RE: http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,143680,00.html

So retreating is now winning? Iraq certainly does need a government that can get things done.

But his next conclusion that withdrawing is the only solution, because any Iraq government that is created by the USA will be illegitimate is false.

America has made too many promises to the Iraqis, and to the world, but the Iraqi factions at the top are just too opposed to one another to make the parliment work. America cut the head off the snake, and tried to sew on 3 heads. That is the "strategic" problem. And its a big one.

The "tactical" problem is that there has been this misconception that democracy is something that starts at the top and filters down - that's wrong - only dictatorships start that way.

An alternative solution is to get back to the absolute basics of federal government. Security, territorial integrity, and creating an environment where basic services can be provided to the public.

A strong arm dictator at the top, that all political parties/groups in Iraq will respect and listen to. Keep the Iraqi parliment as a debating society. Use a permanent American military presence as a way of tempering the dictator.
At this point I think the Iraqis will settle for security and basic services, how that is achieved is immaterial.


If America wants to foster democracy in this situation,
Start small and let the Iraqi people find the answers (but this would take a lot more US troops):
1)find some way of making the local government democratic. Mayors, local police chiefs, and especially local courts, etc....
If George's dream is ever going to come true, that is where it will start, not at the top, but at the very bottom.
I would also create a federal judiciary that includes many factions and give it a high profile and use it as a way to temper the dictator.

Whether its worth fighting and dieing for, I don't know.

But - its all in the details/implementation.
If the dictator gets too strong, he will take on American forces directly to take over.

Maybe its too late, and withdrawl is the only practical solution.

I agree with the withdrawal of ALL U.S. forces out of Iraq; but let's not call it "winning".

mechtech,

Great post. I agree with everything but the creation of a strong judiciary. A dictator would never tolerate it. The American military would have to protect the judiciary's existence and, according to Mr. Lind, the judiciary would lose its legitimacy.

Gary Hart? Gary Hart. A great statesman no doubt. Maybe as we retreat from Iraq we could go ahead and dig the trench's for the mass killings that would follow. Of course there would be one for males and one for females. Cultural and religious thing, you know.