Iraq is next!?

[Guardian]

Hey, now we're talking!

What's been happening to Iraq after the Gulf War is actually a lot like what happened to Germany after World War I, only worse...

As we all know, the efforts to punish and "restrain" Germany after WWI pretty much ruined the country and eventually lead to the rise of the Third Reich...

After WWII, on the other hand, both Germany and Japan were totally occupied by allied forces - who actually helped them get back on their feet and heading in a new direction, as opposed to just punishing and harrassing them.

Today, both Germany and Japan are great nations with significant power, and they don't need to stomp on anyone to prove it.

[Ted Striker]

Exactly.

[faded glory]

I think I found why hes going there

KUWAIT, Nov 21 (Reuters) - An extra 2,000 U.S. troops have begun arriving in Kuwait to take part in desert war games and act as a deterrent to Iraq, officials said on Wednesday.

"Their arrival is continuing over the next few days," a U.S. source said.

The United States, which already has around 5,000 troops in the conservative Gulf Arab state, is preparing for a training exercise codenamed "Desert Spring."

The reinforcements are expected to draw military hardware from stores at the Americans' Camp Doha on the outskirts of the capital, Kuwait City, and head to the desert area close to the frontier with Iraq for the manoeuvres.

Officials said the U.S. show of force was a message to Iraq, demonstrating Washington's readiness to defend Kuwait despite Washington's preoccupation with its military offensive against the Taliban and the al Qaeda network in Afghanistan.

The United States has kept ground troops, warplanes and heavy weapons in Kuwait since the 1991 Gulf War, when it led an international military coalition to drive out Iraqi forces which had occupied Kuwait for seven months.

"Desert Spring" will take place against a backdrop of calls by some U.S. politicians for action against Iraq as part of Washington's "war against terrorism."

Arab states have said the U.S.-led strikes in Afghanistan should not be expanded to embrace targets in the Arab world. Many Arabs already uneasy about the presence of U.S. forces in the Middle East are bothered by the bombing of Afghanistan and what is seen to be Washington's partisan support of Israel and its hardline Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon.

SHOOTING INCIDENTS

Although a Western attack on Iraq from bases in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait could place the host countries in a very awkward position, Kuwait expressed its concern this month about shooting incidents along its U.N.-patrolled border with Iraq.

An Iraqi anti-aircraft round landed in Kuwait on November 11, missing U.S. and British warplanes enforcing a no-fly zone over southern Iraq, the United Nations said.

Kuwait also said that two Iraqis in military fatigues allegedly fired assault rifles across the border.

Kuwaiti and U.S. officials have underlined that the U.S. troop reinforcement in Kuwait is a defensive deployment and not a signal that Washington is about to attack Iraq.

Meanwhile Australian diplomats in the region refused to comment on the destination of the first contingent of 30 members of an Australian special forces unit which left on Wednesday for the Gulf to aid the U.S.-led strikes in Afghanistan.

Some defence sources said the Australian Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment soldiers are expected to deploy in Kuwait and operate out of Camp Doha, but there was no immediate official confirmation.

"Their role now is training but that can change," said one Western defence source.

The Australian troop move has been delayed by negotiations over their role in view of regional sensitivities of getting directly involved in attacks on fellow Muslims in Afghanistan.

But Australian Prime Minister John Howard said as the troops left Perth: "This is of course a special force commitment that could be involved in...direct action against some of the hard- core terrorist groups, the pursuit and capture of which is the prime goal of the coalition operation in Afghanistan."

They are part of a group of 150 special forces soldiers promised five weeks ago by Australia for the U.S.-led fight against terrorism. Another 120 are to follow in about a week.

06:43 11-21-01

Copyright 2001 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

heh......but still. Sounds like way too much of a coincidence. I still think were going to make a huge mistake and hit them.

[Roman]

Military exercises are often 'conveniently' conducted near places where Britain or the US anticipate the next crisis. Then they usually claim that the exercise had been planned long before the crisis...

[faded glory]

The funny part is that there using Real Iraqi tanks to shoot at leftover from the gulf war. Most were sold off......but we left em some to be blasted to bits


I still think we will hit Iraq. The bleedin generals and pundits on TV seem to have forgotten about 9-11

They seem to be pushing for an Invasion of Iraq (the whole media!). Never have I seen such bloody advocation of warmongering by people who have never carried a gun or seen a dead person

[Evil_Eric_4]

So its Iraq next huh?

