Those that cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. - G. Santayana
Currently, we're in the midst of trying "to fix" our Iraqi blunder. For the earlier Admin Iraq goal, it has now become starkly clear, we have neither the troops nor treasure. So the Admin has grudgingly gone to the UN. The idea is to get as much aid and troops as possible, while giving up as little control as we can "get away with". Already, the initial US proposal has run afoul of reality. But negotiations will continue, because the US has no choice.
No matter what the final terms are, the end result will be some kind of UN mandate, with the US in a lead role. All that's being negotiated is how dominate a role the US will have. I maintain that is irrelevant. The Iraqis will not accept a UN mandate. Apparently, unremembered in this country, this ploy has been tried before. I assure you, the Iraqis remember. After ousting the Ottoman Turks, the British rolled in as part of a League of Nations mandate. If you look at old pre-WWII maps, you’ll see Iraq colored a John Bull red, and the phrase L. of N. Mandate. I expect any new mandate will be as acceptable as the previous one.
JMO
lurqer |
