

IMO the goals of all the groups in Iraq are the same- power. ALL of it. Which simply means that some of these groups will have to be destroyed, or be beaten into surrendering. The whole point of the fighting is to ensure that OUR side wins. Otherwise the mad mullahs of Iran will end up controlling 1/2 of the world's known oil reserves (BTW, once n power in Iran, these mullahs have murdered all their political opponents, so get a clue!)

Answer 3

Deep question, with complex answers.

My recommendation is that you go to Juan Cole's blog, Informed Comment (given in source).

He's an expert in Middle East, and I've been reading him (lately, only off an on) for years.

He's extremely knowledgeable, and sane. Over time, I've seen many of his predictions come to pass (unfortunately -- as his predictions have been that the US courted disaster by invading and by nearly all of its subsequent decisions and actions).

There are 3 major ethnic groups, two of whom are the ones who are really going at it.

Some of it is about the oil (one of the group's area doesn't have much, so the question of whether the country as a whole, or the regions, should profit from oil is divisive).

A lot of it now is simply retribution -- they've bombed, raided, murdered "ours" so we murder "theirs".

The Sunnis (who used to be favored under SH's dictatorship) believe themselves to be the majority (they aren't), and resent having their power taken away.

The Shiites (who were oppressed by SH) are the majority, and believe they should be in control.

The Kurds, who have never had a homeland, and have been mal-treated in all the countries they have lived in, are thrilled to have some autonomy and safety at last.

There's is now a place in the world where, for example, it is NOT illegal to speak or write in Kurdish.

The Kurds and Shiites have oil, in the areas where they dominate, the Sunni's do not.

And there are a number of "players" -- leaders, some of whom want peace, others of whom want peace on their terms.

Go to Professor Cole's site, and poke around in his archives, especially around pivotal times such as their elections.

The dude knows his stuff, that's for sure.

Answer 4

You can look on Yahoo Answers at clueless_nerd 's answer.

What the major factions WANT is to blow things up, deny Israel exists or should, fight among themselves, give Women ZERO human rights and tell us all Islam is a religion of Peace.

I shouldn't answer a question with a question, but why should WE (The U.S.) "want" to be a part of this?

Bring the troops home NOW.

Answer 5

Of course the general doesn't know nearly as much as some of the people on YA who insist we must battle, battle, battle, those mean old nasty islamofasists. Well general, you are out voted on this one we gotta keep going no talking just shut up and fight.