In our wildest imangination(s), how could we possibly think that we can "democratize" a Middle East country,
918072
This would not be the first democracy in the middle east, so it has possibilities.  We are not asking the people of Iraq to adopt western ideas or culture, simply a government of the people and not the dictators.\n\nYou might be a tad naive about the people wanting the US to leave, they know better than anyone that complete chaos will replace relative calm, once our troops are gone.\n\nThe peace issue has more to do with Syria and Iran who are stoking these anti-peace initiatives, so until they decide to keep out of the affairs of other country's, this will continue and might even escalate, if someone decides to take them to task.  They are more guilty than anyone for invading other country's.  We would leave tomorrow if the Iraq government asked us to leave.   Do you think they would leave?\n\nIsolationism has a nice sound to it, and might have worked fifty years ago, but it's too late for that.  It would mean that we would  turn our backs on our allies and that we cannot do.  In a way, Clinton did that with his diplomacy attempts, when stronger measures were needed.  Had he done his job then, we would have far fewer issues to deal with today.
261241
Is peace humanly possible?  Yes.\n\nWill it happen in between Israel and the Palestinians?  Not in the way things are currently being run:\n   - Palestinian's Rulung Party, the Hamas, have demanded control over thier own land for the last 39 years (since 67), now that Israel has removed thier citizens from Gaza, Hamas has celebrated its freedom, but complains that Israel will not let thier people travel to and from... which is funny because they admitt their goal is to eliminate the Israelis alltogether.  \n\nSo if peace was to happen... both sides would have to prove to one another they were serious about peace.  This isn't some perfect world, so it is not like the Israeli governement would be willing to just lay down all thier arms in order to establish peace with the Palestinians... they know the second they do that Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq would attach full-force.  So it will havce to be a slow process of give and take with the Palestinians and the Israelies each giving up thier rights in order to establish peace.  \n\nWith Hamas in control of Palestinian areas, it won't happen though.
172270
middle est is a place that has always been influenced with different manners of thinking that were mostely religional and ofcourse not to equal. this strategical region can have a strong economy and high living standards if sth. could make it safe and peacefully. but its very hard to attack to the trorism that has been homed in m.e. but if this dream (i mean the peacefully m.e.) wants to turn to truth the onliest way is to make the people mind and manners equal. i think one of the best ways for this aim is using the multimedia tools.
205834
what's going on in the Middle East can be boiled down to two words.....culture clash. Middle Eastern theocracy vs Western democracy. It's like mixing oil and water\nand quite frankly the confrontation is long overdue. 9/11 finally brought the long standing turmoil to flash point and I must say that I comment President Bush for meeting it head up and taking care of business as quickly as he did....to a Middle Eastern zealot, hesitation or an effort to compromise (Gore would have done both) only serves to confirm their suspicions of weakness....AND THAT'S WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE MIDDLE EAST!~
1122505
We went to kick some middle east butt,  that is what the America people wanted and almost demanded after 9/11.\n\nNow we are stuck because the county did not find freedom as great as we thought they would.
563477
This must be a question for the left, because one must be on some serious hallucinogens to be able to visualize that.\n\nAfter all, according to the liberals... \nSaddamn was never a threat to anyone, Al Quida doesn't exist, and we're the only ones causing trouble and violence over there. \n\nJust a second, I'm going to go huff some aerosol....\n\nOkay, I got it. Back before we started that completely unprovoked Desert Shield-Gulf War B.S., the whole middle East was like Switzerland. \n\nChildren playing in the streets, women able to walk freely about without being harassed or forced to wear tents on their heads, the governments allowed newspapers and television to embrace our first amendment as their own, and Americans could visit freely, come and go as they please. Just read Den of Lions by Terry Anderson if you don't believe me.\n\nI grew up watching national news stories about Beirut. It was my childhood dream to visit that Paradise. Thank you, H.W. and son. You ruined the Middle East for all of us. \n\nMight as well let Iran have their nukes. With any luck, they'll blow the whole frigging thing off the map and we can start all over.
54059
We are in a global war on Terror. \nWe are taking action.  \n\nUnfortunately our president thought it was best to "Sell" this war piecemeal "war in Iraq, followed by war in Afghanistan" etc.\n\nHad he been more forthcoming, more people would be in support. \n\nThe truth is: we are in a global war on terror that will last decades or until every Islamic country has a stable government that can police their own fringe radicals.\n\nIt needs to be done, and it is being done.\n\nThough I'm not so sure it is being done the right way.  I'm a bit more cynical.  \n\nI say:\n\nInstall friendly dictators in every nation that poses a risk (They know how to deal with these problems) Democracy is beyond the abilities of most of the populations we're talking about.\n\nDevelop an alternative form of Energy and embargo all mid-east oil.\n\nGive Israel free reign to defend themselves as they see fit. \n\nYou'll see a mid-east that begs for our presence, our moderating effect on Israel and our $$ !
