Yesterday I wrote two posts (here and here that dealt with the SIGIR report on post-war planning for Iraq.
As a point of clarification, I would note that by pointing out the clear failure of post-war planning was not meant to be construed as a statement that I believe that the US should withdraw, or that all is lost in the Iraqi context. I think that it is still possible to construct a stable government there, but I am mightily disheartened by the squandered opportunities that now lay in the past.
We have an obligation to work with the Iraqis to construct a new system there and I think we should see it out because of that responsibility, and because I do believe it is in the long-term best interest of the United States to do so.
I certainly do think that the administration has badly bungled the policy, however, and that makes me wonder as to whether what hope does still exist at some type of success has much of a foundation.
Still, to paraphrase Colin Powell: we broke it, so we have a long-time obligation to fix it. I remain glad that Saddam is gone, but it is clear that we didn’t plan for what to do after his ouster, and we are reaping that lack of planning at the moment.
I don’t feel any obligation to keep throwing future generation’s treasure and current generation’s lives after a losing cause. If anyone has an obligation here, it is the constituency that supported this administration’s recklessness. Let them pay higher taxes and otherwise bear the burden, and then we can start talking about “obligations.”
Comment by Matthew — Wednesday, March 1, 2025 @ 9:50 am
I take the point. However, I do hve to think that an immediate and toal withdrawalk would have grave security implications for the region and our long-term interests, but it is worth having the discussion, I will grant.
Comment by Dr. Steven Taylor — Wednesday, March 1, 2025 @ 11:10 am
I suppose my own position would be closest to that of Rep. Murtha–that is, the real Murtha position, which was not “immediate and total withdrawal,” as opposed to the version Republicans masterfully spun as Murtha’s alleged proposal.
Comment by Matthew Shugart/Fruits & Votes — Wednesday, March 1, 2025 @ 4:52 pm
Continuing on this theme, I think Suzanne Nossel’s post from Feb. 28 is well worth reading.
Comment by Matthew Shugart/Fruits & Votes — Wednesday, March 1, 2025 @ 8:38 pm