We need to take this a step further - location, location, location
Reader comment on item: Let Iraqis run Iraq

Submitted by Llama (United States), Oct 17, 2003 at 00:18

I don't have a problem putting US forces in desert bases as long as they are concentrated in the Sunni Triangle and a few others scattered around important border areas. 70% of Iraqis want the US military to stay after their own goverment is up and running anyway. We need to be in the face of those who would win if we cut and ran entirely which would be total nonsense and unacceptable. As long as we can quickly strike at those Islamic terrorists, Baathists and others that want us dead or when called upon by the Iraqi government, a desert operational base plan may work if the bases are in the right places. At least it might work once Iraqi police and small military forces are in place to defend against attacks on non American installations which seems the norm recently.

The vast majority of non threatening and pro American Iraqis would know we are there and that we will defend them when called upon. We would also be very near those that want us all dead and in their face, rooting them out of hiding, as we should be. We could not be accused of running away would still be in the middle of the fight but away from those Iraqis who are non threatening to our interests. We cannot forget that until these pests are finally dealt with, victory will remain illusive. When victory is won (and only then) can our troops can safely come home regardless of where they are based in Iraq.

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