Iraq (undeclared) War: nearly 9 years in duration, 4,476 US military deaths, over 30,000 US military injured, over 1 million US soldiers and National Guard deployed there, and 800 billion American taxpayer dollars expended. Untold Iraqis dead. We finally leave…hated even more. Shame of it all. But, some people/corporations got very rich because we are such slow learners.
Please share widely!
fractures into civil war?
And how about empowering the Shi’ites in a country adjacent to Iran?
Blame the stupidity of the Bush Administration, but let’s not forget the political cowardice of the Democratic opposition that went along to get along.
whose job it was to shine a light into the dark recesses of government and corporate activities. Instead they, for the most part, amplified the lies and fear-mongering.
Lies and fear-mongering = ratings and advertising revenue
The number one beneficiary is obviously Iran, who gets a Shi’ite ally. Number two would be the war profiteers who reaped billions of dollars in profits.
In 2002 Barack Obama, still a state senator, issues a profoundly insightful statement in opposition, a statement that predicted, with incredible accuracy, the disaster that would result.
This year, the Arab Spring showed the world the right way to deal with tyrants like Saddam Hussein.
Increasing the influence of Iran might be the result, and is the likely result, but it is also too soon to say that it is the result. This is primarily because the Iraqi shia leaders seem to have been closer to Iran when things were looking more like a civil war, but don’t necessarily seem to wish to take orders from the Supreme Leader. I guess time will tell.
Good results here would be despite the American intervention, rather than because of it.
In the meantime, let us hope that the Sunnis realize that civil war will greatly shift regional power in favor of Iran, and that Iraqi shias realize that civil war will likely incorporate them into the Iranian police state.
Beginning with the nonjudicial act of the Supreme Court in Bush v. Gore, which led to the smash-doctrine Bush Administration and the Iraq War, the decimation of the middle class, and the profound and growing disconnect between the polity and the people.
There has not been a single good thing about it. And it is not over yet.
I fear you’re right. How will the cards be played now? Invade Pakistan? Iran? Syria? African countries?
Or here.
I understand the President will sign the National Defense Authorization Act today, the 222nd anniversary of the Bill of Rights. (They really know how to rub our noses in it, don’t they?) The Army is gearing up for the event so decide if you want to be the hammer or the nail. If you can’t get a piece of the Army action, at least start watching and taking notes on your friends, relatives, neighbors – you never know when it can come in handy.
We’re all Iraqis now.
“A state of war only serves as an excuse for domestic tyranny.” –Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
The only time Ds and Rs can agree on anything is when it comes to taking away civil liberties… and compromising the safety net…. and blowing off the environment.
The history of your country is filled with sorry chapters in its decline, most of which are eventually followed by stirring chapters in its rise.
otoh I do not believe success is guaranteed by history. Indeed the history of empires suggests the opposite.