PNAC signatory Fukuyama in NYT: "everything to be regretted" in Iraq

[swag]

Some discussion under way in GD here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4520085

Are we failing in Iraq? That's still unclear. The United States can control the situation militarily as long as it chooses to remain there in force, but our willingness to maintain the personnel levels necessary to stay the course is limited. The all-volunteer Army was never intended to fight a prolonged insurgency, and both the Army and Marine Corps face manpower and morale problems. While public support for staying in Iraq remains stable, powerful operational reasons are likely to drive the administration to lower force levels within the next year.

With the failure to secure Sunni support for the constitution and splits within the Shiite community, it seems increasingly unlikely that a strong and cohesive Iraqi government will be in place anytime soon. Indeed, the problem now will be to prevent Iraq's constituent groups from looking to their own militias rather than to the government for protection. If the United States withdraws prematurely, Iraq will slide into greater chaos. That would set off a chain of unfortunate events that will further damage American credibility around the world and ensure that the United States remains preoccupied with the Middle East to the detriment of other important regions - Asia, for example - for years to come.

We do not know what outcome we will face in Iraq. We do know that four years after 9/11, our whole foreign policy seems destined to rise or fall on the outcome of a war only marginally related to the source of what befell us on that day. There was nothing inevitable about this. There is everything to be regretted about it.

[wtmusic]

1. Yep, I'd say it's "unclear" that we're failing in Iraq

And "powerful operationial reasons" like not enough f*cking troops are likely to drive the administration to lower force levels.

This reminds me of David Brooks' asinine piece in the Sunday NYT, about creating "islands of democracy" and letting them expand outward. Sure, David--anything but admit there's no way out of the hellhole you help us climb into.

[joemurphy]

7. I think the "powerful operational reasons" is doublespeak for

the 2006 midterm elections.

[wtmusic]

8. Could be, but...

lowering troop levels could make things even worse. There's a distinct possibility we could get overrun.

[Freedom_from_Chains]

2. Are we failing in Iraq? That's still unclear

And what exactly is unclear about it. I think it is pretty self-evident that we are getting our clock cleaned and bogged down in a never ending war.

[swag]

3. Point well taken.

[Freedom_from_Chains]

4. Seems pretty straight ahead to me

but apparently half the country doesn't get it.

:nuke:

[swag]

5. Including honey-tongued opportunist academic Op-Ed contributors

who helped get us into the disastrous and needless war. Yes, yes, you are correct.

[Freedom_from_Chains]

6. LOL - Right you are.

[wli]

9. Time to pull out NOW!

Retreat to bases. Airlift out. Timetable 24 hours. NOW!