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I'm the first to admit that people get emotional over the war in Iraq. I think, along with the Vietnam War, this will go down as one of the worst conflicts in American History. Yet it will also be one of the most important conflicts we have participated in and in many ways it has taught us some valuable lessons.

The first lesson is, "Finish what you start." We left Iraq the first time with so many things unfinished, that in itself could be seen as the leading cause for the issues we are dealing with now. If we had finished the job the first time, with the support of the Middle East and the majority of the UN, it would have not cost us as much in both lives and dollars.

Because we were nearsighted the first time, we are now footing the bill for a war that is looking to bankrupt our country. Yet while the country goes bankrupt, the same business' that made money off the cold war are once again making money off this war. The leaders of these companies and the investors are the same people pushing to stay in Iraq, saying finish the job. I think their motives are suspect but I do agree, that to leave before the job is finished will hurt us more in the long run.

The second lesson we learned from this war is, "Check your sources." To many mistakes were made because politicians went off the words of their advisor's with out making sure that the information was valid. It seem's that now the whole "Weapons of Mass Destructions (WMDs)" became more of a hypothesis rather than a fact. No one with an ounce of common sense would doubt whether Saddam was working on WMDs but now we really have to ask just how major of a threat it was to us. Many would agree that taking a little more time to plan would have added to our success in Iraq.

The third lesson is, "Don't get involved in something with out knowing the social dynamics first." We tried to win "Hearts and Minds," based on the assumption that we could apply the same standards of our western culture towards a middle eastern culture. I find it hard to believe that no one ever told the leaders in charge, the Shiites and Sunnis don't like each other at all. Now we find out one of the reasons for stability in the region came from Saddam's iron hand. His tactics seem to be the only thing that kept these people from each other's throats the first time. Not condoning Saddam's actions but just point out a fact.

The fourth lesson is, "Don't spread yourself to thin." Finish one war before getting involved in another conflict. If we had spent a year or two emphasizing an end to the conflict in Afghanistan, the conflict in Iraq might have ended in a whole different way.

I guess that sums up what I was trying to say, I might have missed some things. I am for finishing the job but I'm also for getting our troops out of harms way ASAP too. Limiting the amount of troops we send over there and putting more of the job on the shoulders of the Iraqi Army should be tantamount right now. We'll have to see how things shape up but I don't see an end to this for a long time down the road.

Also remember, hindsight is 20/20. Taking that vision and learning the lessons taught will be the real victory in Iraq.

Sageman's Blog

Beating a Dead Horse....

Sageman

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