Rumsfelt said in 1983 that Saddam is a good friend of the USA.
2007-05-27 08:17:17 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Well if you you think Rumsfeld is a reliable source.
If it were only so simple but this is a complex world we live in and looking at one narrow slice and drawing conclusions from that is simple minded and naive. It is necessary to analyze entire situations.
2007-05-27 09:14:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
We were friendly with Iraq because they were enemies of Iran. It was hoped that an Iraqi victory in the Iran-Iraq war would topple the theocratic government in Iran (something the CIA had been unable to do). The Cold War was still going on and it was policy to overlook a country's "shortcomings" as long as they could achieve our goals. Basically, the end justifies the means. We supported them knowing full well how Saddam Hussein treated his people. The whole aim was to get at Iran. Kind of short-sighted, in my opinion.
2007-05-27 18:12:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go back further than that: the U.S. through its ridiculous foreign policies has always set Iran against Iraq (and vice versa). They thought those tiny, backward countries could never be a threat! Divide and conquer!
But, look at the facts: both Iran and Iraq are bad countries! If you don't believe it, look at the facts, how many people are jailed, tortured, murdered, raped, pillaged. They are like western Europeans during the Dark Ages, but with modern weapons.
Compare Hitler to Saddam and the Ayotollah.
2007-05-27 15:36:43 · answer #3 · answered by Nothingusefullearnedinschool 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
What does 1983 , have to do with today.
Things change over time.
In 1983 Iraq had not invaded Kuwait.
They had not used Chemical weapons against anyone.
According to your reasoning, the US should still have bad relations with :
Spain, Canada, Britain, Germany, Japan, Italy, etc
Because we had fought all of them in a war.
2007-05-27 19:47:37 · answer #4 · answered by jeeper_peeper321 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Agendas are the reason government do and say what they do and say..
Our perception of Iraq and any other country who doesn't practice our regime is whorafied by the media which are being funded and guided by the government...
People need to wake up and smell the coffee..... stop being such sheep and think for themselves... demand answers where there aren't any, and not settle for crap responses which hold no merit.
2007-05-27 15:23:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because Iraq was at war with Iran and we still stupidly believe that "any enemy of my enemy is a friend of mine". At the time Iraq was the lesser of the two evils.
Look at where that policy has landed us now.
2007-05-27 15:46:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Welcome to the real world where things change. Did you know that at one point in history England, Spain, Germany, and Japan were enemies of the US. They are now allies. Sorry but the only constant in the universe is change!
2007-05-27 15:32:53 · answer #7 · answered by Homeless in Phoenix 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I love answering your questions.
They're like a box of chocolates...
Anyway, Looks like Rumsfelt was a DA back then... ;-)
2007-05-27 15:19:45 · answer #8 · answered by K.A. 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Our policy at the time was based on the premise that "the enemy of our enemy was our friend." That premise has long been replaced by more conventional and accurate policies.
2007-05-27 15:23:30 · answer #9 · answered by LeAnne 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
damn...cons hate the truth...hope you like the whiny responses you're about to get
2007-05-27 15:20:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