John McCain: What Went Wrong?

[Hog1]

Originally Posted by dmek25

my whole point with the ant analogy was that we can turn Iraq into a diplomatic stronghold, and with all the other chaos that the rest of the middle east lives in every day, its really not going to do much to deter terrorism around the world

I get you.
The thing about the Middle East is this. It's no secret that a hell of a lot Muslims think they are in some kind of holy war to kill all Americans, and those like us. (France, and the UK have bigger problems than us because of the Middle eastern influence within their own countries, It may get serious in both before long)
I think 911 taught us......they mean it. To do nothing (my ant post) invites more of the same. I don't know, for sure, what the right plan is. To date I have heard not heard anyone that does.
No, it has not been easy. From the beginning, (and at every oppurtunity) and to his credit, Bush stated, it will be a LONG road. Possibly Bush's biggest folly was to allow many (if not the majority) of American voters to fall out of love with the effort.
I think we have made serious progress. We have had no further attacks on American soil. It is not perfect by any means, what has gone on in Iraq. If we finish what we started, it may well be the NEW republic of the Middle East. It might aid in providing us, and our allies some peace. Time will tell.
We did not have a rule book, or Hoyle to go by. I don't think any military mind of consequence would agree that this can be run on a time-line. To many unknowns. I think what you see, is what you get. We are going to have to be in some level of..............Police action for the forseeable future to maintain that level of security.
If we pull out prematurely (which is NEVER good), it will be seen as an ENORMOUS victory for the enemy, and accelerate attacks worldwide. Something we cannot afford..........