Posted on 01/09/2014 12:22:25 PM PST by Kaslin
The plan is to set up a trans-Sunni state in Western Iraq that boarder Eastern Territories they control in Syria. BTW, the Kurds are virtually their own country and Kurds provisionally control territories in Syria.
The only thing holding back Al Queda is they are back to their old ways, torturing and imposing strict Sharia Law. Remember that even OBL told Al Queda in Iraq to tone it done because they were turning off the masses. This puts tribal leader in the leadership position and last line of defense. They don't like Maliki and they don't like Al Queda. If the two can come to terms, the trans-Sunni state in Syria and Iraq will happen.
Fallujah. What keeps coming to my mind is the Lion of Fallujah, Douglas Zembiec. Im also mindful of two local Marines killed in nearby Ramadi. Im of another generation if not two but I was privileged to serve with Marines of equal stature and sacrifice. Though their service is remembered around homes and squad bays, low-life trash politicians make me question the price.
bttt
A short-sighted opinion that neglects to point out how the critical investments in Iraq were squandered and abandoned.
I am retired military, and retired long before 911 so I had no active part in any of this. The closest I got was stateside support for Desert Shield. I cannot begin to fathom the sacrifice that so many men (and their families) made for the sake of the war in Iraq. Not too long after the battle of Fallujah I happened to meet two young fellows who took part in it. I cannot describe their mood while haltingly talking about it.
I have nothing but admiration for those who gave their last full measure of devotion, and those who risked their lives and the well being of their families. And for the families who sent their familly members to fight in that struggle.
I have nothing but total, utter, infinite, contempt for those who undermined the sacrifices. I cannot go any further than that without compromising Christian ethics and the code of this web site.
Of course they were squandered. The goal, to remove Saddam, and to replace him with something better was always a pipe dream. As for the WMD, which were the original justification for the war and were used to scare the American people into accepting the invasion, they weren’t found. Now whether you believe they were whisked away to some other country doesn’t matter. The objective of finding WMD, if there, was not accomplished.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.