The war in Iraq perfectly illustrates why Americans should not be committed to fighting on behalf of others, who aren’t American. If Iraq is to be pacified, it must come under the umbrella of Iraq’s security forces, such as they are. While the people of Iraq may have once rejoiced as our forces toppled the tyrannical regime of Saddam Hussein, it has become increasingly apparent, that there can be no true peace in Iraq along as there is a foreign military presence, no matter how noble the cause may be. Democracy cannot be imposed upon another nation, they must embrace it from within. The question remains whether the Iraqis are eager to embrace democracy, but it is certainly clear that they will gladly accept the killing of Americans at the drop of a hat.

The US must, once and for all abandon the role of global policeman; it doesn’t fit with our character, nor is it reasonable to expect long term success, especially in an era where every single casualty is micro-analyzed by an overzealous media eager to bring down the president by any means. While it is clear, to rational and objective minds that Saddam was a threat, it is questionable whether a massive invasion was the necessary course, when more covert or surgical options were available.

There are some on the left who argue that the war was concocted for oil or other outrageous claims, such arguments are devoid of fact or reason. Nonetheless, the war has been managed poorly in a style reminiscent of LBJ’s Vietnam micromanagement.

With so much at stake now, the question is what to do? Clearly the present course has failed to render the desired results. Remaining in Iraq as we are will only lead to the further effusion of blood, with Iraq no closer to democracy than they were 3 years ago. If we cut and run as the Democrats demand, Iraq will quickly drift into lawlessness, but then again when was the rule of law ever embraced in Iraq? A withdrawal from Iraq will undeniably be viewed as surrender and weakness, on this count the president is correct, just as Israel’s unilateral withdrawal from the occupied territories has been manipulated by the extremists there. Regardless of its appearance, withdrawal may soon become a bitter pill that the US may have to accept, chalked up as a lesson learned.

In the future the US should be more prudent in its use of force and in accordance with the Powel doctrine, when force is needed, bring an overwhelming military force capable of destroying an enemy and securing the peace quickly. Rosy predictions of quick victories are usually meaningless and when one promises “shock and awe” one had better deliver. In the wake of an Iraq pullout, be it today, next month or next year, one can rest assured that the terrorists will rejoice, but if wise heads prevail, that moment can be used to strengthen our capabilities in intelligence and clandestine operations and overwhelming military capability to strike at terrorists quickly and massively. Peace through strength is the lesson we must learn, but a hard lesson for sure.
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=2590134
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6066578.stm
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20614792-601,00.html
http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1769674.htm
http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/World/2006/10/20/2077604-sun.html