What would YOU do (about Iraq, etc.) if YOU were Commander - in - Chief?

Answer 1

Hand over govt to Al qaeda and withdraw as soon as possible. This way there won't be much bloodshed also

Answer 2

If I was commander-n-chief I don't think I would do much about Iraq. I wouldn't be able to. The president doesn't have much control one way or the other. Congress and the UN invaded Iraq. I've always thought it was a hell of a good PR job that has several famous names (clinton,kerry, edwards) who actaully sent us to iraq having convinced the nation that it was done by 1 man who neither did nor had the power to if he wanted to. (and yes he wanted to). As commander-N-Cheif I wouldnt have almost unlimited control of the nation and it's military forces during a time of war but despite the use of the term in the papers there is not state of war ("war" in the official sense, yes I know men are fighting), which deprives the commander-n-chief of those broad powers. In fact with the current Iraq government officially recognised by at least us that means I couldnt do a damn thing without their permision. All and all I dont think I'd have much choice, except to hire or fire the men that did. I could keep firing every man that took a position if my gaols werent being met but wouldnt that be a lot like shooting each horse that couldnt jump a rail untill you got the one that did. It might work, but you also might run out of horses first.All and all as un-politaclly correct as it sounds I think I would let things stand as they are. Continue to allow the Iraq's the use of our forces to help train theres and to act as an interim military. The united states during a time of peace in a fairly developed infrastrucure and consiting of a largely united ethnic and religious group took 11 years to come up with a constition they all agreed with. Why one would expect utopian peace in a undeveloped nation filled with deeply segragated factions just a few years after the disposition of a leader that was himself only able to hold control with strict use of force I cannot understand. You might say its none of our business and let them sort it out themselves but we made it our business when we deposed their leader. You could also say that the removal of their government was the mistake of another administrator but sometimes we get shackled with the burdens of our predecsors and I find it cowardly to shuck the responsibility as a "it wasnt my idea to come here" If anything as commander n cheif I would try to get out better the necessity of the goal in a more pragmatic way and leave behind some of the more sentimental preaching about peace and democracy.

Answer 3

I would definitely put a timetable on when we should pull out. I would put pressure on the surrounding peaceful countries to help Iraq make that transition of taking control. I would give them until 2010- we've been training Iraqi military since 2002 on how to handle their own areas. The conflicts won't stop until the Iraqis decide to rat out the informants, the cells, the opposition hiding amongst them. Remember, we came in there to find WMDs- we freed Iraqis in the process, took the responsibility of guiding them to self-government, and train their army to protect themselves. What more can we do now?

Answer 4

I being practical would put a much smaller, but more mobile and trained force there.Something like a secret police... spies.... assasins... soldiers are absolutley no use. Then using information i might get i would use bunker buster missles to destroy hideout or send small groups of soldiers to certain areas. I would also be smart enough to play dirty and use propaganda.

Oh yeh i would also arm my troops with basic weapons like AK-47s or improved versions so that if they died oh well the terrorists wont be receiving any more M-16 and Warfighter systems (if they had those out yet). And the whole point is to be the one making the attack not defending.

Answer 5

1. I would kick all of the midia journalists out of the country.

2. I would declare it an active war again

3. I would leaflet every city with a deadline to leave the area

4. I would bomb the country (anyone still in the cities should be considered a terrorist and there for disregarded), doing one city per day.

5. I would tell the military to kill all terrorists/anyone who has a weapon and is theatening the lives of the military or civilians at all cost.

Answer 6

Nuke the Iranians, and the Syrians. Take every man between the ages of 16-60 and interigate them, arrest the terrorists. Create a strong Iraqi army that can hold its own. And secure some oil deals that would repay American taxpayers for all this hardwork.
What for free...Freedom isnt free, as well it shouldnt be, it must be earned, or paid for.

Answer 7

simple!

use the occupation formula:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A10161-2004May8?language=printer

and flood the place with our guys to get control of the country for real! we have never had control of the country after the invasion, the Occupation has been a mess!!!!!!

we need at least 600,000 guys over there to get control of the situation, the ration of 40 to 1 has never been achieved it is more like 160 to 1, leaving us on the side lines of the power struggles going on there after our toppling of Saddam..

we need to flood the place with troops to get the ratio right and win that mess created by NOT having enough troops to begin with in this invasion!

afterwards start forcing all sectarian sides to come to a table and negotiate a new Iraq with guarantees for all factions and sects, only then will the fighting will stop, since only then will all sides will feel secure in their future..

...but first we need to get control of what is going on in there, right now, we are NOT in control at all!

Answer 8

Excellent question. I, honestly, don't think that I would do anything different that what the Prez is doing now. We can't pull out too early, that will result in a loss of everything we have gained. We can't wait too long, our boys and girls need to come home and the money spent is atrocious.

Answer 9

Declare victory and leave the next day leaving Iraq with enough weapons to give Iran trouble.

Answer 10

Give one single command to our troops:

1. Rid the country of insurgents at all costs.

Answer 11

Tell everyone to get the hell out of the way and let the military do their job. That goes for both sides.