What are the lessons learned, if any, from Iraq war?

Question

I see neither success nor progress in the so-called war against global terrorism. I am really doubting if this terrorism could be eradicated, neither it is being fuelled. Nothing could prove that progress is being made in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Answer 1

Here are my 'lessons learned' from the point of view of an Iraq veteran:

1) The military is winning the war on the ground but losing the war on the TV news. The military needs to be more creative in getting their side of the story to the American people.

2) The troops cannot depend on the Democrats. The only time a democrat will support a war is if it was started by a Democrat. (Anybody remember Clinton's "one year" mission in the Balkans in 1995? Anybody remember that we are still there?)

3) The phrase 'I support the troops but oppose the war' is a lie.

4) We cannot trust the TV news to provide accurate and balanced war coverage.

5) Liberals are blinded by hatred of conservatives and conservative thought.

6) The anti-war crowd cares nothing about the fate of the Iraqi people.

7) The American people have (yet again) let down the troops by repeating and believing every accusation made against the troops.

8) You cannot claim to support the troops yet still claim that the war is 'illegal.' If the war is illegal then - under US military law' every person who participated is a criminal.

Answer 2

"I see neither success nor progress in the so-called war against global terrorism"

You have to watch it slowly, because the change happens slowly. If you expect instantaneous tangible results, you will be disappointed. Imagine if everything worked out 10 years from now, you'd never know by looking at the full picture today.

This is a good question, here are some lessons we should learn:

1) urban warfare is ugly, and the US should not be involved in it. It puts too many civilians in the line of fire, creating a backlash of propaganda that the US intentionally kills innocents, or that its honest attempts do more harm than good.

2) nation building is not to be taken lightly, and detailed analyses of the factions in a country and their predicted reactions to events MUST be in place before any attempts at nation building are made.

3) the reasons for going to war need to be clearly laid out before any declaration takes place, and it must have the backing of the people to strengthen morale on our side, and decrease morale for the enemy hoping to force us into retreat by launching a propaganda warfare (i.e. killing innocents with suicide bombs in order to get it on the news and decrease approval for the war).

Answer 3

Hello listed below are my responses for your statements, numbered the equal. a million. In Vietnam we went to safeguard democracy in South Vietnam on the request in their governmenr. When we went to Iraq we went to get Saddam who used to be a struggle crook for the genocides he commited and to uncover the WMDs. However with the WMDs he had tons of caution we have been coming and used to be ready to get rid of them. two. In Iraq we've been very victorious. The Iraqi's are experienceing freedoms many have certainly not had underneath Saddams regeim. Don't comply with what the media suggests on television. They exhibit the studies so one can deliver probably the most response, nevertheless they fail to exhibit the development we've performed. In Vietnam, we might were very victorious nevertheless the worry used to be with the intention to acquire total luck might have caused an all out struggle so the politicians didn't permit our army battle the struggle. three. Rules of Engagment have been established to safeguard the blameless. The US army follows them the quality they are able to, nevertheless now and then, civilians do die. This does now not provide the enemy a giant abilities, nevertheless it does avoid your choices in relation to enticing them. Plus everytime a unmarried civilian is killed there may be outrage, however it's certainly not acknowledged the deficient civilian used to be killed given that the enemy ran and concealed amongst them. four. Most of Iraq is a riskless position. There are located which can be detrimental, however even the USA has those locations inside its possess borders. I relate the enemy in Iraq to gangs within the USA. They stroll round in simple website but cover among peers and household. However whilst the enemy is utilizing guerilla conflict, it's not anything like in Vietnam. In Iraq the enemy is utilizing extra of Urban conflict then Guerilla. five. The Military does now not underestimate them. 6. How are we wasting the career? 7. Going into Iraq the USA knew it used to be now not going to be handy. They did not feel it used to be going to be this complex nevertheless they did not feel it used to be going to be a stroll within the park both.

Answer 4

The Iraq War has nothing to do with terrorism. It never had anything to do with terrorism.

That's why you don't see success or progress. It was never a true assumption that our war would stifle terrorism. It is truly a cover. There are greater political and economic objectives secretly at work here. Politicians use terrorism and distorted notions of patriotism to convince the less educated conservative people that the Iraq War is necessary, and then it turns around and uses things like "Operation Iraqi Freedom!" to try to convince the less educated liberal thinkers that the war is about global altruism, and is therefore necessary.

Our nation will not support its government if wars are being fought over politics and economics. Our nation only supports a war if it believes we are fighting evil and/or spreading goodness. That is why terrorism, "freedom" and "democracy" are still being suggested as reasons for being at war.

Answer 5

(sorry I'm brazilian, my english is not that good...)

Does anyone believes in all that lies?

Of couse there are much more than that!!!
The fear is a weapon! Bowling for Columbine show that, one fear after another!!!

The problem of terrorism in the late years is published like that never existed before! The terrorism show up before French Revolution, in the Russia the terrorism have killed a czar (Alexander II), for example, and in all the twentieth century it ocurrs all over the world.

Why not forgive the external debt of the countries if the costs of this wars are in US$ 1.000.000.000.000,00?

In my vision these wars are caused in the name of geopolitics. The petrol are a weapon of manipulation of the souvereignnty of the countries all over the world.
In the case of Afghanistan that war is more complicated than that, the pride of the US... ... ... (the government of US don't forget or forgive another Cuba).
I have certanty that no one remenber the september 11th in the year of 1973... ... ...
In the coup d'état of Brasil the navy of US are all over the coast line, in the case of any resistence...

Answer 6

It is proving that terrorism was the real reason for going to war after all these years of violent attacks against American troops.

Answer 7

I guess the only way for you to realize if progress is being made is to buy you a airline ticket to Iraq huh?
Been there and Afghanistan also and we are making progress HUGE strides. so quit listening to the brain sucker (TV) the media is only letting you know what IT wants you to know.
For the real truth Witness It.

Answer 8

i fear that never again will we be unified again enough to carry on a protracted war if absolutely necessary to protect ourselves.
we have become too divided by political lines and don't have the stomach to see bodybags.
we are becoming a nation of whimps.

Answer 9

You see no success???? How about no more attacks after 911 in America(that alone is enough) beacuse we are killing and catching most of these bad people in the middle east and here in the US also. I think we are in a good track. There is just sooo many of them, that it will take us plenty of more years for us to WIN the war in the middle east

Answer 10

That violence just begets violence and we need to stand along side of the people in Iraq and show them how to build a self sustaing country free from the Arabic propangandists who use lies to benefit themselves. To show how to build buildings and teach a new generation the benefits of peace and mutual respect.