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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: michael97123 who wrote (247906)	11/9/2007 2:58:11 PM
From: one_less	Respond to of 281500

duplicate

To: michael97123 who wrote (247906)	11/9/2007 3:02:12 PM
From: one_less	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

Michael, one thing that is vacant from this discussion, is the reality of the day. In my presentation, I am trying to bring a focus on the here and now of Iraq. What it is and what can come of it. We have a continuum from complete genocidal civil war (less of a reality than it once was), to complete reconciliation and harmony among groups in a representative form of government, also not completely realistic but certainly to some extent it is manifesting itself and progress has been made. Over the past few years people who supported the WMD reasons for going to Iraq have to some extent gone silent because that issue has been largely, although not completely, debunked. People who were against going to Iraq because it was promoted as an imminent threat, have largely become emboldened in the process. This discussion of who was right or wrong in 2003 will go on for eternity, mostly because neither side of that issue is willing to admit the pinnacle of their argument does not represent the wholeness of the circumstance. But WMD or not, Iraq in 2007/2008 is a reality, and IMO a completely different and evolving issue. Cutting and running in 2003-2006 would have been horrible for everyone, but that is no longer the reality of circumstance. Reducing troop levels under current conditions is strategically sensible and decreasing/increasing levels according to Iraq security contingencies is manageable. Gradual turning over of security to Iraqi forces is happening. Reconciliation is an issue that could flare up and fail causing circumstances to drastically change. Complete reconciliation is not realistic but there is plenty we can do while there to facilitate or mediate some level of material conflict. It would be nice for folks to move on to the here and now, in this discussion, at least with regards to what we are doing in Iraq, but that’s a personal choice. Best regards, gem