How long should we be obligated to Iraq

2015-05-21T18:57:31-04:00

Lately I've seen a lot of discussions on rally point about Iraq and how the country is being taken over by isis most recently Ramadi. Several veterans and civilians are upset about it and faulting the government and our leaders. Putting it objectively, We ousted captured and killed Saddam, collapsed a militant government, reestablished the government, created a democratic society, rebuilt infrastructure, raised an army and police force and trained and equipped them. Some leaders say we pulled out prematurely. However our collapsing economy and approval rating for the war were horrible.

The sacrifices of our fallen heroes is not in question. Our heroes served their country honorably.

I'm not asking should we engage Isis. I'm questioning how long we were expected to defend Iraq borders with American lives.

So, how long did we truly expect to stay in Iraq. More importantly how long are we expected to protect a country with no ties to the United States.

All opinions are welcome, I truly want to see all sides of this. Please keep it professional

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made May 21 at 2015 7:08 PM

2015-05-21T19:08:29-04:00

Until the oil runs out.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 21 at 2015 7:21 PM

2015-05-21T19:21:04-04:00

Do you want the political answer, or one based in reality?

In reality, we're going to be there 3+ generations (30-50 years). We're going to be there until they become Pseudo-Americans.

When we stop thinking of them as Foreigners, and they stop thinking of us as Foreigners, that's when it will be time to leave, but by then we will be so entrenched it won't matter anymore.

When we toppled the regime, we took on a duty to protect them. Not for a year, or a decade, or a set period or time. We just took on a duty. We overthrew a Sovereign Nation. Sure we had a good reason. But we can't undo that.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 9:53 PM

2015-05-21T21:53:20-04:00

The better questions are does ISIS pose a threat to the US homeland? Does ISIS pose a significant threat to the strategic goals/equities/position of the US in the middle east to the extent that their existence will have a significant negative effect on the US?

If the answer to those questions is no, then I think the argument can be made that we have no obligation other than using our power to stop a situation that is verging on genocide/ethnic cleansing. There is a historical precedent for the US using military power simply to help those who cannot help themselves.

If the answer to those two questions is yes, then we are obligated to defeat ISIS because it is in the US's strategic interest to do so.

The time is irrelevant.

Response by COL Charles Williams made May 21 at 2015 11:04 PM

2015-05-21T23:04:19-04:00

Well SFC Private RallyPoint Member .... We are still in Europe, Japan, the Pacific and Korea... Change takes time.