What our other readers have said:
'Stay the course' is nothing new
In a prior post, Curtis Girginoff of Hudson, N.H., said, "The end to conflict will undoubtedly be long and arduous, yet anything worth fighting for always is." I agree.
What makes 'staying the course' difficult for many in the US is that they don't know that what is happening in Iraq now is similar to what happened in the US during (and after) our "War of Independence" and after our Civil War, as well as what happened in Germany and Japan after WWII. Without this perspective, their ignorance of history seems to lead them to offer as solutions schemes that can be shown to be inviable and ill-considered.
Bob Evans, Fort Klamath, Ore., USA
A new 'new way forward'
At the onset of this debacle, the mission was to overthrow Saddam Hussein. We did that. Now our troops are involved in a civil war – not our mission. Bring our troops home. Congress needs the backbone to stop additional funding. The only funding allowed should be for our troops to exit. Now that is a "new way forward"!
Jaire Shocket, New Marlborough, Mass., USA
The American way
The Iraq invasion was a police action looking for Weapons of Mass Destruction. We found none. When our police raid a house and dont't find what they were seeking they promptly leave! They do not stay around and trash the place for 5 years. We invaded based on lies. 80 percent of the Iraqis wanted use to leave (2 years ago) and 60 percent feel that killing our soldiers is justified. Leave now. It's the American way.
Mickey Gulick, Snohomish, Wash., USA
Simple solution
The solution is very simple. Ask the Iranians, Iraqis, Saudis, and Syrians to meet with us and discuss (1) our pullout date, (2) the type of government that the Iraqis want, and (3) the roles that the Iranians, Syrians, and Saudis will play in Iraq after we leave. Once we make it clear that our massive, expensive military bases are not permanent, the climate will change.
Hugh Williams, Frankfurt, Germany
Hold Bush administration accountable
First let's try to put aside the lies and deceit of this self-serving administration that got us to Iraq in the first place. It is naive to think that the long-suffering people will form a (legitimate) government that is friendly to America. Iraq is not America. We have taken a bad situation and made it much worse for the people of Iraq. Use our military on the borders and stop this open-ended, pass-the-buck Bush nonsense. There is a just war on terror in Afghanistan that needs the resources that we are using in Iraq. I would also love to see the Bush administration held accountable for its lies and unconstitutional acts.
Will Collins, Springfield, Va., USA
US presence in unwanted
There was a time when President Bush said he would begin withdrawing American troops if the Iraqis wanted us to leave their country. According to a recent Washington Post poll published a number of weeks ago, that is exactly what they wish. Although Iraq is in extreme turmoil, it is my opinion our presence there is unlikely to facilitate any significant change. The only thing that will, is drawing troops out and beginning a comprehensive dialogue with other countries in the region in order to stabalize the country's fledgling government. Otherwise, we will continue seeing violence, including increased numbers of American military casualties as we begin "The New Way Forward" approach of clearing and attempting to hold neighborhoods in Baghdad.
Eric Tsetsi, Newton, Mass., USA
Begin a gradual pullout
With United States sentiment touching rock bottom, military presence is only continuing to paint the Iraqi government as pro-western, a frightening idea to those who have seen American foreign policy as self-serving for many years. The United States, in order to prevent a sustained conflict, must begin a gradual pullout of troops. At the same time, increased discussion and planning with other regional powers is imperative. It behooves Iran, Saudia Arabia and Syria to see normalized relations and peace within Iraq. Cooperation and reciprocation in the region will lead to an increase in prosperity and equanimity for all. The end to conflict will undoubtedly be long and arduous, yet anything worth fighting for always is.
Curtis Girginoff, Hudson, N.H., USA
It's wrong to just leave
I don't think we should keep troops in Iraq, but we can't just "leave." I believe for moral reasons we can/should give support since we are responsible for the instability in Iraq. Use the money on diplomacy, rebuilding infrastructure, helping refugees find homes (in the US and other countries), and education.
Chardelle Hull, Berwyn, Penn., USA
Let the military do its work
The same slippery slope argument kept us in Vietnam. When we send a military force to war, the journalists and politicians need to be left at home. What we fought since WWII we have lost because of political demands on the military, not because of a superior opposition.
