Related Information to Post War Iraq

Post War Iraq - Page 116

SHIA POLICE CARRY OUT REVENGE KILLING SPREE IN IRAQ

Shia policemen seeking revenge for mass bombings in a northern Iraqi town roamed the streets and shot at least 45 men in the back of the head Wednesday, police and hospital officials said.
Ref. www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2007/03/28/shia-revenge-070328.html

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This just makes me sick to read about. How long can all this violence go on? Sooner or later, someone has to say "STOP!" Unfortunately, with Iraq now fully devolved into a civil war, it's obviously just spiraling out of control.

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I agree with you about the sectarian violence Farseer, it really is sickening. Unfortunately the Iraqi police force has been complicit in death squad style attacks since Saddam fell. The wider Iraqi military is also taking part. This has been revealed by several good journalists in Iraq but it has been largely ignored by the mainstream media because they would rather tow the official US/Iraqi line.

The security issue is a major failing not just for the occupying forces, but also for the toothless Iraqi government and the society at large. As I have said before, Iraq does not have a history of serious sectarian disputes. A lot of Iraqis inter-marry. I know this for a fact because I have interviewed several who fled Saddam's regime. I"ve been told a lot of the division is something Saddam generated by his marginalisation of Shiites and Kurds. But it isn't a deep seated hatred between the groups, nor is it really historically based.

Now the violence has flared because there is a power vacuum and there is an opportunity for elements of the Shiite population to cast revenge attacks. It's a situation the US, British and coalition forces cannot address because the very people they train are often the culprits. Unfortunately, a resolution must come within. While I believe there is a role for an international peace keeping forces I don't believe this is a solution.

On the point about US involvement and what impact their leave will have, my honest belief is that it can only benefit the region if US forces were drastically scaled down but not completely removed. It's a fact that Iraqis don't want US troops in their country, they never did.

Bush likes to create this fantasy world that if the US pulls out of Iraq terrorists have won and will come and attack the US. Do the American people honestly believe this?

When was Iraq ever about terrorists? Sure, there are some terrorist remnants in Iraq who are taking advantage of the disaster but it is very much a minority. I have said in another forum that Bush, Blair and Howard use the word 'terrorist" to scare people so that they have a mandate to invade and do whatever they please. It's a political buzz word. Say 'terrorist" and it is ok to murder innocent civilians to achieve your geo-political ambitions. If Bush thinks Iraq is about terrorists then he knows less about the situation than I do, and that is a major embarrassment for a world leader.

Rather off topic, but... Farseer, I think it is extremely disturbing that the US spends 20 percent of GDP on the military, let alone 50 percent. I would like to know how they can possibly justify it. A lot of the money I imagine is being spent on Iraq which lets not forget was an invasion, not a defensive situation. Do you think the 50 percent amount was because it was so close to WWII?

Page 116 Iraq War Post

Breaking News

The U.S. Senate today passed a war spending bill that would require U.S. combat troops to leave Iraq by the end of March 2008, ignoring a veto threat from President Bush.
Ref. CNN

Iraq War Post

Yes, arvhic, I've read about the Iraqi police and military being responsible for some of the carnage over there - probably much more than we read about in the mainstream media, I'm sure.

This whole situation has become such a bloody political mess, not just for America and "Coalition Forces" but for the country of Iraq itself, that I don't see how we're going to get out of it gracefully. On the other hand, I don't see how a continued American presence can prevent the bloodshed going on every day. We can't prevent it now!

There are no easy answers or resolutions to the situation. It's obviously not about terrorism, it's about resources - specifically, oil. As someone has pointed out, if the only Iraqi export were bananas, would we be there? Doubtful.

Rather off topic, but... QUOTE Farseer, I think it is extremely disturbing that the US spends 20 percent of GDP on the military, let alone 50 percent. I would like to know how they can possibly justify it. A lot of the money I imagine is being spent on Iraq which lets not forget was an invasion, not a defensive situation. Do you think the 50 percent amount was because it was so close to WWII? Arvhic, I find it far more disturbing that 60% of our budget is paid out in welfare entitlements! It's no wonder people feel the government owes them their living when so much money is doled out. (This has the feel of a new topic...) I feel certain the high military spending in the 1950's and 1960's had more to do with research and development and the so-called Cold War than with WWII, although perhaps a rebuilding of military resources after WWII may have had something to do with it. Then, of course, came Vietnam...

Arvhic, I find it far more disturbing that 60% of our budget is paid out in welfare entitlements! It's no wonder people feel the government owes them their living when so much money is doled out. (This has the feel of a new topic...)

I feel certain the high military spending in the 1950's and 1960's had more to do with research and development and the so-called Cold War than with WWII, although perhaps a rebuilding of military resources after WWII may have had something to do with it. Then, of course, came Vietnam...

Post War Iraq

Seems to me like Bush is going to blame the Democrats for those that fall in the war? Isn't that a bit late? If anyone sees his speech can they please put a review here.

Post War Iraq - Page 116

CIVILIAN LIFE IN IRAQ 'EVER-WORSENING': RED CROSS REPORT

The situation for civilians in Iraq is "ever-worsening," even though security in some places has improved as a result of stepped-up efforts by U.S.-led multinational forces, the international Red Cross said Wednesday.
Ref. www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2007/04/11/redcross-iraq-070411.html

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U.S. CONSIDERS SENDING 13,000 NEW TROOPS TO IRAQ

U.S. President George W. Bush could send as many as 13,000 new troops to Iraq by the end of the year and extend the deployments of thousands more soldiers currently serving in Iraq.
Ref. www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2007/04/10/iraq-us.html

Post War Iraq Politics Business Civil & History - Page 116

How exciting isn't it? That is three more months that the terrorists have to take out a few good men that could have been home with their families.