<Why should we care what the heck Iraq does as long as they:
1. Remain a united country;
2. Don't train terrorists or develop WMDs;
3. Don't attack another country; and
4. Don't try to wipe out any Iraqi minorities.>
Those are not the stated goals of the U.S. government.
1 and 4 are stated goals.
Administration officials have stated they will not allow an Islamist government to take power, as they define that as "undemocratic".
They will also not allow a pro-Iranian, or pro-Syrian government to take power.
And, although they are being coy about it, they want a permanent U.S. military presence in Iraq, so I doubt they allow an Iraqi government that asks us to leave.
Goal 2: We have just made a cease-fire with a terrorist organization in Iraq, which allows them to keep their weapons and bases adjacent to Iran. Since this group of terrorists is anti-Iran, we find this useful. "Terrorist" is not just my label, it is the label the U.S. government has given this group. Presumably, they will continue their campaign to assasinate Iranians whose politics they disagree with, as they have been doing for many years. So, the decision has been made, to allow terrorist training and recruiting and activity to go on in Iraq, as long as it serves our interests.
Goal 3: It is the stated goal, to use Iraq as a base to exert influence in the region. If the Iraqi government allows us to do this, then they are complicit in any attacks, or threats of attack, that we do against Iran or Syria from their territory. |
