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Was the Iraqi elections a victory in the war on terror? Well yes... and no.
A morale victory over terrorism in Iraq would probably more accurate. Bush needed this bad - think what other victory has been gained in Iraq other then the brave Iraqis voting?
Bush needed this to validate is reasons for going to war to the growing sceptical American people, screw the WMD's, screw the unproven Saddam-Bin Laden link, the blood of Americans was spilt in good cause - for the freedom of Iraqis. Bush has scored a propaganda victory at home and over terrorists.
Great! Everything will now fall into place, right? Wrong.
Let's look at this from the Sunni POV. They had power, now they don't and even more so they are hardly represented (as like some Westerners they didn't bother voting). To put it bluntly, the Sunnis are pissed off. And when people get pissed off, they fight. Expect a rise in insurgents.
Iraq is now argubly a democratic country, hurray! But we should all agree (except our anarchists out there) is that democracy needs stabilty, pure and simple - the one thing America and Britain cannot seem to do.
We are caught in a rock and hard place. If we stay, more Iraqis will get pissed and join the insurgency, if we go Iraqi Democracy will crumble along with Bush's reputation. My prediction? Expect us to be there in 4 years.
Did Bush get his first victory? Propaganda - yes, real - no. The elections are only the start, for Iraq to function it needs security. Can the US and UK provide it?
I leave with a link that I found quite interesting, enjoy.
http://truthout.org/docs_2005/013105W.shtml
A morale victory over terrorism in Iraq would probably more accurate. Bush needed this bad - think what other victory has been gained in Iraq other then the brave Iraqis voting?
Bush needed this to validate is reasons for going to war to the growing sceptical American people, screw the WMD's, screw the unproven Saddam-Bin Laden link, the blood of Americans was spilt in good cause - for the freedom of Iraqis. Bush has scored a propaganda victory at home and over terrorists.
Great! Everything will now fall into place, right? Wrong.
Let's look at this from the Sunni POV. They had power, now they don't and even more so they are hardly represented (as like some Westerners they didn't bother voting). To put it bluntly, the Sunnis are pissed off. And when people get pissed off, they fight. Expect a rise in insurgents.
Iraq is now argubly a democratic country, hurray! But we should all agree (except our anarchists out there) is that democracy needs stabilty, pure and simple - the one thing America and Britain cannot seem to do.
We are caught in a rock and hard place. If we stay, more Iraqis will get pissed and join the insurgency, if we go Iraqi Democracy will crumble along with Bush's reputation. My prediction? Expect us to be there in 4 years.
Did Bush get his first victory? Propaganda - yes, real - no. The elections are only the start, for Iraq to function it needs security. Can the US and UK provide it?
I leave with a link that I found quite interesting, enjoy.
http://truthout.org/docs_2005/013105W.shtml