I only disagree with a couple of points.

First, the parties involved. In all instances, to my knowledge, never was the public involved in voting for the policy changes, only the government. In all instances, even Iraq, we were fortunate that the prospect of an economic/political model that resembled ours was accepted by the parties affected is true. The Iraqi government supports this now as well.

Second, I don't think the method of fighting has anything to do with it. What matters is how the majority of citizens in the country affected feel and perceive the changes. I think the majority of citizens of Iraq do indeed welcome the democracy (until a poll tells us otherwise). That is not the same thing as accepting or supporting the forces on their soil.

I'm not referring to the voting by the public in free elections as Iraqis came out in force to do (as in other countries), I'm referring to the basic switch to democracy.




>>>>http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/15/world/middleeast/15military.html?_r=1&ex=1358053200&en=fa1851c843d9546c&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin
>>>
>>>
>>>When will it end? How about 4020? Things might improve by then. :)
>>
>>Why should this be so different than Japan, Korea, Germany, etc??
>
>
>Dale;
>
>As we know after World War II there were no terrorist’s attacks or civil war in Japan or Germany to speak of. Korea is another story but similar. That war is not officially over.
>
>The events in Iraq have a different degree of complexity than the preceding wars. One religious group against another, etc. I think that the Iraq situation does not fit a model that is easy to resolve. In the cases involving Japan, Germany and South Korea, we were fortunate that the prospect of an economic/political model that resembled ours was accepted by the parties affected.
>
>I remember reading Chairman Mao’s words written in the 1930’s, “As long as there is one guerilla there is war”! Today we might equate a guerilla to a terrorist. There is some similarity it seems to me.
>
>
>In the case of sectarian violence in Iraq there is a history dating back about 1000 years of such events. To bring these religious groups together is a great challenge. Even if the two groups learn to tolerate each other, there is the risk of terrorists attacking one or the other groups and renewing the conflict.
>
>Not every citizen in an occupied country is willing to accept the political system imposed upon them by an occupying country. Not every citizen in an occupied country is willing to allow an occupying country to dictate policy.
>
>As a nation we like quick and easy solutions. The Iraq conflict is complex and will not be resolved any time soon.
>
>The French failed in Vietnam. The United States picked up the gauntlet and took the position vacated by France. The Russians failed in Afghanistan and the United States once again took up the gauntlet. We have not learned by the mistakes of others. We are invincible.
>
>Tom