John Fulk, Peachland, N.C., USA
What can we do?
It seems to me that the Iraqi people are being killed whether we're there or not. I say pull out and let them take care of their internal affairs. At least that way our troops aren't dying and our global image isn't suffering.
Andrew Shupp, Fort Wayne, Ind., USA
Support the war and stop blaming the president
We need to support the military and win this war in Iraq. The Democrats and some of the Republicans should stop blaming President Bush – Congress approved going into Iraq. We know Iraq had WMDs as they used them on the Kurds.
George Gilbert, Oxford, Oh., USA
Victory?
Your mission should be to leave before you humiliate yourselves any more.
The emperor has no clothes and the world can see it.
M. Thompson, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
South African mentors?
The US should re-deploy to the borders to guard against further interference from neighboring countries. The oil fields should be secured while determining how those revenues may be protected and apportioned to the various Iraqi interests. All this should be supported by aggressive diplomatic efforts with all parties, including the neighbors, to attempt to forward swift reconciliation. Perhaps countries like South Africa who have had the most success in averting bloodbaths could be enlisted as mentors.
Ellen Dennis, Talent, Ore., USA
Iraq is artificial
The State of Iraq is an artificial construct. Its borders were set by the British, and have no inherent validity. Let Iraq be partitioned along ethnic and religious lines, and pull US troops back to our bases in Qatar and Kuwait.
J. Cline, Alexandria, Va, USA
Stop politics from interfering in the military process.
Albert Ayala, Newman, Calif., USA
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Implement a Marshall Plan
The consequences of the invasion of Iraq must be shared by those responsible for it, particularly in the case of Iraq. Let us remember that the invasion was carried out without international approval and based on a dubious Congressional approval based on fear, deception and lies. The created environment surrounding said Congressional approval was one of fear of terrorist attacks couple to the political pressure of the midterm elections of 2002 to be held a few days later.
The United States should apologize to the Iraqi people, its military forces should start leaving Iraq, and a Marshall Plan financed by the Americans should be put place in Iraq.
Roberto Lara, San José, Costa Rica
Prevent a regional conflict
The US should prevent a regional conflict in the Middle East by de-escalating its troop levels through activities such as manning refugee camps along Iraq's borders, and organizing a regional conference seeking for development aid from neighbors, and seeking a commitment from them not to get involved militarily in Iraq.
Pablo Quintanilla, Cambridge, Mass., USA
Patience
We need to see this through. People don't seem to remember that the American Revolution took eight years and then we still didn't get it right. A solid Islamic democracy in the Middle East is the best key to peace in that region. Getting this thing right is going to take time and money, but in the end it will be worth it. Instant gratification is not going to happen in Iraq.
Jim Kennedy, Ann Arbor, Mich., USA
Control the oil to protect the US
The United States needs to keep troops and bases in Iraq because of the oil. Iraq, Iran, and Saudi Arabia sit on top of an ocean of it. The US can't afford to let all that oil fall into the hands of Jihadists or hostile regimes.
Charles Stubbart, Carbondale, Ill., USA
We need to find a way to transition the occupation into a peacekeeping mission.
Kevin Delaney, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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US accountability is the first step
In order to restore America's credibility and reputation, it is imperative that the Bush administration be held accountable for its serious and grievous improprieties regarding pre-invasion intelligence fraud. There is ample evidence to instigate the launch of a congressional investigation. This needs to be a priority for Congress and the American people. When the people of Iraq and the people of the world see American officials being held accountable for the criminal actions of the US in Iraq, there will then exist some potential for the restoration of stability to Iraq.
Robert Whitlock, Olympia, Wash., USA
Stop the cowboy mentality
Our presence in Iraq has not made it safer. It was poorly planned and executed. This is not the fault of the soldiers. I think we need to find the safest and fastest way to withdraw. Then we can join the rest of the world in trying to find a resolution that does not have the US trying to go in like cowboys to enforce our will.
Marcus Q. Murphy, Keaau, Hawaii, USA
US is not the world's policeman
The US should stop playing policeman to the world. US troops should be replaced by a UN peacekeeping force that will help in orderly transition to a government acceptable to the Iraqis.
