Why don't we learn from history? Japan (Post-WWII) vs. Iraq (Post-Invasion)?
923226
see, you're slightly incorrect here....\n\nBush 2 (and for the record, sequals are always worse), didnt learn squat from anything ever, especially foreign history, but all the ppl around him like cheney and rove did learn something, they learned what happens after a war, and they realized how you can manipulate the masses during a war, and in doing so, you can profit from it financially. \n\nbush and his buddies just looked for the quickest way to do what they wanted, how they wanted, and didnt care about anything else. they're not even pretending to care about our country. their regime is the most thinly veiled corruption ever. dont get me wrong, Saddam was a tyrant, but there are worse, and more dangerous out there, why didnt we go after them?
896611
THANK YOU!\ni hated the people in my history class last year that refused to believe that, and that history was pointless! you're so right about the fact that iraq is a completely the same as vietnam!
355664
It is a failed stragety.  They should have looked at the Kamikazies from WWII and learned from history.
830612
Experience is based on trial, failure and success. The invasion of Germany during the Second World War was an overwhelming success despite the losses on the allied forces. It was an invasion of purpose and it’s after effects changed the world for the better.\n\nThe invasion of Iraq on the other hand was ill timed, ill prepared, ill advised and mired in controversy from the onset. \n\nThis invasion unlike the first one did not involve the strategic neighbors from the beginning. \n\nThere was no focus on the invasion or planning for the aftermath as no suitable regime replacement that would be acceptable by the now divided populace was identified - There is a void that can not be filled.\n \nIraq will inevitably have to be split, in order to be governable. That is the only option to correct America's blunder- (Shite and Sunni Iraq).\n\nJust like what Vietnam did for the American leadership of the time, Iraq will be President Bush's dark legacy. Let us just hope Iraq will not be to America as Afghanistan was to the former USSR. (USSR end was accelerated by the Afghanistan invasion and defeat).
228889
well, koreans have receved brutal treatment from the japanese during the "occupation" and i don't think they are that ready to forgive.  you could research more unto the korean resistance and what the japanese have done.  also, both nations are very competetive in technology while taiwan is focused on investments and all that.
4762
The USA - the USA provided 100% of Japan's self defense - Japan had to spend NOTHING on its own military for 50 years (and the US still provides most of it to this day), whereas the USA spends billions a year. This 'free money' gave Japan tons and tons of capital to first rebuild, and then to monopolize - the USA gave Japan a free meal ticket to rebuild after the war.
1028016
How dare u call a country shit-hole???  Iraq has been one of the most civilized places in world history.  It has been plundered by Saddam and the US.  It has a potential to be a great nation.  Probably the most worthy place to undertake historical study on early and medieval archeology rather than pouding with carpet bombs and other destructive gizmos.
709122
History has a way of repeating itself. Mostly because people don't learn from their mistakes.
1049479
jonmorrit's answer is the most thoughtless, dumb response I have ever read on this site!! The United States does NOT have a habit of invading first and asking questions later. \n\nWe are the most generous, giving nation that has ever existed. Who else in history has ever rebuilt the countries they defeated in war, such as Germany and Japan, both aggressors, I might add.? Who else comes to the aid to the extent we do when a natural disaster hits another country? Who else sends food and clothing and medical supplies to Third World Countries so they can survive drought, famine, or epidemics?\n\nWe did invade Iraq, and indeed we had good reason to do so!!\n\nYes, they are scared yuppie propaganda victims. A shame, but it is true!!\n\nI hope you agree.
1114619
For one thing, you have to understand that Japan's troops were not in Iraq to provide combat support.  They were there to help rebuild and repair the infrastructure.  The portion they set out to help with was completed, and so was their mission.  Hence, the reason for their pullout.\n\nThey have a "pacifist" charter in their constitution that a lot of Japanese feel strongly about.  No one there wants anyone in power that will repeat the attrocities of war that Emperor Hirohito did in WWII.  With that said, they still have the capabilities to defend their nation well, especially with the U.S. pretty much at their side.
900920
The Phillipines are far from stable.\n\nAs part of the end of WWII Japan was forbidden to raise a military.  We are there to provide them with protection.  Japan wants us there.
315806
well, we wouldn't know.  the US could be brainwashing us right now in history class.\n\nwell, i know for fact that untill a few years ago, students were brainwashed to hate communists.  however, for Japan, not as much anger, except for the issue of Dokdo, a couple of islands in the Sea of Japan that korea and japan claim as theirs.
178976
see links.\nBasically. us cracks japanese code, we go on offensive, becomes pivitol point in war.
1093061
you're just mad cuz you lost the war. and to who_are_ya, WWII is not the war i was referring to.  but i suppose it may be hard for you, they hide historical information in books.
498475
Well, it is a double standard. They started the war because of "weapons of mass destruction", where are these weapons? I am sure America have more weapons of mass destruction in their own country, in fact the USA is the only country who has ever used such weapons (Japan). It is obvious that it is not about sorting out the Middle East, because now there are even more problems over there. Either Bush is "Satan", or just plain stupid. Or a mixture of both.
241847
Another example of people not learning their lessons:\n\nFrance was seriously pissed at Germany for taking the French territories of Alsace and Lorraine in the Franco Prussian war, and because of it France grew even more infuriated at Germany (classic rivals).  Angry France got some allies (Britain, Belgium, Russia, Serbia) as did Germany (Austria-Hungary) and soon World War One started.  After World War One, the allies (Mostly America, Britain and France) devastated Germany by making Germany pay their war debts and taking a great amount of German territory.  What happened about twenty years later?  A little something called World War Two.\n\n\nGreat lessons are learned through the study of history
1008329
Anyone can correct me if I'm wrong here - but I think one of the major differences is that the Iraqi people ARE indeed willing to change their way of life, adopting democracy, whereas the Vietnamese actually wanted to keep their communist government in tact so there was no will on their part to change. That's why we lost then. I mean, going back to the basics, in order for things to change, the will must come from both parties, otherwise it'll just be communist and dictatorship all over again. If we come in Iraq forcing our democratic ways on them, that wouldn't make us any different from Hitler. I think the Iraqis are actually willing to adjust.