What needs to be done in Iraq?

[Orsorum]

What needs to be done to help stabilize the fledging Iraqi government and keep our troops safe?

Simple question, far more complex answers, I know.

- if all you want to do is bash Bush, or delight in the guerrilla war that has developed, please don't post here. The domestic consequences will work themselves out, and they are not really part of the discussion I had in mind.
- I am curious to see how people would go about balancing the Shi'ite/Sunni majority with representation while respecting the rights of all the citizens (i.e. when 75% of the population identifies with two main religious groups, how do you balance that ideology in a manner which respects the minority?)?

 

[Czar]

First of all, the people need to know what is going to happen, there needs to be a plan from now to the end and the US needs to follow that plan.
no first of all, there is no Iraqi government
Second, it would be extremely good for the US if the UN would control the reconstruction, it would draw alot of heat from the US.
Third there needs to be more rotation on the soldiers, tired minds lead to bad decisions.
Forth, more direct aid, not just food packs and distributed water. There needs to be direct help, to begin with I think it would be great if the soldiers who dont have anything to do (like we have been getting reports of) would be used in building houses, get engineers, architects from Iraq, then just start building. To begin with this would be ideal, next would be to replace the soldiers with Iraqi civilians in the building process.

 

[Moonbeam]

Impeach Bush, apologize and leave.

 

[Orsorum]

Originally posted by: Moonbeam
Impeach Bush, apologize and leave.

What would that accomplish?

 

[Moonbeam]

Impeach Bush, apologize and leave, turning him over to the Hague for war crimes, sorry.

 

[Czar]

Originally posted by: Moonbeam
Impeach Bush, apologize and leave.

leaving at this moment is not an option, or should not be an option, it would create more chaos and just make matters worse. The US needs to see this through.

(first two sound nice though )

 

[Moonbeam]

Not to worry, Czar, the world is withdrawing their offers to help us in Iraq. We can't get the help we need. Now we're calling on the National Guard. If we give up, impeach Bush and try him, if we eat a huge portion of crow, hope you know that American saying, and rub our faces in sh!t and get the hell out, then, and only then will the world feel free to step in and fix our mess.

 

[Czar]

the world is saying, no help unless UN is in control, there are discussions now in the security council over this

 

[sandorski]

I think the various sections of the country should be split into states/provinces according to the dominant ethnic differences. This way, each group would have some kind of autonomy that's suitable for their particular need. Other than that, I think the US would be wise to mend fences with the UN and the members of the SC.

 

[Czar]

Originally posted by: sandorski
I think the various sections of the country should be split into states/provinces according to the dominant ethnic differences. This way, each group would have some kind of autonomy that's suitable for their particular need. Other than that, I think the US would be wise to mend fences with the UN and the members of the SC.

good idea, I'm not sure its practical in the long run since it could lead to a split of the country, possibly bad and possibly good, very hard to say

 

[reitz]

My solution would be to secure a UN mandate for a multinational (read: French, British, American, Russian, etc.) peacekeeping force to bring order and stability to the country. The international community needs to work together to administer Iraq in the interim (instead of having the UN just set up an interim Iraqi government) and rebuild Iraq's infrastructure sharing both the costs and the responsibilities. Under UN supervision, a special nationwide election would be held to choose delegates for an Iraqi Constitutional Convention. Once the new Iraqi government is designed and set up (as the Iraqis themselves see fit) the international peacekeeping force would leave at the new Iraqi government's request. From that point on, they'd be on their own.

 

[Czar]

Originally posted by: reitz
My solution would be to secure a UN mandate for a multinational (read: French, British, American, Russian, etc.) peacekeeping force to bring order and stability to the country. The international community needs to work together to administer Iraq in the interim (instead of having the UN just set up an interim Iraqi government) and rebuild Iraq's infrastructure sharing both the costs and the responsibilities. Under UN supervision, a special nationwide election would be held to choose delegates for an Iraqi Constitutional Convention. Once the new Iraqi government is designed and set up (as the Iraqis themselves see fit) the international peacekeeping force would leave at the new Iraqi government's request. From that point on, they'd be on their own.

that is what happens when the UN does so, it becomes the job of the international community, good plan

 

[Orsorum]

Bump.

