"I haven't made any decisions about troop increases or troop decreases, and won't until I hear from a variety of sources." President George W. Bush said at a joint Press Conference with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. His visit to Indonesia, the most Muslim populated country in the world, was flanked by protests against the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. President Bush said that the protests were a sign of a healthy democracy.
I think this is important that he is awaiting a final decision after hearing from all his sources. Something that he and Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld should have done from the very beginning. Whether or not he takes the appropriate advice from his informants is yet to be determined. However I think within six month we will see a turning point in this war. When pressured about Sen. John McCain's (R-Arizona), call to send more troops to Iraq. Bush responded that all the options are on the table. President Bush, is being very careful about what he does, his goal now is to improve upon his already wounded legacy as a President.
(Photo Courtesy of Reuters)
1 comment:
Initially, Genral Tom Franks and Donald Rumsfeld both pushed the policy of a smalll, mobile, hi-tech military force. Bush and Rumsfeld did hear options from all the sources, they just chose to ignore them.
It is about time that Bush admit his policy has failed and change the way we are fighting in Iraq. I do not know why this sectarian violence is such a surprise.
When we initially invaded Baghdad, we did little to secure the city; specifically allowing Shiite militias to "root out sunni insurgents" [in actuality they were raping and pillaging Sunni neighborhoods], and even providing them with arms to carry out their actions.
Also, we moved through the country too fast, blasting through cities, and allowing these insurgents to double-back behind us.
It is past the time for troop levels to increase in Iraq; the war is already lost. We need to allow Iran, Syria, and Iraq to meet and develop the best strategy for the stability of the region.
Though I have never really supported the policy of cut and run, it seems that this incompetent administration has forced us to do so. I do not believe that if we leave, the terrorists will follow.
The largest attraction of foreign fighters to Iraq is the presence of the gentile (non-muslims) in Arab territory. If we pull American troops out of Iraq, the flow of foreign fighters will decrease tremendously. One must remember, it was the presence of American troops in Saudi Arabia that caused Osama Bin Laden to start his holy war against the United States.
These poeple do not view themselves as Iraqi's, but rather as Shia's, Kurds, and Sunnni's. According to the Quran, ones loyalty to Islam supercedes ones loyalty to their country.
A civil war is not necesarily a bad thing; the two sides will fight, one side will be victorious, a national figure will arise and take control of the country.
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