Run

You can spend all the time you want trying to convince someone that the war in Iraq was a good idea. Claim the lies told by Bush, Rumsfeld and Chaney don't matter. The world is a better place without Saddam Hussein. We spent over 2 trillion dollars fighting that war. I'm not as concerned with the wasted money as I am with the 4000+ service men and women who lost their lives. We owe a debt to the family members they left behind we can never repay. What I am going to say about Iraq and the war is in no way intended to tarnish their memory or the service and sacrifice of all who served there.

It is clear, unless you are a complete idiot, that the United States military action in Iraq under President George W. Bush lead to the creation of ISIS. There are claims that President Obama has some responsibility for the problem because he did not leave a residual force in Iraq following the end of the war and subsequent occupation. That claim ignores the fact that the withdrawal of all forces was negotiated by the Bush Administration. Laying blame, however, does nothing to address the issue as it currently confronts the United States. In recent days the Iraqi armed forces lost control of Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province to the forces of the Islamic State. The United States had been using air strikes to support Iraqi armed forces on the ground. When you look at video of what happened you see Iraqi troops in full retreat. Pedal to the metal, tossing uniforms aside, abandoning military equipment retreat. A retreat that would embarrass French troops. The troops turning tail and running had been described as "elite" units of Iraq's armed forces. Most of the equipment abandoned was believed to be in working condition. So we have managed to arm the group we are attempting by proxy to fight. What exactly are the problems? First the Shiite majority does not want to arm the Sunni tribal leaders with weapons to fight ISIS for fear the weapons will be turned on them. The Kurdish forces are willing to fight but have their hands full defending their territory in Iraq. The force that appears most likely to drive ISIS out of Ramadi is the Shiite militia units that are being trained and armed by Iran. Is that where we want to be headed. Providing airstrikes to support Iranian lead militia units in Iraq against fighters from Syria and that civil war. Do we want to be supporting and fighting beside the dictator Bashar al-Assad and the Iranians? Do we fight with all those forces (Syria, Iraq, Iran and ISIS) and attempt additional nation building where all our efforts thus far have lead to our current mess.? If the Iraqi forces are unwilling or unable to fight for their own country then we need to ask and answer one question. What the fuck are we doing there? The Iraqi's ran. I am suggesting we simply walk away. Provide air support and drone attacks to degrade and destroy ISIS leadership and weaponry. No ground troops. No advisors. No boots on the ground. If you won't fight for your own country then we have zero business there. Zero. None.