Iraq

[apacheguy]

http://www.armytimes.com/article/20140619/NEWS05/306190049/Report-U-S-send-100-Green-Berets-train-Iraqis

 

Anyone think this is too little, too late?

[Velocity173]

We spent what, 8 yrs of training and advising them. Why would it all have effect now?

 

You hear a lot of conflict from vets who were there. Why were we there if this was going to happen? Why did we pull out so early? Was it worth it? Etc, etc. Well, quite simply that's war. It doesn't always end in a neat little package where all sides are happy. You fight the war you're given and leave it to the politicians to worry about the aftermath.

 

I knew this would happen way back in 2004 when I was there. Same thing that will happen in Afghanistan. These are regions that have groups struggling for power and just a general distain for one another based on religious beliefs. It's a situation that's not much different than a Somalia where you have warring militias fighting to get on top. All we did in both wars was take one corrupt government out and insert another corrupt one in.

 

I believe the effort we made in both countries was a noble one but if their own people can't get along, it's a lost cause. I really feel bad for the common citizen there who doesn't care about politics, they're just trying to go about their daily lives. It's a country without a common purpose and clear leadership.

Edited June 22, 2014 by Velocity173

[BH206L3]

The Kurds seem to have there act together- they are about the only ones in that region that is worth a dam. Its China and Russia's problem now they got all the Oil contracts. Looks like they will both take it in the shorts. These jack wads were given a real gift, and well they choose to just chuck it for the 7th century. Ok, its time for some adults to run the show here at home, first thing apologize to the Canadians about the foot dragging and approve and build XL pipe line, go full bore on drilling were we know there is oil, build a dozen more refineries at least and more power plants for electricity. This will do a few things, create jobs and keep the refined product for ours and Canada's consumption, any thing we don't consume or if we run out of storage space - then sell to the jack wads at what the market will bear. This is just common sense from a guy who didn't have the grades for Harvard or Yale. And as for the rest of them, well Find them Fix them and well Kill them. And no catch and release BS. There is a lot of hard work ahead of us.

[Joe_P148]

Too little to late and not our problem anymore.

 

Our strategy at this point should be isolating and or exterminating the extremists in that portion of the world.

 

As far as I'm concerned, we have given the Iraqi government millions of dollars in military equipment and training for the last decade. The Iraqis straight up failed. The problems lies at the fact that there is deep imbedded hatred between Sunni and Shia tribes that no amount of money, training or air strikes will suppress.

 

So at this point we should focus on our own security in a indirect way, I.e. Drone strikes and clandestine ops and not send in our uniformed forces as "advisors". Because, if 300,000 soldiers during the surge in 06 couldn't help the Iraqi Army, how will 300?

 

I agree Afghanistan will end up the same way. Although I'm upset that we spent all that time there, we can't hold the Iraqi and afghans hands through everything. 30,000 soldiers in Mosul surrendered to 800 insurgents, that's absolute bull sh*t and reinforces the fact that it's just not our problem.