If it was necessary to take down the Baathist regime in Iraq, why not take down the Baathist regime in Syria?
93403
we're just alittle busy right now.
262358
Oh Well, this is a tough one. \n\nAlthough I would like to believe that the current Iraqi situation could sustain itself, I must be realistic in my assesment of the situation. I believe that Iraq will fall apart due to the collapse and absence of a powerful cental government. Saddam was tough, but he held the country together. I think we're gonna end up having to deal with THREE NEW Iraqi states (Northern Kurds, Central Sunnis and Southern Shiites) and I just don't like the sound of that, why deal with three when we there was only one?\n\nBesides, the Shiites in the South will most likely control the larger sum of Iraq's Oil cause that's where it's concentrated. \n\nI still believe, contrary to popular belief, that Saddam could have been dealt with differently, either through micro surgery, or through hard-core diplomacy until he crumbled on his own, this all out invasion is just costing us ridiculous ammounts of money and rubbing our global reputation in the dirt. \n\nThe world is changing, we're loosing favour with hundreds of millions of people, and I just don't want that for my country, a country that I love.
1067416
i dont really think that we are forcing our way of government on iraq per se, its more like we're giving them the opportunity to decide for themselves...as dictator, sadam didnt allow choice, there was no opposition allowed, things we take for granted here in the us.  look, we took sadam out which does benefit the world, no matter what the liberal media may tell you.  so what next? just leave and not help them rebuild and reconstruct?  that would just lead to perpetual anarchy and make problems even worse...these so called insurgents as the media calls them are nothing but suicide bombing, homicidal, maniacal terrorists...we must help the people of iraq build themselves to a level so that they can sustain a decent way of life on their own, no matter what form of government they may choose, and without the constant threat of terrorist "insurgents" who want nothing more than to oppress and murder anyone who may disagree with them.  after 911, i knew that we were in it for the long haul, and i think that that is what a lot of people may not understand...people want to see results fast, convienience is king in the westernized world...but this is a serious issue that has been going on for decades, and is an issue that will take decades to fix.  zarqarwi (sp?) was iraq's leading terrorist and we took him out...that is progress...and what does the liberal media do? they actually have the gall to question whether his death was necessary...it just tells me that no matter what is right, its all about what will get you power in american politics....ahhh it pisses me off that people cant see through the intricate fabric of bullshit that the left has clouded this country with...anyhoo....its not about the present..its about the future...you may not understand now, but hopefully you'll realize later.
10894
first problem would be where to drop the Nuke, there is no center of activity for the terrorists, they move around, and there are many factions, one faction may be completely obliterated another may give themselves up but there are always more.\nSecond problem is that they dont have one leader, one person they will follow, in WWII there was a leader, the primeminister of Japan, he surrendered and the rest of the country did. In Iraq, Saddam is captured but they still fight, so this is obvious that they wont give up.\nThird, if you drop nukes on the offending areas (areas with insurgents) it will turn the Middle East's opinion against us(we would be dropping the bomb on Sunni areas and the majority of Middle Easterners are Sunni*) this would not be good at all for overall US policy in the area, the US would lose barganing power with any other Middle Eastern country\n\n*there are different factions of Muslims, Sunnis are the majority in the area, but Shittes are the majority in Iraq and the Shittes were oppressed by Saddam, that is why the Shitte areas are not violent as of now in Iraq
210807
I think the way the whole thing was approached has been a complete disgrace.\n\nThe objective was to remove Sadaam Hussein as he was seen as a threat to world peace.  Wheteher it's right to remove a leader of a country is a different matter - personally in this case I think it was.\n\nBut how can removing one person result in the deaths of thousands and thousands of innocent civilians and leave the country on the brink of civil war.\n\nIf they wanted Sadaam out why not send in small crack teams with the objective of removing him or was the whole thing more about gaining control in the country, installing an acceptable political system, having a foothold in the Middle East and securing oil interests.
974740
The American Gov. helped get Saddam in power there so they could have control over Oil...Then due to the great wealth amassed by Iraq due to oil revenue, SADDAM got carried away with his riches..His people went without and he spoiled himself and his followers...Those that tried for Justice were killed off.Whole communities were wiped out...And it would be still going on today had Saddam not believed he could take on the USA...Saddam turned on the Nation that bought his country from the Dark Ages into one of the richest countries on Earth..Now we have to Silence (Kill) him before he lets the rest of the worl know what he had to do for AMERICA when he was a dictator.
687811
I would have been thinking about it less if we had just left well enough alone, if the people of Iraq wanted Saddam out of power then they should have been the ones to do something about it, to many American lives have been lost, not to mention the stain on our budget for people that continue to blow us up.
924672
They don't seem to want it because you only hear one side of the story. A strong democracy in Iraq could change the face of the Middle East, and both sides know it. This is why the course will be stayed, and why the terrorists are fighting so hard against it. Iraq could easily become the model in which all other countries in the region aspire to be, and it could significantly reduce, or even eliminate global terrorism.
866779
First of all,they DON'T want to be occupied by anybody. \n Second, you have three different cultures still trying to be the ones in control of everything.\n The Sunnis want Saddam back in power.\n The Kurds in Iraq want to unite with the Kurds in Turkey to make their own state. Do you really believe that Iraq and Turkey are going to surrender land for this? Hold your breath on that one.\n And last but not least,you have the Shiites who don't trust fellow Iraqis much less  foreigners.\n These people were used to having some a**hole standing on a balcony telling them how great they are and how they need to wipe out the Jews and American interlopers who just want their oil.\nIt's going to take another generation before you see significant change in the region.The general population got a taste of Democracy when they voted in the last election,and they seemed to enjoy having a say in their government depspite threats from indurgents.
