Posted on 04/09/2008 10:21:13 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
Five years after Saddam Hussein was toppled from power, Iraq and the U.S. face important choices for their future relationship – choices that will have profound long-term ramifications for both countries.
Iraq, freed from a ruthless dictatorship, has chosen plurality, democracy and federalism as a system of government. It is struggling to implement them against a formidable set of internal and external challenges. The leaders of the new Iraq must further demonstrate resolve to defend their choices and rise above parochial interests.
Having intervened and committed itself so deeply, the U.S. is debating the level and cost of its engagement. I submit that it cannot afford to lose this fight to its enemies. The destinies of the U.S. and Iraq have become intertwined and their national interests very closely linked.
The big test for Iraq is to find the necessary internal accommodations between competing political interests, enabling the country to keep outside interference at bay and ensure its internal cohesion and national unity. The big test for the U.S. is to maintain its resolve while adjusting its tactics and policies to achieve success in Iraq.
Those who see only serious problems within the Iraqi government and society miss the point. Iraqis are the first to admit to their shortcomings. What is important is that they are determined to overcome them. They also know it will be a long and painful process of incremental progress, punctuated by setbacks.
Those who argue that Iraq is fractured and hopelessly broken – a Humpty Dumpty that can never be put together again – are wrong. Many countries have experienced great difficulties and emerged united and strong. Iraqi national identity has been weakened, but it is alive and kicking, and will embarrass all of those who rushed to write its obituary.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
fyi
Thanks E. G’night all.
I have a dream. Iraq is secure and pays back a fortune and the libs scream, “ What about the interest?”
bttt
Agreed, another Free country thanks to U.S. Forces.
Iraqis are patriotic souls and they yearn for freedom and security.
I love to hear them complain about their government, which they do with great gusto. They didn't dare even hint at such a thing in the past.
When they rail on about their leaders, I remind them that if they don't like them, they get a chance to replace them every four years. This part is still very new to them. Realization dawns when I remind them...that they can fire their leaders with purple fingers if they aren't doing the job they were elected to do.
Iraq's going to work and it's going to be fine.
Interesting. A country’s view of itself is critical to how it conducts itself. That is why the hate America crowd is so dangerous.
I think it is time for our President and the military to ask the oil barrons, in the Iraq government, to lend us some oil like we lend them our GI - a debt to be paid for freedom. Enough of the capitalist mentality - drive down the oil prices by GIVING America a million barrels a month for 5 years - this is a fair price for future stablity.
Phillipines.
Nicaragua
Colombia
Marshall Islands.
Gilbert Islands.
Cuba.
Grenada
Kuwait
Umm. I don’t think Cuba qualifies for Free Country status yet.
Can you please let me and my co-worker know why the American Flag patch on the Marines uniform is worn backwards. My co-workers son was just sworn in yesterday, he is heading to FT. Sill.
The Iraqis are more patriotic than half of this country!
http://www.kirotv.com/video/15647913/index.html
Iraqis celebrate 5-year anniversary of Iraq war ^
Quagmire, eh libs?
Outstanding graphic!
We liberated it from the Spainish....then Castro came along....
Excellent Graphic....got another place to show it.
Um....after liberation from Spain, Cuba was a democracy. What happened after Castro took control does not erase the deeds done there.
Neither did this guy:
http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=9145258
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