Quote:
Originally Posted by Shiva_TD
There are basically two arguments related to Iraq.
The first is that the US imposed government is not supported by the People of Iraq and the second is that the Iraqi People support their new government.
I happen to be a believer in the first but that is basically irrelevant. What is important is that in either case the US should leave. My arguments are simple.
If the People of Iraq do support the current government then there is no reason for the US to remain in Iraq. The country will not devolve into civil war if the Iraqi People truly support their goverment. Even the insurgency in Iraq does not present a threat to a government that is truly supported by the People. The insurgency, by the estmates of the US military, only represents about 40K-50K militia members and the Iraqi security forces are above 300K today.
On the other hand if the Iraqi People do not support the current government then the US is wrong to be imposing it upon them by military force of arms. We should never force a government upon a people that they do not want. If the Iraqi People do not support the government then regardless of what the US does eventually Iraq will desolve into a civil war to oust a government that they do not support.
So regardless of your views the simple fact is that the US presence in Iraq really cannot be supported.
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Your argument is based on the illusionary idea of an Iraqi govt that represents Iraqis. 1. The sunnis are not represented, and if kept from sharing power will be able to wreak havoc on Iraq. 2. The Kurds pay little attention to the govt., and could go from autonomous to independent in a fllash. 3. The shia are in a factional power struggle over who will control the govt.
The main point of the US presence is to keep the factions from killing each other or dividing up and apply pressure to the various sides so they can be brought together to form a viable govt., with a shared and united military responsibility, and with a friendly attitude to the west....a very tall order. Abandoning this process at this stage, even if it is fraught with probability of failure would be irresponsible.