Baker-Hamilton Report

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Before the report, everyone anticipated answer to one question; what should America do in Iraq?

Baker-Hamilton report suggests President Bush to do what he has denied for over three years, start reducing force and leave, but it seems that President is reluctant to do so. Stay the course and adding more troops is not working, as the fight is more between civilians and American troops are caught in the middle. Moreover, recent polls suggest that American troops are causing hostilities and their support to stay in Iraq is waning.

Even if they leave, is Iraq going to miraculously fix itself? I doubt it, more civilian violence will take place and militia such as Muqtada al-Sadar will take control of the country even further. Muqtada, along with other influential people have the grip on Iraq, even the President Al-Maliki refuses to denounce Hezbollah because of fear of loosing support, goes on to show the gap between what America wants Iraq to be. It does not seem likely that Iraq will go on to be an ally for America in the Middle East, something they wanted from start.

So, what America should do in Iraq?

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Re: Baker Hamilton Report

That is SUCH a difficult question!

We went in, made a HUGE mess and cant leave (that would make things worse) and we cant stay cause that ALSO makes things worse! GOOD JOB Baby Bush!!!

Perhaps .... (with my rose colored glasses on) the best thing would be to provide lots of funds for a neutral and acceptable-to-all force of people to come in and get them organized, get a peaceful govt going....

something along those lines (even tho I doubt it would ever happen) is the best hope for peace and prosperity over there

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^ Why blame Bush? 80% of Americans (or some absurdly high number) thought the war was just a swell idea. Even though it was obvious the evidence they had to go to war was flimsy...and that Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11.

No, the Ameircan public was behind the war to begin with...and now that the going gets tough, they want to back out. On this I'll give neo-cons credit...they at least stick to their guns. Rumsfield siad from day one this would not be easy...that even three years down the road would be too early to talk of time tables for withdrawls. He even at one point indicated that it could be a decade before Ameircan troops came home.

At least he got fired...but what about the public that so cleary gave the mandate for war?

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** Iraq president rejects Baker-Hamilton report**

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) – Iraqi President Jalal Talabani rejected the Iraq Study Group’s report Sunday, calling it “very dangerous” to Iraq’s sovereignty and constitution.

“We can smell in it the attitude of James Baker,” Talabani said, referring to the report’s co-chair who served as secretary of state under President George H. W. Bush during the 1991 Iraq war.

Talabani blamed Baker for leaving then-Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein in power after that conflict, which ousted Iraqi troops from Kuwait.

He also criticized the report for recommending a law that would allow thousands of former officials from Hussein’s ousted Baath party to serve in Iraqi government posts.

The report, released Wednesday, makes 79 recommendations. Among them: Most U.S. combat troops should be withdrawn by early 2008, Iraq’s vast oil wealth should be more centralized and the U.S. should launch a diplomatic offensive that would include seeking help from Iran and Syria.

“As a whole, I reject this report,” Talabani said.

“I think that Baker-Hamilton is not fair, is not just, and it contains some very dangerous articles which undermine the sovereignty of Iraq and the constitution,” Talabani said.

Lee Hamilton, the report’s other co-chair, also served as vice chairman of the 911 Commission, which concluded that the U.S. remains ill-prepared for another terrorist attack.

More here

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tabbani is so vague in what is so much against iraqs soveriegnt and all.
I know he is reacting to the iclusion of former bath party members, and concerned with his own grip on power.
the engagement with syria and Iran could trouble him as well.

but what are his own ideas?

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Re: Baker Hamilton Report

It is about intentions, Americans wanted to free people of Iraq from Saddam Hussain’s rule, so did other leaders and United Nation. It is the Bush Adminstration who rejected all the help that was on their table from domestic ideas to International political support.

Right now it is about REALITY, which is no body is helping the people of Iraq, including Muslim nations and these same American people are the only one looking interested in fixing the whole country.

The responses to the report are the most surprising to me, as most of the people expected and trusted it to help them. Now they make really good suggestions and people ‘cut and run’.

Karma's Awesome Service
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Actually, it was pretty much just the anglo speaking countries...

If it was about intentions, then let's give Rummy props...he intended to go in, clear house in a week, and have democracy spread all over the ME as a result of the invasion...and everyone would be singing Kumbaya...

What's the saying about the road to hell?

The fact is, the reality of the war was obvious to begin with...and so my question stands...all this talk of responsibility is fine and dandy, but the American people (if we're to believe the democratic process is real) gave the administration the mandate to go into Iraq. Where does the buck stop? You can't punish Rummy just because he tried and failed...not when the hard choice was going in to begin with.

