The war on Iraq?

Question

I just want to know what will happen if we Win the war on iraq and what will happen if we loose the war???

Answer 1

What do you mean by "win the war" and "lose the war"?

Answer 2

First I think we would have to define winning the war. As I see it, that would mean the following:

- The Iraqis are able to establish security and stability in their new government without help from the USA.
- Al Queda operatives in the country are largely killed, captured, or rendered irrelevant.

Obviously, this is all very different that the original goals that were stated at the beginning of the war, but this is what would be necessary to achieve a positive outcome. Despite much of what people are saying here, this is by no means a lost cause. Don't get me wrong I think this war was a mistake, however, we broke Iraq, and now we are responsible for fixing it (or at least helping alot)

To answer the question, winning the war with the above goals acheived would mean the following for the USA.

- The destabilizing effects of the war on the region would be minimized.
- Iranian influence in Iraq would be tempered.
- A stable government in Iraq would make it more difficult for terrorists to exploit.
- Al Queda would suffer a perceived defeat.
- The credibility of American military effectiveness would be preserved, to some extent.
- Regional stability would be a positive for oil production, though that probably doesn't mean oil will get any cheaper. Oil prices only seem to go one way, the only variable is when they go up.

If we lose:

- A perceived loss would decimate America's credibility as a military force in the world. The impact of this could be major. We would be sidelined on the world stage.
- Iraq in disarray would become a center of gravity for Al Queda, and would allow them to become a threat to our allies in the region. This would play well with their stated strategy of first conquering our allies, then using them to posture for a final assault on the USA. The short answer here is that there would be a much better chance of larger and more successful future attacks on the USA.
- The door would be wide open for regional power struggles in the oil rich region. Involvement of NATO Ally, Turkey could mean we have to return in the future under dire circumstances.
- I almost don't even need to mention the effect this would have on oil prices. They will go up anyway, but this would make them go up sooner.

I cannot say enough how I believe invading Iraq was a major mistake. That said, the only thing more costly than staying in the fight, is losing it. This is no doubt, an ugly situation. Long term, we would be well served to behave by the intent of our constitution. That however, is another discussion.

Vote Independent!

Answer 3

'Winning' the war in Iraq is at this point undefined. I can't imagine what outcome is possible that we could call a 'win'. We lost our chance to stabilize the country and it will not be peaceful while we are there, and maybe not for a long time afterwards.

We have already lost the war, whether we like to admit it or not. The choice is to leave, or to stay for several more years and continue to bleed money and kill people. We can not 'win'. The proof of this is that the administration is completely unable to articulate a new plan, a new strategy, they can only stick with the old, failed strategy and insist it's working somehow.

Answer 4

The "war" is over in Iraq. We are just now trying to develop security for the region and training their forces to defend themselves. We are acting as police officers and at the same time arresting AL quieda (sp?) operatives in the country.
We won when Saddam Hussein was thrown out of power and a new government was elected. There is no loss.

Answer 5

The problem with the question is that it assumes that there is some agreed upon definition for "winning" or "losing." Some people are of the opinion (like me), that simply by having started the war, we have already lost. Other people say that we already won (because we succeeded in achieving regime change). Bush himself has said that we already won. So it's not really possible to answer the question as posed.

Answer 6

i don't think we'll ever win in Iraq we seem to have not support over there! if insurgents/ leave maybe we win but for how long?
if Iran becomes more actively involved who know what will happen?

Answer 7

What is there to win? Arent we losing anyway? How many soldiers and civils have already died from both countries? I seriously do not think that this is a win-lose war, its a lose-lose useless, deathly war.

Answer 8

Oil will be completely controlled by the US if it wins in Iraq and shortage of oil resulting to high prices will occur in case the US lose.

Answer 9

have we all lost sight of what this country stands for?

what does it matter who wins or loses? i'm just thankful i'm here today, alive, b/c soldiers are fighting for me and dying for me or have died for me....each and every single day of the 23 years i have been alive, someone has fought for me, and every single one of you...that in itself is the most selfless thing anyone can do for another person...so again, what does it matter who wins or loses...????

Answer 10

if we win we win the oil.and if we not we will fight till last man.
coz we can assume the value of oil infinate.