Damn- and I had my heart set on Somalia

[smellymummy]

western thinking/society/gov is obviously better than what can be found in the ME. The people are happier, healthier, more educated, etc etc. Good points about germany ww1 and ww2 and iraq gulf war 1, and possible gulf war 2.

Anyhow what is wrong with getting iraq? What is wrong with DOMINATING the area? The USA has not thought about expansion in a long time... If you ask me, and if you ask my tax dollars, let go land grab. Bomb the bad guys first, occupy, install a representative goverment, and pull up a new american flag (with the appropriate amount of new stars).

Iraqis won't be mad, they'll be glad!

What is there to not like about the USA? The laws promote religious freedom, so it's not like the marines are going to intentionaly step on muslim feets and desecrate places of worship. This isn't the crusades, it's a war to bring peace, security and stability on a global scale.

Humanity has grown up. We don't need to mindlessly slaughter ourselves or our neighboors. Some might still have problems accepting the word "NO", but hey too bad you can't have it all.

I say occupy afghanistan (they need it!) + iraq (mmm oil!). While we're at it overthrow pakistan (those 2 faced @!#$) and take over iran (hey why not...). Maybe not the latter two but still...

[Sprayber]

Roman: Your sarcasm is lost on me since what you suggested only makes good sense.

faded glory: Perhaps your family should terminate their association with the United States armed forces since your opinion on interventions seems directly related to them having to serve in them.

Evil_Eric_4: I suppose people have the right to want to starve, grovel in chaos, and generally want to be treated like sh!t. Becuase we tried to help(which i was opposed) and they deceided that they perfered Adid over food. Let them live with that choice.

smellymummy: Not in a million fuc*king years do we want Afghanistan or Iraq to be apart of the US. After we dismantle their goverments we should let them choose if they want to live in a civilized manner or like the people of Somalia. Whatever they decide upon we should all them to sink or swim on their own terms.


Oh and Happy Thanksgiving to all

[Roman]

Originally posted by Sprayber
Roman: Your sarcasm is lost on me since what you suggested only makes good sense.

That's because it was not meant to be sarcasm. Well, I admit I did write it in a lighthearted manner, but I meant it seriously at the same time.

[Rogan Josh]

I would actually support a US/EU strike on Iraq, but I think they have to very careful about the politics.

They need to show very clearly that it is in the best interests of the Iraqi people (and it is - but they have to prove this to the people of the other arab states) otherwise the entire muslim world will turn against us.

I think a good way to start with this (and I think this is the direction they are going) is to back the palestinians against Israel, or at least broker some sort of peace accord which is acceptable to the pals. That wasy they appear to be favouring the arabs over the israelis and will get much more backing for future action.

Another problem is that because the US is a 'christian' country, muslims are automatically suspicious of its motives. It s important I think to portray the US as multi ethnic and multi faithed -- after all, the US has a very large proportion of muslems.

Would is be possible for example to form a US military mulsim core with soldiers who are obviously followers of islam (turbans?), to send to these countries? This would be a huge propaganda coup, because it makes the arabs think the US is just like them. The reason arabs often do not support the US is not because they object to the US itself but that they fear that the US regards them as inferior.

[Guardian]

Originally posted by Rogan Josh

I think a good way to start with this (and I think this is the direction they are going) is to back the palestinians against Israel, or at least broker some sort of peace accord which is acceptable to the pals. That wasy they appear to be favouring the arabs over the israelis and will get much more backing for future action.

Actually, I believe we shouldn't favor either side by default.
We should just try our damned hardest to be fair and honest to everyone.

If we do anything else, we make hypocrites of ourselves.
-Which we seem to be pretty good at, I might add...

[faded glory]

I too would support strikes on Iraq. But the problem isnt about that.....

ITS ABOUT SHOULD WE STRIKE IRAQ!

its about politics in the region right now. We would anger Russia, China, Turkey, SA, Syria, Eygpt, UK.....well just about everybody.

Not to mention.....can we even get it done!?

The USA has not thought about expansion in a long time...

Cause we havent been and never will be imperialists.

[My Wife Hates CIV]

'Not to mention.....can we even get it done!? '



yes, the US would have no problem with iraq. it would probably be a big mess after as far as setting up some kind of new government. But that should be left to Europe.

[Lefty Scaevola]

Originally posted by My Wife Hates CIV
as setting up some kind of new government. But that should be left to Europe.

We could make Kuwait the managing trustee, after all iraq did want some sort of unity with them.

[Lefty Scaevola]

wrong button