Sorry, if the power rests with the people, then so too does the responsibility. To any American who supported the war, they need to put up or shut up. They have no business being angry at Rummy or Bush. They're a part of the problem...

[quote]

Right now it is about REALITY, which is no body is helping the people of Iraq, including Muslim nations and these same American people are the only one looking interested in fixing the whole country.

[/quote]

Two cliches come to mind. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. But if you break it, you bought it.

Muslim nations didn't break anything...they're broken to begin with. They're the ones who were saying DO NOT go in, you'll make matters worse. Not just the governments, but overwhelmingly the people.

The bottom line is that the anti-war protesters were right...nothing they say is in hindsight...but they have been saying the same thing since day one. Democracy will not spread (in fact, the only places it seems to be spreading is in places like Algeria, the west bank, and leb...which had nothing to do with the Iraq war), Iraq will become the new Afghanistan, the sectarian situation will come to the fore and make things worse, and so on and so on.

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Even if majority in the USA support troops coming back home they cannot just pull out. as with any other occupation it is not just Bush's word but the interests of many other people (corporations etc) tied in with the occupation of Iraq. Even if Bush realizes his mistake and wants to leave Iraq he might not be able to do so right away.

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Americans are taking the responsibility that is why they are spending billions of dollars weekly. They are taking liability that is why there is a debate in the country. They are taking accountability that is why they held their Congress responsible in the last elections. They are showing responsibility that is why there is a censure of the conduct of Iraq. They want to fix the country but the problem with Muslim nations and other countries is that they are unwilling to bring their hand forward and help fix Iraq. For them sit there and say “I told you so” is more important than helping the people of Iraq.

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ok, mwp, what do you think at this point is what the country needs? I am NOT being mean here....I think some good ideas are what is needed now. We can worry about blame later on. but heck lets fix this utter mess yeah? It doesnt do anyone any good at all to go over and over what a huge mistake US made...fact is - mistake was made, huge mess was made. NOW, how to clean it up? My answer (above) would just get laughed at...so what ELSE would work???

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what mistake is w making that his dad also made?

they did not pull out in time

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lol, rotfl mr f!! thats the most profoundest thing I've heard on this subject!!

but still...

sadly, here we ARE. Where to go from here?

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The only problem is that leaders of Iran, Iraq and America are not on the same page, which is why we have problems like Iran, Iraq and Lebanon. Until all these leaders get on the same page, I think Iraqis will become the next Palestinians of Middle East and die for everyone’s sob stories.

You have to delegate responsibilities just like Bush Senior did in first Gulf War where Arab countries knew that Saddam had to be defeated. Now replace Saddam with extremists, right now they are being funded by the same countries.

Bringing neutral forces will not help as most of them will be NATO. First they do not have much experience in civil war situations; second they are non-Muslims forces thus becoming automatic targets of extremists and terrorists, third you have to set a timetable for them and most of the countries in Europe will not be sending their troops for long haul.

United States have to think about pulling out because in case Iran goes nuts, North Korea thinks of invading or Cuba unsettles, America does not have forces to tackle those problems. America will be in jeopardy, right now they have ALL of their eggs in the same basket and they are breaking by the day.

~~~ Missing someone ~~~
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forget about america for a moment and look at Iraq....it is a country desperately in need. what would make it better? WHO could make it better? If USA just pulls out but throws tons of money at them for re-development I think that would tend to just make things worse. So what to do from here? Its just so maddening that all you hear is about how evil USA is and all the troubles that were created over there. YES YES YES. That is true. And I think the republican party has hell to pay over the whole thing. But we have to get beyond that now so that things can move on over there. I dont KNOW what or how to make things better but then again, I dont see many politicians or anyone else coming up with any useful suggestions either. SOMEONE should take the reins over there, someone who is acceptable to all the different warring factions....does such a one (or ones) exist? Is it at all possible? SHould the country be divided somehow into different countries for the different tribes? Any good answers out there?

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America has to pull out but after Iraq politically calm down and it cannot be done by throwing money or an army. You need fellow Arab countries who will tell their brothers in Iraq to unify in the name of Iraq and engage in the system.

There is lot of distrust of people in Iraqi government, Arab states and America, the same people who came out in streets to celebrate the end of Saddam rule. Harmony will come when nationally and regionally people will make an effort to stabilize the country.

It is more of a political dog fight rather money or army.