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Originally Posted by ccvasquez  I agree. However, the situation in Iraq is that of a people who are scared. After years of death squads and torture, they are slow to stick their necks out.
However, this is exactly why the surge is working. We are providing visible security. This is emboldening them to report/ turn in insurgents in their area. We are seeing progress because we re getting cooperation and information that was not possible previously.
I would imagine that they would be even more willing to stick their necks out if they were not bombarded with promises from a major US political party that they will pull our troops out as soon as possible. | I really agree with your last statement; CCV. The Iraqi problem is not about how fast we can pull out our troops. It's about getting the Iraqi people to the position to where they can take on the job with the best prospect of success. In every American military entanglement; some political party or a spokesperson of that party starts with the "Home by Christmas" rhetoric. It just plays on our sentiments. If the desired result was not achieved, then we have just wasted our time.If we could pull out all of our forces tomorrow, would we do so if the goal has not been achieved? No.
Now I also do think American ethnicentrism is somewhat of a problem because it is so fickle. Since who are we to tell the Iraqi people how to govern themselves? Don't they have that right? Again, as in another thread; I bring up the name of Ferdinand Marcos. We didn't seem to have a problem with the way he bled the Filipino people as long as we had Clark AFB and Subic Bay Naval Base there. We even gave him asylum after the Filipino people removed him from power! |