The American military and Foreign Policiy Machine KNOWS EXACTLY what they are doing. Don't think Iraq is a failure, sure about 1100 American/allied soldiers have lost there lives but from a military point of view the operation is a total success. They achieved there goals of invading and replacing Sadam Huessein with very minimal casualties compared to the numbers that where thrown about during the lead up to the invasion.
Sure they lied to us, or should I say to you Americans (Canadian here) that your gov't lied to you about the reason for war. Like it or not Weapons of Mass Destruction have not been found.......mind you though some of you (along with me) will argue that Saddam Huessein was a WMD and that was reason enough. Regardless of that though these are the reasons why I think the Americans lead the war in Iraq (In no particular order):
1) To send a clear and strong message to the Islamic world......You can knock down two towers crash a plane in a field and into the pentagon. We can and will invade and destroy your Countries in a matter of weeks. We now have two islamic countries under our control through our military might
2) We will control your oil fields and we will make you eventually pay for the whole cost of the war. One way or another we will losen the grip that OPEC has on the world
3) We now have springboards into the whole islamic region, one Iraq is basically the center of the Mid Eastern Islamic world.....they are situated in between Syria, Iran and Saudi Arabia......Syria and Iran are known supporters of terrorism and it sends a super strong message to them not to even think about messing around with the US or supporting anyone that messes around with the US. Saudi Arabia.....most of the 9/11 hijackers were Saudi....the royal house of Saudi like it or not is losing massive influence in there own country...the islamic fundamentalists are gaining power there.....the US is situated now in Iraq to make sure that will not happen.
If Iran does goe forward with this nuclear mindset look for one of two things: 1) Israel striking them with airstrikes - They have done it before to Iran against one of their Nuclear reactors and have stated they will do it again OR 2) Look for Americans to Destroy it themselves with Missle attacks.
The Americans are perfectly situated in all parts of the world to confront the Islamic Terrorist where ever he may be....and I think Iraq was just a step in achieving this. I don't care what reason they used to justify the war I just feel the reasons above are the reasons they did it.
*Now in my statement I said 1100 soldiers is not alot, in a personal view or should I say as a Human that is alot, I feel for the parents and everyone that was touched by these lost soldiers...the above was only stated from a military point of view and from what I understand 1100 was way below the number that the American Military expected*
I honestly think that the class of the religions is going to happen real soon on a global scale.....We have seen the Russians state that they will use pre-emptive strikes now as well.....and they will use everything in there Arsenal but Nuclear Weapons. They are following the Americans lead now, and no country can tell them no.
Most of the wars now are between Christians and Muslims in the world, or Between Jews(is that the proper term or is hebrew the proper term) and Muslims or Between what ever religion they follow in Asia (not very knowledgable but I am guessing some form of Bhudism) and Muslims, Hindus and Muslims.
When you stop and think about it Muslims are the common Factor in all of these wars.....and when you stop and think about it......the Americans and now the Russians are perfectly situated to confront these new fundamentalist threats.
I am not saying that they should kill all the muslims in the world......my best friend is a muslim.......I am saying that the fundies should be taken care of in what ever way possible and I know thats an Unchristian thought but I think its the only way.
I also disagree with Christian Fundies as well and think they are crack smokers along with any religions fundies.