Quote:
Originally posted by jas1552
If the millions of Iraqis are able to form a stable democratic government where they and their children and their childrens children can prosper and live in peace then it will be worth it. If that happens and it influences other nations in the region to do likewise than it's even more worth it. I'm hoping for the best but it's too early to tell if it will turn out to be worth it at this point.
|
Admirable, but naive...
The US has spent 80-odd years systematically ensuring the instability of middle East. At times it has read like a cheap thriller, such as during the Iran-Iraq war when the US provided financial and practical assistance to both sides. So first you have to believe that there has been a complete 180 degree turn in US foreign policy for the region.
Second, almost every Arab country is ruled more harshly than westerners are used to, not only because there is no tradition of democracy, but primarily because most of these countries are divided into religious and tribal groupings that can only be held together with a firm hand. Iraq is one of the most divided of all: not exactly an obvious place for experiments in social engineering to have an likelihood of success.
IMO the biggest lie we have been told about what we are doing in Iraq, is the claim that we are there to bring democracy to the country. The reason is simply that 60% of the people are Shi'ite moslems who have Iran as their spiritual home. The idea that the US would allow Iraq to fall under the sway of Iran is ludicrous. That would put the 2nd and 4th largest oil reserves into the hands of anti-American, moslem extremists. There is no way, if the US has any say, Iraq will be allowed democracy in any sense that we understand the word.