Fulfilling a campaign promise, President Barack Obama* has begun a massive draw-down of US forces from Iraq, semi-officially ending the seven year conflict that has raged in that nation since our invasion back in 2003. Of course, our last President, George W. Bush, in typical oblivious form, declared "Mission Accomplished" on board the USS Abraham Lincoln only several weeks after the US first invaded. Yes, Saddam Hussein was gone, his government ousted, the Baathist forces defeated forever, but we all know painfully well that the war was far from over. Obama, preferring not to repeat his predecessor's... um... let's find a diplomatic phrase and call it "enthusiasm", will probably not be dramatically flying onto a Nimitz-class nuclear powered war ship and then enjoying a victory party, as much fun as that would be. However, as low-key as this affair might be, its still a major turning point in the history of Iraq, and the United States as well.
But even though this moment may indeed be a signal to the end of the war, one cannot help but be worried. Iraq for most of these seven years as been a nation-state in complete chaos. And ultimately I really do think that most of the blame for the initial failures of Operation Iraqi Freedom stemmed directly from the Bush Administration itself. Remember, these are the people who convinced themselves that Iraq held Weapons of Mass Destruction - the real world was never much of a concern for that organization. For years the situation was allowed to fester and the country was allowed to fall to pieces purely because there just weren't enough security forces on the ground to take control of the situation. Now that the Surge (which I'll admit I never believed in until it worked) had ended, its truly a worrisome prospect whether the country can hold together without a military occupation.
I suppose all you can do is pray and hope for our country, the Iraqis, and indeed for the entire world - and it is the world's problem, even if most of us can ignore it - that Iraq can hold together and the country can survive intact and peacefully. Obama might be signing this country's death warrant or perhaps leading it towards a great new period in its history. Its impossible to tell at this point. All we can do is hope.
That's all I got: no real conclusion, no real argument, not even particularly eloquent, just a prayer.
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* Two years into his presidency, its worth noting, Obama name still gets readlined by Firefox's spellcheck, hilariously. Of course, Firefox's spellcheck sucks to begin with. It doesn't think that "teleport" is a word either.
I hate to take such a profound and well-meaning post and have one of the earlier comments a meticulous nitpick, but there's an issue with the following sentence:
ReplyDelete"Obama, preferring not to repeat his predecessor's... um... let's find a diplomatic phrase and call it 'enthusiasm.'"
The structure of the sentence makes it seem like you're transitioning into what is, in your article, the next sentence, within that sentence, if you can follow me. Here's something you may want to consider:
"Obama, preferring not to repeat his predecessor's... um... let's find a diplomatic phrase and call it 'enthusiasm,' will probably not be dramatically flying onto a Nimitz-class nuclear powered war ship and then enjoying a victory party, as much fun as that would be."
On the subject at hand, I'm hoping with you, man. I'll be hoping until the day we all join hands underneath a rainbow and sing Who-carols.
I'm curious as to something, do you believe Iran and North Korea pose a threat to the US? By pose a threat, I meant a full outbreak of wear. The US didn't plan on letting the war drag on this long, so obviously losses are visible, like the recession.
ReplyDeleteOverall though I blame the Bush Administration for everything, but I'm real curious how could have things ended if Bush never cheated and Al Gore became President.
Mission Accomplished: http://images.encyclopediadramatica.com/images/d/de/Eated_it.jpg
Iran, I think can reform itself on its own. They're aware that their system is unjust and broken, and eventually time will come that they will have to fix it. Its a vibrant democracy with a large population that could easily grow into a great nation, if only they could find the way.
ReplyDeleteNorth Korea is a complete failure of a state. Its a regime of incompetence and evil, a dangerous combination. I'm honestly worried that a war is ready to break out in Manchuria in just the coming year or so. The entire world will benefit if that nation were reunified Germany-style.
I don't think North Korea is likely to declare war on any of the "power" countries anytime soon. I think they know that they'd be defeated quickly if they went up against, say, the U.S. Such a war would be even more devastating to China, whose main source of trade is North Korea. They would have to choose an ally, as they hold trillions of dollars in land in the U.S., and a bad relationship would ruin all that (which, I think, is better than most people think it is). It would be difficult; North Korea has less allies, but as China's main trading partner...
ReplyDeleteGoogle Chrome also thinks teleport isn't a word, by the way. Obama is, however.
I doubt that North Korea will declare war on anyone, actually. As it has made tons of "enemies", what I can infer from the news, South Korea would help the targeted country, I suppose, as they are still at war.
ReplyDelete(Regardless of all these, they have a facebook page the last time I check. Interesting.)
Interesting, hopefully all of these stupid wars will end soon.
ReplyDeleteHey Blue, don't you think it's a better idea to advertise Magicite Madness II? I mean, it was a big deal in 2007, so maybe putting it on the front page or something will attract people from the Dragon Nest Colosseum, which gets a crap ton of votes.
ReplyDeleteEither way next fight in the DNC I'm putting it in the Peanut Gallery, if that's okay with you.
I'll change my user page into a link to the Magicite Madness II, and I brought it up here. I tried to ask Faethin for a site notice but he wasn't paying attention, I think.
ReplyDelete