So what the fuck is the PLAN? Does anybody in the White House have a brain or a clue?
John | 02.15.07 - 9:39 pm | #

No, I don't think they have a clue. Which is scary because we elected these idiots.
Joe on 13th | 02.15.07 - 9:53 pm | #

I never understood the US policy. Now I understand that is cannot be understood.
Don | 02.15.07 - 10:43 pm | #

I agree with your point regarding Iran, the weapons Iran supplies to Iraqi Shiites are most likely being used in the Civil War against the Sunnis. Bush once again is bullshiting everyone. However, I think you are off base with the Hamas government. If the U.S. had invaded Palestine and removed the Hamas government then you would have a point. In reality though, U.S. actions tell the world that you are free to elect whomever you wish, but if you elect terrorists then just remember that we are free to not give you any more money.
z | 02.15.07 - 11:48 pm | #

Palestine: we really don't have a dog in this fight. We can only do so much and should do less. Diplomacy seems like a good answer here and economic recognition of a Palestinian state would be a great carrot.

Lebanon: letting Israel invade was a huge mistake. We should have Detla Force'd (or better yet, let Israel uses their special forces) the Hezbollah and had NATO put peacekeepers in the border buffer zone.

Iran: they are more than happy to cause US casualties, even through the hands of heretical Sunnis. Destabilizing Iraq will allow them to sweep up the pieces if we ever leave. They'll finally get revenge for the millions of casualties in the 1980-1988 war.

Saudi Arabia: um, just don't turn your back on them. they are fat and comfortable, but have to walk a razor's edge with he fundamentalists in their country and government.

A good start for us would be to get out of Afghanistan before we need a "troop surge" there. No one has ever conquered and held the country, especially the Afghan/Paskistani border. Then focus on disarming Iraq, as most of the killings are sectarian/revenge killings and not organized resistance to the occupation. Our dozen casualties a day pale in comparision to the 50+ Iraqi deaths.
Closing the border with Syria and Iran will be tough, but that needs to be a priority by the end of the year. And then we need to get out, back home and not just to bases in Kuwait and Turkey and former Soviet satellite states.
Private contractors will have to abide by performance agreements or be fined. Losing at least 15% of the money we spend with American companies to "spoilage" is BS, even by Pentagon standards.
Finally, giving Iraq Favored Nation status for trade would be a great way to pump cash into their crappy governemnt and give it at least some internal loyalty for graft and nepotism.
Area Man | 02.16.07 - 1:39 pm | #