I largely agree with you. However, the problem is in the implementation. The Bush administration doesn't seem to know how to admit that anything is going less than 100% right.
On the other hand, the UN, which is largely the French, the Germans and the Russians, I believe, enjoy being in the position of criticizing an increasingly difficult situation.
As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, I personally don't think that the UN would actually ante up either the money or the troops even if the US ceded whatever "control" the UN sought. The net result might very well look similar to what we are seeing today.
It's not just American life that is being lost. Actually, the American loss of life is relatively small (but not minimal and certainly something that should be avoided at all costs.) The targeting today of UN workers and Iraqis, I believe, will continue even if the US were to leave tomorrow.
As this is a Moderate thread, perhaps there needs to be some recognition that a good part of the violence is not just a protest against occupation, but rather attempts to intimidate the population. Whether it's remaining Baathists, Fundamentalists, Al Queda or a combination, these groups won't leave, IMO, if the US cuts and runs. |
