Let The Iraqis Chart Their Own Course Now!
The American presence in Iraq has started to become a real problem for Iraqis who want to chart their own course. Prime Minister Maliki has started to state more frequently that the American forces are not keeping him advised of situations that happen until after the fact. Additionally he is stating that Iraqi will not bend to US demands.
The perception is widely held in Iraq that "...the Americans did not cooperate with them on the attack. This means as usual that the Americans have no respect for any authority when they want to do something," . So I say get out! Let the Iraqis take charge of their own country.
Without Americans there, there will be no one else to blame but the violent militia leaders themselves. New leaders will arise from the masses. This is a good thing; that is what democracy is all about. Even though we know that clearly this new democracy that will evolve will not be the American vision, but it will be an Iraqi vision. When there is ownership of a cause or pride in finding a solution together, a team is forged. With public consensus and people buying into this new team resolution, there will be long term adherence to the change.
America has made a mess of the situation in Iraq from their own arrogance and lack of cultural sensitivity. Now, instead of creating foolish maxims like we need to "Stay the Course" and "Not Cut and Run", we need to pull our military out, position it in the Kurd region where we are welcome, and fund the emerging Iraqi government with humanitarian aid and administrative support - when asked.
By moving the military out, we hand over the reigns of power to the Iraqi people. Although supposedly the Iraqis have been in control for some time, the reality is that they are not. The Americans are still guiding and controlling the government and military operations in Iraq. Americans are still doing and planning operations from their narrow perspectives and not necessarily from a perspective that matches that of the everyday Iraqi and even that of the Iraqi Prime Minister.
So, I say "pull out America. The Iraqis don't want us. Let them chart their own course. If they fail, they fail. If they succeed, they succeed, but it will be their own defeat or victory, not an American one!" It is time to pass the baton to the Iraqis and let them move ahead to find their own future.
The perception is widely held in Iraq that "...the Americans did not cooperate with them on the attack. This means as usual that the Americans have no respect for any authority when they want to do something," . So I say get out! Let the Iraqis take charge of their own country.
Without Americans there, there will be no one else to blame but the violent militia leaders themselves. New leaders will arise from the masses. This is a good thing; that is what democracy is all about. Even though we know that clearly this new democracy that will evolve will not be the American vision, but it will be an Iraqi vision. When there is ownership of a cause or pride in finding a solution together, a team is forged. With public consensus and people buying into this new team resolution, there will be long term adherence to the change.
America has made a mess of the situation in Iraq from their own arrogance and lack of cultural sensitivity. Now, instead of creating foolish maxims like we need to "Stay the Course" and "Not Cut and Run", we need to pull our military out, position it in the Kurd region where we are welcome, and fund the emerging Iraqi government with humanitarian aid and administrative support - when asked.
By moving the military out, we hand over the reigns of power to the Iraqi people. Although supposedly the Iraqis have been in control for some time, the reality is that they are not. The Americans are still guiding and controlling the government and military operations in Iraq. Americans are still doing and planning operations from their narrow perspectives and not necessarily from a perspective that matches that of the everyday Iraqi and even that of the Iraqi Prime Minister.
So, I say "pull out America. The Iraqis don't want us. Let them chart their own course. If they fail, they fail. If they succeed, they succeed, but it will be their own defeat or victory, not an American one!" It is time to pass the baton to the Iraqis and let them move ahead to find their own future.
Good point well brought out!
Posted by Scipio | Thu Oct 26, 09:50:00 AM EDT
I see your point but's it's not quite as simple as that.Wish it was. You're forgetting about the oil, the main reason Anerica has it's interests in Iraq, and what about the power vacuum that will be created if the west just pulls it's forces out over night? The main fear surely is that Iran will swamp control over most of Iraq, tipping the balence in an already fragile Middle East...
Posted by Anonymous | Thu Oct 26, 11:23:00 AM EDT
I should learn to spell America properly, whoops...
Posted by Anonymous | Thu Oct 26, 11:23:00 AM EDT