Avi Sabavala, Baroda, Gujarat, India
US should get out
We need to get out. We are adding to the fighting. If we get out, someone will win the civil war and then set up their government. We cannot win. Staying will not fix what we broke. Bush should be removed from office. He is dangerous.
Cindy Silva, Edgewood, Calif., USA
Engage Iran
It's important for the United States to engage Iran in talks about Iraq. Iran and the US share an interest in a stable Iraq. Iran fairly claims that it has a right intervene in Iraq just as the United States would claim a right to intervene in Mexico or Canada if a civil war was brewing in either country. It is time we recognize our mutual interest with Iran in Iraq. We do not need more enemies in the Middle East.
David Lindenbach, Salem, Ore., USA
Enough is enough
I think it is past time that we show our troops that we value them, their service and their lives. It was the duty of the Commander in Chief to provide them with a clear plan of action, sufficient training and equipment, and a well-thought-out exit plan... none of which were present in this conflict. The country was rushed to war by this administration with little or no thought to the consequences. The troops are now caught in the middle of a huge mess. My guess is that they are all just trying to stay alive and trying to keep each other alive on a day to day basis. There is no "good way" end to this mess. We should bring our troops home ASAP before any more die. Enough is enough.
M. Dietzer, San Francisco, Calif., USA
Remember Dayton
The US should convene a conference with all parties concerned and strive to apply the lessons of Dayton, Ohio that brought peace a decade ago to Yugoslavia by means of a combination of Confederation and partition. The precedent exists but has not yet been tried in Iraq. It might work. It did in Yugoslavia where the bloodshed has ended. It is worth a try.
David Zohar, Jerusalem, Israel
We have no mission in Iraq other than to leave.
John Mucci, Meredith, N.H., USA
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Defining victory in Iraq
Exactly what would be "winning" the "war" in Iraq? How could the US possibly "win"? It's so subjective, and the vagueness of this concept allows the United States to essentially make Iraq a permanent military base in the Middle East, which is what I think the administration really wants. The longer the "war" goes on, the longer the US can keep massive amounts of military personnel there. Keep in mind that a truly democratic Iraq would probably not elect pro-US leaders.
Joseph Bakshandeh, Los Angeles, Calif., USA
See this through
We can't leave our newfound Iraqi friends to be slaughtered as soon as we leave. We need to see this through now that the decision has been made to act – even if the decision was suspect. To leave now would be even more tragic to the Iraqi and American people.
Rex Posey, Sacramento, Calif., USA
Coercive diplomacy or the use of force
The initial troop surge will only be effective if diplomatic measures are used with it. The time for the additional use of force against any other state in the region will only embolden rising sectarian tensions throughout the region and distance Iran, most likely in a direction that further isolates it from the international community and fuel its ambitions to develop nuclear weapons, which could cause a massive arms race throughout the region.
More obviously, the whip has to be cracked with Iraqi government. The new strategy that is being put in place has to be fully realized. The oil revenues in the state have to be divided more equally. The government should amend its Constitution to allow for a bicameral Legislative branch instead of a unicameral Parliament. A more effective rule of law and judicial system need to be created.
Joshua Mittvick, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
What we should do
1. Host an International Working Summit inclusive of all the key players (which includes people we currently refuse to talk to) in a neutral location to address security and economic development issues.
2. Begin withdrawal of ground forces from Iraq, providing a clear description that the issues in Iraq are Iraqi in nature and must be resolved by Iraqi's themselves. (We can negotiate to allow continued operations to thwart Al Qaeda terrorism)
3. Clearly point out to Iran, Syria and others that their meddling in Iraq is unacceptable, but begin talking with them to influence their decisions and discuss the future of the Middle East via the summit agenda.
Glenn Jackson, Bismarck, No. Dakota, USA
The wrong road
There is an old proverb, "It is never to late to turn around when your are going down the wrong road." From the start Americans who were not blinded by the constant media drumbeats for war knew this was a bad idea and would be a disaster. What should we do? Withdraw gradually, let the Iraqis have their oil, quit trying to dictate who should run the country.
Vernon Norman, Fontana, Calif., USA