876407
That assumption requires one to believe that the US is civilized.  That I doubt. It may be socialized but it is hardly civilized!
17487
The true irony is that it's inherantly illiberal and undemocratic to forcefully establish a democracy within a country outside of your own.  All democracies have been born from within.  So in the case of the Middle East, liberals are not opposing the spread of democracy, they are opposing the method in which it is spread.  Progressive and liberal theories depend on freedom and personal rights.  Installing a form of government upon a foreign society violates both of these factors.
50438
Can't believe the answers some people post in this place.\nLet me try to explain something to every reader here: DEMOCRACY DOES NOT EQUAL CIVILIZATION.\nI've heard so many Americans say "oh my God, those people in the middle east are savages, they don't even have a Democracy!!!!". Just can't believe it...\nWe're talking about a culture that has sustained itself through the millenia without democracy, and pretty well I shall say. What happened then that we read about them in the papers every day? WE CAME IN. Americans came in. Europeans came in. We're just trying soooo hard to get their culture like ours, selling them everything they "have to" consume, forcing them to follow our examples.\n\nI remember when the war in Afghanistan started, several major TV networks decided to make a drama scene about "women in Afghanistan", remember that? I actually heard a spokeswoman saying "it brutal how they treat women, not allowing them to expose their bodies. They are complete savages!".\n2 months later there was a video response from some women in Afghanistan, trying to explain to us, stupid close minded Americans, that that's how they lived, and that they were ok with it!\nMiddle East cultures, if you've read any of the Corahn, have a great respect of women. They do not abuse them, that only happens in "civilized" countries like ours.\n\nYes, we are forcing them to accept democracy and to accept the westernized way of life. It's really sad actually, if this keeps on there will be no variety at all in the way people think. Not until we all think like Americans.\n\nAnd the answers in this and other questions throughout this site is just a proof of how close minded we can be.
864630
Totally agree.  Ever since oil was discovered in the Middle East, the most powerful men and nations on the earth have lusted over the area.  They have bribed leaders, propped up dictators like Saddam, manipulated and cajoled the nations and the people endlessly.  The Saudi  Prince, spiritual leader of the Islamic World, seems to have his own agenda along with all the other players, and this  all  combines to make the mess in Iraq we see today.  That the people of Iraq could be free to chose their own destiny is almost a laughable concept, as they haven't ever been free, and it doesn't look like anyone will leave them alone long enough to figure it out for themselves, if indeed that is what we are really doing there.
1019926
Aside from the fact that you are Arab/middle eastern, your description of your feelings sounds like my average American friend.  All governments are corrupt, and America has managed to put a lot of corrupt governments in place.  After all didn't we help the Taliban take control of Afghanistan after the war they had with the USSR?
777787
yes and we sparked it when we invaded. perhaps an all out Arab cicil war is what our hidden adgenda really is so we can grab oil by the barrells full
993938
I think that is perfectly feasible. Really sux that we are so doubtful and untrusting of our government; but, ever other promise over the past 6 years, has been either a lie or just false.
583369
Exactly what we're doing.  We weren't there to create governments based on democratic principles.  But, since it was essential to remove Hussein in order for change to occur in the region, the only right resolution after removal was to create the opportunity for everyone in Iraq to participate in electing the government they want.  The other crap you hear is partisan bull that is distorting the real process going on.
753178
It is impossible to empower a government over a disenfranchised people.\n\nAt the end of World War II, the Allies placed new leadership over Japan and Germany, however both had long-standing histories of centralized government.\n\nIn Iraq, and indeed the entire Middle East, the differences in religious beliefs are tantamount to differences in race or identity.\n\nIt is very unlikely that a democratically-elected government will be able to control the population. To draw a parallel: how would the US citizens feel if France invaded, replaced the government, when they went to vote? Would they feel that the candidates were fair? Would they feel that the candidate was "one of them" or in collusion with the invading forces? What about if the situation were reversed?\n\nWith all that, the US is likely to quickly hand over to Iraq control of their country. I expect that we will enhance the speed of our training of the Iraqi police and armed forces, then walk away within the next couple of years (before the next major elections.) Shortly thereafter, the government will be overthrown and Iraq will disintegrate along religious or ethnic boundaries.
336065
there are alot of countries responsible for what has happened in the middle east. Every western nation has had a hand in dividing up the middle east for either religion or oil. Isreal is only the most recent example. If we gave every country in the middle east the support we give Isreal, that would be a very different region today. \n\nThe cultural divide is the only thing I see that has stopped us. For instance, after 9/11 many groups were advocating that we lock up all muslims in the US in concentration camps because they are muslim. The people of the middle east's reaction to this attitude is what is causing the problems. They hate the way we think of them. \n\nWill there be another attack? probably. Will we hear about it? I hope not, but some politician will probably want to reap the political rewards of making us afraid despite what it would do to this country. Thousands of people die in the US every day. Terrorism is the least likely cause, and our government should recognize that.