When is it going to dawn that occupation is NOT going to work in Iraq?
960065
the only occupation that ever worked for us was Japan, we are not designed to occupy Iraq. All that its doing is killing our troops and spending billions of tax dollars when we have better things to do. I support our troops, have sent 2 of my sons and 2 son in laws there. But the war was wrong from get go, Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11, if you believe the gvernment version of 9/11 it was all Saudi comnspiarators who committed the deed, yet we have not lifted a finger, not imposed a sanction against them! Hussien may have been evil, but the Saudi Roayl family is just if not more evil on a scale of evil. Its like if the neighbor kid punches you in the nose, so you kick the crap out of someother kid and let the attack go as if nothing happened! If we want a war of retalaition invade Saudi Arabia, I guarentee Bin Ladden will return home to defend his country, hell nuke em then we can use the oil  for gas and night lights! Wake up America! Bush, Chenny must be impeached
35504
Not anything more during this pres period. The military is stretched and presence in Iraq will be for many years to come.
967334
YES NOW THEY HANDOVER THE POWER TO THE PEOPLE OF IRAQ.  BUT UNO MUST WATCH THAT ANY TERRORIST GROUP MAY NOT TAKE POWER OF THE IRAQ.  FOR THIS OTHER COUNTRY'S ARMY CONTROL UNDER THE BANNER OF UNI NOT UNDER THE BANNER OF USA.
99595
The US government will not build a private corporation in Iraq. However, there is a strong liklihood that some sort of freiegn Wal*Mart and McDonald's will be built in Iraq.  Both already have a presence in other Mid East nations. If the security of Irawq gets better and the economy improves, then the Capitalistic American way would require that they be built in Iraq.
985721
The Iraqi government will have to do that if they want it.  The US government can't keep forcing themselves on countries that don't want them there.
736060
You tell the Iraqi government they have until, say,  6 months from now to get off their duffs and take over their own security.  \n\nWe gradually recede into the background.  \n\nIf the Iraqis stand up and do the job, good for them.  If they don't, too bad.\n\nIt's that simple.  It's what the Dims have been saying for quite some time, but because the Bush administration cannot admit a mistake, they cannot admit that something besides their "stand there and take it" strategy might possibly work.
26305
I am from the USA and offer my most sincere apology for what is happening in your country. I can only hope that our troops will leave and Iraq can purusue whatever course you choose. Please don't hate all of us for what our corrupt government has done.
468024
Probably not. The Iraquis can't seem to make up their minds on how to work together.
369698
I don't know, not psychic, nor am I one of the President's advisers.  I do know this, when the troops were first sent into Iraq, the President said that this will not be a short conflict.  He said that we will be in it for the long haul.  If I am not mistaken, he said it could take as long as 10 years to complete the task.
737244
Not really. In fact, the current occupation of Iraq doesn't have anything to do with the reason we went over in the first place.\n\nWe're doing nothing more than baby-sitting the country, and acting as its local police force, while it's in the middle of a civil war. There is no evidence, none, that says anything we're doing there has any effect on global terrorism. It's purely politics and empire-building.
1117216
No, there should be no cast-in-concrete definite date. The reason is not because US troops should be removed from Iraq, because they should be, but because giving a definite date will work to the advantage of insurgents who can then plan accordingly.  As long as the insurgents are kept second guessing the US intentions they will be off balance and will not be able to formulate definitve actions based on that information.  \n\nWhat would probably work far better is a gradual drawdown of so many thousands a month or whatever, with the option to send them right back if any massive insurgent attacks occur.  By gradually pulling troops out, there will be no definite date that would mark a boundary between "troops there" and "troops not there".  It's sort of the reverse of putting the frog in the pot of cold water and gradually turning up the heat; the water begins to get warm so gradually that the frog doesn't notice it and before he knows it he is boiled to death.  A gradual drawdown of troops would be much the same only in reverse.  As US troops gradually leave, the power shift to Iraqi soldiers would be hardly noticable until one day they all come to the realization that all the US troops  had left months ago.
52360
Absolutely. It is getting better every day.  That's not to say there won't be work ahead. \n\nWe had a presence in Japan and Germany for decades after WWII.  \n\nThe US didn't just peacefully decide we wanted independence and draft a constitution over a beer one afternoon.\n\nIt will take work on our part and that of the Iraqis to get it where they want it to be. They are an independent state and we need to help them get on their feet then withdraw as much as possible while still ensuring stability in the region.\n\nThose that listen to the mainstream media only hear the bad news that makes good headlines. I encourage them to create informed opinions by talking to those that have been on the ground in Iraq, lived with the Iraqis, and helped out. You might also want to investigate other sources of news that's not as biased.
904065
sorry to say we can't... we've f'd up iraq so much now, we have to maintain a presence there for many years to come.
504461
Not Iraq.\nMaybe China?
464720
There are many companies that have civilians working to support the troops in Iraq.\n\nKBR has many people over there doing everything from repairing helicopters to supervising laundry services.\n\nI will warn you that you will work 12-hour days, six days a week.
501024
If the new iraqi government cancelled all previous contracts with foreigners made by the interim government. then you'd really see a blood bath America won't leave till they've wrung the every last dollar out of that unfortunate country The british and australians should be ashamed to be sullied by this conflict
1123470
No.  we can't just pull out of Iraq before its own government is stable.  Then it would be another Vietnam.  If we just pick up and leave, the country will turn into a police state, much like Somalia did during the Clinton administration.