 

[Fencer128]

I don't think there is a way to make post-war Iraq safe. The tough deal appears to be this for me:

Whilst you're setting up a legitimate government, people are going to be disgruntled and take pot-shots at you.

Until Iraq's own police and judicial system is up and running, together with a "back to normality" civilain life as we would know it - people are going to hide/smuggle guns in and some will keep shooting, be them disaffected civilians, saddam loyalists, mercenaries or foreign troops in disguise.

The hard road has been taken and now it must be seen through. The only thing I would immediatley change in order to help quell some fears/distrust that could lead to such violence is too increase the amount of co-operation with the UN - by that I mean give them a greater authorative role in all of this.

Cheers,

Andy

 

[Orsorum]

Bump. I want to hear CkG's ideas.

 

[Trenchent]

i say take the money budgeted by the us government for the rebuilding of iraq and split it up between microsoft, mcdonalds, and starbucks. Tell them to go over there and modernize/capitolize the country. They have proven very... effieient in our markets i think their influence on the job markets, supply structures of food, and intsruction of technological elements of modern society would induce a governemt of it's on junctures to form within the country from the capitolist nature of the businesses dealing with no competition but their own needs in supplying products to a extremely poor society and turn over a profit.

 

[Orsorum]

Bumpy.

 

[Bleep]

Well they have had operation this and operation that and none have worked. They need a operation total devistation for at least 4 towns in the bagdad triangle.

Bleep

 

[Orsorum]

Bump. I am genuinely surprised that more of you guys don't have suggestions. What has happened in Iraq is such a hot topic, I would imagine that you all would have more suggestions as to what needs to be done.

 

[reitz]

Originally posted by: Orsorum
Bump. I am genuinely surprised that more of you guys don't have suggestions. What has happened in Iraq is such a hot topic, I would imagine that you all would have more suggestions as to what needs to be done.

I'm not surprised. How many anti-war people offered genuine suggestions as to handle the conflict before the war? I think most would rather complaint and point the finger than do any real thinking on their own.

 

[Orsorum]

Originally posted by: reitz

Originally posted by: Orsorum
Bump. I am genuinely surprised that more of you guys don't have suggestions. What has happened in Iraq is such a hot topic, I would imagine that you all would have more suggestions as to what needs to be done.

I'm not surprised. How many anti-war people offered genuine suggestions as to handle the conflict before the war? I think most would rather complaint and point the finger than do any real thinking on their own.

I am surprised that the pro-war people haven't offered more suggestions as well. I am not trying to single out CkG or anyone else, but I do like to pick the brains of those who have more knowledge than me.

 

[reitz]

That's because the shoe's on the other foot now. Prior to the war, the anti-war detrators were in the minority, and most chose to simply complain rather than offering valid, reasonable suggestions. Now that Iraq is well on its way to becoming a quagmire, we're seeing the opposite happen.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: reitz
My solution would be to secure a UN mandate for a multinational (read: French, British, American, Russian, etc.) peacekeeping force to bring order and stability to the country. The international community needs to work together to administer Iraq in the interim (instead of having the UN just set up an interim Iraqi government) and rebuild Iraq's infrastructure sharing both the costs and the responsibilities. Under UN supervision, a special nationwide election would be held to choose delegates for an Iraqi Constitutional Convention. Once the new Iraqi government is designed and set up (as the Iraqis themselves see fit) the international peacekeeping force would leave at the new Iraqi government's request. From that point on, they'd be on their own.

That kind of sounds good. We keep saying that this isn't an occupation of Iraq, but it is kind of looking that way, especially when we are told now that the troops will be staying there even longer. I guess it's that they need a lot of support to rebuild; they were oppressed for a long time, so democracy isn't going to be something they'll understand. They know violence and fear as means of control.
It takes a village to raise a child, isn't there a saying something like that? Well, Iraq needs help, and they could use it from the entire community, not just one "person." We're sort of the big brother, but the little guy (Iraq) is throwing a tantrum over the transition.

 

[Wheatmaster]

we should've elected nadar when we had the chance LOL

 

[Orsorum]

Bump.