785407
This is a very good question, and should have been asked by President Bush before he went charging into a country he had no business going into in the first place.\n\nOriginally I would have answered this question under the assumption that it would be someone the United States decided would be able to play both sides of the political fence.  Someone who would appear to be acting in the best interests of Iraqis, while remembering and acting in the best interests of the country that put them in power; United States.\n\nLately, however, I think the answer is very diferent.  First of all because I think the United States has lost any control of the situation it might have had at one points and I think it has come to the point now where Iraq has clearly demonstrated that it does not want the kind of democracy that the United States would like to impose on it.  The power will ultimately end up in the hands of the clerics that are still fighting over power.  I no longer believe a democracy is possible in Iraq. That is the fault of the United States. The very thing that the United States saught to bring to the Iraqi people is being taken away from them by the very presence of the United States. Democracy is now being associated with the bloodshed and horrible living conditions that have been brought about by the United States invasion of Iraq, and although the United States is far from what is an ideal Democracy, it remains the symbol of democracy by it's own pompous proclimations. People don't want any part of that.  Although there are many advantages of Democracy, the Iraqi people are not seeing it.  They see only the downside of what the West has to offer.
221523
Bad leadership.  \n\nOur leaders believed they were doing a good thing by getting rid of Saddam so that you could rule yourselves.  But it seems that the people are not mature enough to do that yet.
773951
It's a bit late to reinstate Saddam, but maybe now stupid Americans can understand why he was a successful ruler.   As for him gassing Kurds....well DUH, they were his political enemies, and that's what dictators do: they destroy their opponents.   I'd like to add that as many as 600,000 Iraqi civiilans have died in the present conflict, so what's worse?   To be destroyed by your own government, or a foreign invader?
785411
In what way? I see it as war that over threw a dictator, being used to  cover up religious conflict  masquerading as a political issue.\nThe Shites have the power now ,the Sunni's want it\nback and both figure they have Allah on their side. \nStrange they all pray to the same God and kill each other\nin his name. Neither is willing to stop killing civilians as the both love the media coverage of their side getting out. Iran which is mainly Shite is loving the new peace plan that puts them smack in the middle for a take over like Syria has in Lebanon.\n\nSaddam was evil but at least now we can have a glimmer of understanding into why he ruled with such an iron fist. Keep the people down, hopeless and threaten their very existence and they won't kill each other.  Twisted but it worked.
868381
We should leave them alone.  Or perhaps you might be suggesting we enslave them, in a figurative sense of the word, by forcing them to live like westerners.  We may have the best system here in the west, but it is obvious, like in Iraq, that not all people are cut out to make a democracy work.  Interference would mean more war and more reconstruction.  Things are moving slow enough in Iraq, we really don't need to expand on our problems.
848571
Thats a very utopian idea, my dear.A dictator who would rule with a strict hand also be a kind hearted human, they are extremely rare.Ask the iraqi ppl.\nWhat we do need, is for the public to wake up, the people need to realise that as long as they let things be the way they, things will continue.Like rang de basanti said, our generation needs to awaken and take it into our hands to bring about a change.
980482
The big concern I have is not so much when, but how it will be resolved.\n\nSuddenly, we see the Iraqi government cozinging up to the Syrian government.  Suddenly, after 23 years, they are ready to patch up the problems they've had with Syria. You know the Syrians, they're the ones coaxing Hezbollah to go to Lebanon and destroy their government, anyway that they can.  Even assassinate their government officials until the Lebanese government capitulates.  And, what's with the Iraqi's, have they decided it's time they patched things up with Syria, before the US pulls up stakes?  They won't have their big brother standing behind them anymore, protecting them from the neighborhood bully!\nThese are the same Syrians that send in arms, ammunitions, and jihadists to kill Americans, in Iraq.  More Americans have been killed by Syria's surrogates than from any other source.  Now, Syria is putting on the full court press with the US for a timetable for their pullout.  Has this enemy's government been emboldened because of the democrats coming to power?\n\nHas the US completely lost it's stones that it will allow this hoodlum el Assad to start throwing his weight around.  This sorry bastard won't be happy until Israel drops one right down his throat, because maybe the US has lost it's courage, but I seriously doubt that Israel has.  \n\nThe Arab world is frustrated with the US because it claims the US doesn't understand the Arabs.  In the direction the Arabs are going, they will cause an escalation of hostilities, then they will understand, it is them who is confused about the US and it's courage and resolve!\n\nIsrael will not let Hezbollah gain power in Lebanon, nor will it let Hezbollah re-arm to the point that it will be capable of launching round #2, even to the point that Syria must be neutralized, too!
761513
Dividing between the Sunni and Shia/Kurd will not work.  The majority of oil wealth is in the Shia and Kurd areas and the Sunni would not let themselves be cut out.  This has already been proposed (Federalist states for each of the three) and been rejected by the Sunni.\n\nI agree in general with your assessment of the situation and see no really workable solution since I do not believe that the Islamic religious leaders will ever allow any form of democracy to work.  I think we will eventually see another Islamic Theocracy in Iraq.