re: Iran and Syria are two of the biggest fomentors and sponsors of what's happening in Iraq today.
Actually, some would say WE are the biggest. Remember, Iraq may not have been delightful before we arrived, but it was relatively peaceful.
re: What will we do about them?
What will we do about every nickel and dime regime in the world? Reshaping the world has only become our responsibility since the neo's took office.
re: Is it ok to just withdraw and go into fortress America mode? What do you think, because I'm all out of answers.
As far as the pre-emtive neo doctrine, yes, it's a huge mistake. Think back... the world and the US has made exceptional progress not by militarily forcing countries to turn to democracy, but by influencing through example, through exporting culture, through economic benefit. That's progress has been created by responsible leaders on both sides, by our conservative Republican Presidents and our liberal Democrat presidents. You can't militarily force democracy; rape doesn't win hearts and minds, seduction does.
You say you are a conservative, I am also a traditional conservative in most ways. And traditional conservatives are mostly isolationist, they are VERY careful with our military, they believe in creating change by example. Frankly, it's the liberal tradition to promote nation building.
There is nothing that resembles traditional conservatives in the actions of the Bush administration. They have a neo agenda, and it doesn't resemble what either the conservatives or the liberals have ever envisioned for this country.
John |
