I want to thank everyone who has been on this topic for their thoughtful and informative views. Particularly Ash, who recapped relevant sections of recent postings. Not too long to read, and certainly not difficult to absorb.
Thus far, I have yet to read anything that challenges my initial assumption that containment is not a practical option.
Hello and nice meeting you.
As for the containment, I think its a very relative term.
How can Pres.Bush contain Saddam, when he, VP Cheney et all were in cohoots making money a few years ago?
You see, politics is a dirty game. We are mere mortals who are manipulated each and every passing day by these selfish and self serving leaders.
Therefore, its a good idea that first world countries, such as the US, started concentrating more on local issues and let world solve its own problems. They should only interfere if they are asked or if national security is at a risk. I don't think that Saddam poses any such threat, if we go deep in the tenure of this despot.
Welcome, Handsome. I see you've introduced a third option, neither war nor containment. Just say to heck with it, and bring our people back home. Swell, but do it with the understanding that we are simply not going back again, whether invited or not. Nor are we keeping our military on station indefinately. It simply cannot be done.
Handsome
Even if it could be done [bring the troops home] Bush would never do it. It would be a loss of face to Bush. That would be an untenable position for someone with the limited ability for reason such as Bush to take.
Comments on Bush not withstanding, I think it is too late to withdraw without a solution. It would be an announcement to the world that the US is a paper tiger.
