Knowing what we know now, do you believe the Iraq war a mistake?

Sgt Mark Ramos — Mon, 25 May 2015 12:18:50 -0400

Trending question that all GOP Presidential candidates will have to answer:
Q: Knowing what we know now, was the Iraq war a mistake?

Response by Sgt Mark Ramos made May 25 at 2015 12:21 PM

Sgt Mark Ramos — Mon, 25 May 2015 12:21:54 -0400

On Dec 14, 2011, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, President Obama proclaimed the Iraq war a success. He said we are leaving behind, “A sovereign, stable, and self-reliant Iraq”. It had been that way for over three years, since President Bush left office. Knowing the sacrifice of life, limb, and treasure that made Iraq so. Knowing that President Obama would completely abandon a sovereign and stable, but immature and vulnerable Iraq, to fend for its own. Knowing that the black flag of IS would fly over Fallujah, Mosul, Tikrit, and Ramadi, cities that are stained with the blood and body parts of Americans who sacrificed so much to make it sovereign and stable. Knowing that an American administration would declare those cities had no particular significance. Knowing that Islamic terrorist would be allowed free reign over half a dozen countries to butcher, rape, and enslave by the tens of thousands. Knowing that President Obama, instead of holding the security gained in Iraq, would unleash further insecurity by pulling support or attacking leaders in Egypt, Libya, Syria, and Yemen. Knowing that the terrorist threat would grow larger, more brutal, better funded, and control more land than before 9/11, all while an American President declared that the strategy is working. Knowing all this, how can any US president ever trust again that the sacrifices that he orders for the security of the nation, won’t be wasted by his successor?

Obama in 2011: 'We're Leaving Behind A Stable And Self-Reliant Iraq'

Remember when "W" was lambasted over the "Mission Accomplished" banner?

Response by LTC Stephen F. made May 25 at 2015 12:20 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Mon, 25 May 2015 12:20:47 -0400

No, they had been violating international law including the no fly zones. They had been using WMD on their own inhabitants - Kurds and Shia.
Unfortunately our initial successful assault strategy was not followed up well. Changing hearts and minds takes generations.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made May 25 at 2015 1:08 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Mon, 25 May 2015 13:08:21 -0400

Absolutely not a mistake. The mistake was walking away and surrendering it after it had been won just as we did in Vietnam.

Who says we can't stay there forever? We did in Europe. And Japan. And Korea. Those turned out a helluva lot better and their value as trading partners and allies more than compensates for the cost.

Imagine what we might have done in the Middle East...

Response by SSG Leonard Johnson made May 25 at 2015 7:30 PM

SSG Leonard Johnson — Mon, 25 May 2015 19:30:31 -0400

No of course not. ..... We r Americans!!!! The world answers to us.....we don't answer to the world

Response by TSgt David L. made May 25 at 2015 7:54 PM

TSgt David L. — Mon, 25 May 2015 19:54:55 -0400

No, the Iraq war wasn't a mistake. Leaving everything we accomplished and leaving a power vacuum (Just like the Soviets did in Afghanistan) without an occupying or stabilization force was a MISTAKE. Letting ISIS/ISIL have their run of the entire middle east was a MISTAKE. Allowing our government to leave and give more equipment to a piss-poor IA and then allowing ISIS to claim all the equipment and weaponry to use against us while eating up territory we fought and died for, was a MISTAKE. Our president's policies WERE THE MISTAKE!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2016 5:19 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 17:19:27 -0500

Based on lies? Can't really say. We did find WMD in Iraq regardless of how widely believed it is that we didn't.

Also if you take 9/11 off the table and even the bush presidency. America was returning to Iraq. 1999+2000 the UN was already back at Iraq for breaking sanctions placed in the nation following the ceasefire in the gulf wars. The UN was already calling on America to once again go ahead and be the stick for the UN.

Now; the real problem with both the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts was the fact that we had a civilian who thought he knew best make decisions and chirp in the ear of the POTUS contrary to what his armed his nations top generals were requesting. Talking about the Rumsfeld Doctorine. Everything can be brought home to the absolute atrocity that decision born from that Doctorine are