So, when will Iraq take care of itself?

[DamnYankee]

What we do next with Iraq is crucial for the U.S. The U.S. should use Iraq as a pawn. Turn it into a military country for the U.S. Set up air strips and military bases. Make it a major ally of the U.S. Prepare for future conflicts with other countries.

So how'd that work out last time around?
The crimes of a U.S. ally
It's gonna be better now that Saddam is screwin' all those virgins?

Different situation. We didn't even use them as a military resource. We just wanted them for their oil. It was about the money. We also had just came out of a war with Korea and were getting ready to enter a war with Vietnam. Our military wasn't focused on Iraq as strongly as it is today. Today, things are starting to tighten up around the world. NK is testing nuclear weapons almost every day. They also have captured two american reporters. The taliban is giving Pakistan hell right now. And the situation in Afghanistan is getting any better. But, the U.S. (as of right now) has most of it's military based in Iraq. We also have helped them create a new government and put their old government to an end. Negociating with Iraq right now and asking them if we could set up military bases would be the smartest thing to do.

Apparently we have two different recollections of the SAME HISTORY, despite the fact that a link was provided for you.

Saddam, having shoved aside al-Bakr to become president of Iraq, saw an opportunity to bolster his position. He launched a war on Iran in 1980--a horrific conflict that would cost 1 million lives on both sides over the next eight years.

Concerned with containing Iran, U.S. officials quietly encouraged Saddam's invasion plans through its Middle East allies, such as King Hussein of Jordan. Officially, Washington was neutral in the war, content to see both sides suffer devastating casualties.

But whenever Iran began to gain the upper hand, the U.S. shifted behind Iraq. "While we want no victor, we can't stand to see Iraq defeated," said Richard Armitage--then an assistant defense secretary in the Reagan administration, now a top deputy to Secretary of State Colin Powell--in testimony to Congress.
The crimes of a U.S. ally

Now if that doesn't constitute using them as a military resource, I'm at a loss to understand what you would call it.

 

[ekrem]

Its hard for Iraq to take care of itself. It is surrounded by many hostile countries. And is filled with many terrorist groups. Has no economy. And doesn't have an army...well ok they do, but not very strong.
The true question is, when will the U.S. quit worrying about fighting in Iraq. And start using it as a strategic point in the middle east. Its a perfect place to set up military bases and air fields. And put supplies there.
Of course we would have to work a deal with the Iraq government. But id say they owe us for helping put Saddam out of power.
We need to start preparing for a war in the middle east. I know we kind of have one right now. But im not talking about some terrorist (run and gun) war. Im talking about all out warfare.
Some what of a war like WWII.

Your mentioned words (=wishes) stem from total misunderstoodment of the situation the US is in, the situation of the surrounding region of Iraq and the situation within Iraq itself.
The US by itself, acting through their own capabilities have nothing to gain by diverting capabilities into Iraq on a sustainable (event controlling) level. It is not sustainable for US. US will make sure the oil will flow, then leave Iraqi territory to itself. Or let me say it different, US will try to act within Iraq through regional allies into Iraq.

Instead of dreamin of full-scale war, you should read experts from the International Crisis Group.
International Crisis Group - 88 Iraq and the Kurds: Trouble Along the Trigger L

US is leaving North-Iraq and central Iraq into Turkish control zone. A development which is anyway unavoidable, no matter how US stands on this issue. US is just moving the teaspoon with peanut butter to the Turkish mouth, whilst Turkish hand is anyway grasping for that peanut butter.

raq and the region will be a conflict of interest by surrounding states. US will try to influence the whole Iraq issue, crucial -->, from a long-time sustainable position by betting on the surrounding horses. That's the whole issue, wake up from your fullscale-war dreams.

 

[Terral]

Hi AllBiz:

So, when will Iraq take care of itself?

That is easy. Iraq will take care of itself in the day that Iraqis have a king. All of the little chickens in the chicken house will fight, until everyone determines the identity of the 'big chicken' (king) and he will make Saddam look like the tooth fairy . . .

GL,

Terral