Iraq is like Vietnam
So -- for what it's worth -- says Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, one of the leading foreign-policy minds in Congress (see here).
That may or may not be true, but what to do? As I've said recently, I do not support the withdrawal of troops (i.e., essentially giving up), since any such Vietnam-style evacuation, any such symbol of American defeat, could plunge Iraq into instantaneous and likely long-term chaos. However, it's clear that the Bush Administration has no idea what it's doing in Iraq and is shifting its rhetoric in preparation for the handover of responsibility to Iraqis (whether they like it, or are prepared for it, or not) and for a large-scale withdrawal sooner rather than later, perhaps before the 2006 mid-terms.
A stategy to win would be nice, but who has one?
Iraq may be like Vietnam, but that doesn't mean it is Vietnam. Or have we already predetermined a Vietnam-like outcome?
That may or may not be true, but what to do? As I've said recently, I do not support the withdrawal of troops (i.e., essentially giving up), since any such Vietnam-style evacuation, any such symbol of American defeat, could plunge Iraq into instantaneous and likely long-term chaos. However, it's clear that the Bush Administration has no idea what it's doing in Iraq and is shifting its rhetoric in preparation for the handover of responsibility to Iraqis (whether they like it, or are prepared for it, or not) and for a large-scale withdrawal sooner rather than later, perhaps before the 2006 mid-terms.
A stategy to win would be nice, but who has one?
Iraq may be like Vietnam, but that doesn't mean it is Vietnam. Or have we already predetermined a Vietnam-like outcome?
posted by Michael J.W. Stickings at
11:57 PM
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