What positive lessons can we draw from the Iraq war?

Question

We heard so many negative points...any actual positive ones out there?

Answer 1

YES,TAKE MORE AMMO AND DO A PROPER JOB LIKE WE SHOULD HAVE THE FIRST TIME

Answer 2

When you consider that counterinsurgency operations normally take a decade or two, are uncertain, and require that the political aspects take precedence over the military aspects, this one's going to historic norms. The "bottom up" tactics that have largely pacified Anbar are the same as some small programs that worked well in Vietnam but were not pushed into general use. For people who are interested in the technical minutiae of counterinsurgency operations, there's actually a lot confirming previous experience, but these things have always been marginalized by the Pentagon, who prefer traditional warfighting over counterinsurgency operations. Neither political party has ever had much interest in these things, either. At least there's some lip-service being paid to readiness specifically for this kind of fighting, which is something, but I'm not sure they're yet taking it seriously, even though it's by far and away the most likely form of warfare we're likely to see in the decades to come.

Answer 3

1.Our MOUT (military operations in urban terrain) training was right on track.
2. Americans will still join the Armed Forces despite being a Nation at war ( so much for the draft theory hippies)
3. An all volunteer force that is willing to train to fight will fight
(KIA count is comparatively low considering other wars stats)
4. Lessons learned from past battle field injuries have saved more lives, limbs, etc...
5.That we truly have earned the title "Worlds Greatest Army"

Answer 4

America needs to learn that they aren't the judge and jury of the entire world and despite the common perception that they're invincible and could conquer the entire world no problem if they wanted to, trying to turn a single country onto the right path has seen absolutely no real progress even after several years there.

It's probably good for the training of the military. Troops who spend their whole careers at home in garrison can't learn what it's really like. But that's a very small benefit amid negatives that abound.

Answer 5

Not to let Geraldo Rivera report in the war zone becuse he lets the enemy know where coalition forces are.

Vote for presidents that have the proper skills to develop goodwill between the US and other countries.

I have noticed that America has made it a point to show our armed forces that we care about and support them.

Answer 6

not a damn thing is positive about a war where we dont attack..attack..attack..we are to worried what other people and countries are saying..the hell with them..you dont play a football game with only have a squad or or thinking there is no way we can lose against these guys...we should have learned our lesson from the war i was in for 18 months,,,vietnam,,,there is no such thing as a police action..its either all out or get out...we have embarrassed ourselves again...

Answer 7

Never go to war with the intent to occupy a country unless you have a whole lot of money and way more soldiers.

...never try to rebuild another country.

Never try to force democracy on a group of people who tend to like theocracies.

Just... let's not do this again... that's the BEST lesson of all.

Answer 8

The only potential positive is that many will finally see war for what it is - a few people with too big egos playing games with the lives of others, usually with a commercial gain involved on the motive.

You can never win a war on terrorism because war is terrorism itself.

Answer 9

That the American Military will do whatever is asked of it in any given hellhole in the world

Answer 10

vote democratic and have a long term plan and invest more in inteligence especially human assets

Answer 11

Never trust the Bush family.

murder, theft, corruption.........the repug way of life.