Posted by
Chris Travers on Thursday, January 11, 2007 10:48:01 PM
I listened closely to Bush's new direction on Iraq and after careful consideration I have decided that we owe it to the Iraqi people to give Bush one last chance.
I was opposed to starting the war, and I think it is clear to most Americans that it was a horrible mistake. After taking away Afghanistan as a training ground for terrorists, we have given them Iraq. I don't see this as a good thing and it was somethng I warned other Americans about in the run-up to war. We have also lost 10% more American lives in Iraq than in 9/11 so those who say we need to fight them over there so we they don't kill us over here should perhaps amend that to ...so they don't
have to kill us over here.
This being said, we did go to war and in doing so, we opened up Iraq to the terrorist traininers that have moved in today. We have also assumed responsibility to Iraqis and to Americans for creating a state which will extend the rule of law out to provide security for all Iraqis (and by extension provide security for Americans too). I say, "Shame of the Americans who supported the war in the beginning and then feel like we have had enough without fulfilling our obligations that we took on by going to war."
Bush last night had the look of a man who knew the end was near and that we weren't going to win in Iraq. His grim speech had all the implications that we were going to make one last rush to the breach to hold the enemy back, that we might be successful. Nobody I know of thinks 20000 more troops will make a bit of differene, and nobody I know of thinks that Maliki will actually allow us to go after the Madhi Army and the Badr Brigades. So, nobody I know of thinks that Bush's plan will actually work. I don't even think so. Yet I am supporting it.
I believe that we have to do our absolute best to create a lasting peace in Iraq, and that our allies are not blameless in the sectarian violence. Hence our military can only serve as leverage and not effect the victory Bush had long promised. I do not believe that we will "win" in Iraq. But we might, if we are lucky, be able to lay the groundwork for a political solution after we leave.
The main points of Bush's plan are:
- Counter-militia actions. These are not likely to be carried out.
- Counter-insurgency missions. These are unlikely to put an end to the insurgency because the Shiite militias will still be there.
- Confrontations with Syria and Iran. These are likely to destabilize the Iraqi government and Bush may have his hands tied. (We can't credibly threaten them anyway.)
- Legislative reform in Iraq. This is the one grain of hope. If fair means can be included in how the Iraqi Constitution can be amended, and if the anti-Baathist laws are revoked, then it opens up a possibility that peace can be attainable between the factions after we leave.
If a more thousand US soldiers lose their lives before, and seven thousand lose limbs before we withdraw, it will be worth it even if we only manage to lay the groundwork for a political solution to the civil war. In the end it is the Iraqis and not our troops that will win or lose the war.
May we never forget this mistake, but may we do what we can to fulfill the responsibilities that we now bear.