We did not do this in Operation Iraqi Freedom. When did we do this?
In Gulf War 1. Is this the first you've heard of it?
Ok, now you are doing a devious thing. In this conversation we are having, we have been talking about two different things. First there is the reasons for going to war. Second there is how we are doing now and what should we do.
This particular item was about whether civil war would resume if we pulled entirely out,
in the present tense. I referenced those countries we helped establish democracies in, in that light. A good comparison. We are not inexperienced at this as a country.
INSTEAD, you are switching the argument you are making to one of
the reasons we went to war. It doesn't matter. Stop doing that!
You are the one that brought up Germany and Japan. We did not go to war with either to bring Democracy to them. They were threats, Iraq was not.
That is why your analogy does not apply.
I did not. Earlier I said that the country was geopolitically important because of oil, not that we were there to get it. We'll buy it on the open market.
Exactly, that's the same thing I am saying. It was about controlling the region militarily so no one can mess with our oil interests. After we invaded and occupied Iraq, US oil was able to return to the US for the first time since Saddam had kicked them out years ago, and now there is no worry about the pro-west government we installed switching to the Euro as Saddam had threatened to do. And we have bases and troops readily available to prevent any attacks on our government there or sabotage of the oil infrastructure.
It is but it is up to us to help them however we can.
Not if they do not want us there.
Yes, the people are pessimistic about us. Can't blame them really. We will see what happens.