<<<Who's arguing that we should do nothing? What I'm saying is that what is being tried is failing, and cannot posibly succeed.>>>
There is no useful precedent for what we are trying in Iraq, so we have no way to measure success in specific terms except by increments -the new government ,electric power-the water, the banks,the jobs and salaries. Work items now being done which can be called success or not.
To avoid being called criminals on the world stage we are spending much money and effort to create an overall success of the new State which will not be known for a long time so is bit early to tell the outcome.
As you note, some attempts will be failures, and a revised plan or action required.
Disarmament is being tried and it seems needed to keep citizens from killing each other with automatic weapons
But certainly there will be much crime, with the inclination to loot ( that is, to steal back from the government) and because of competing religions.
So I accept the idea that no schedule can be presented and no end in plain sight.
I do not worry about the cost- if Iraqi oil is off the market we are hostage to the Saudis and others
Winning the hearts and minds of the Iraqis? It seems these people cannot be bought, as other Arab Nations and Bath party members will tell them- dont be fooled, the Americans are really there to (steal the oil) (change your religion) to ruin your morals, to, to ,to etc
Our best effort in that regard is the behavior of our troops, hamstrung by having to act as police, having to kill some criminals
I am as pessimist as you are about getting the average Arab to like us. As a national goal it would be a disaster, but what we can do is become better able to deal with their leadership, reduce certain tensions, such as removing Military from SA
Regards
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