Iraq crisis: Historical precedents (worth a read)

[Agathon]

For those who think that being informed is worthwhile, here's a good series of opinion pieces from the Guardian.

All who wish to draw historical comparisons, especially those who rave on about "appeasement" please read this.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,898414,00.html

[Drake Tungsten]

Already read it. Wasn't too impressed. If you examine 1936 instead of 1939, the similarities between Iraq and Germany are much more evident...

[Dis]

good reading. But I feel their opinions are biased on whether they support the war or not. I do not believe they can objectively look at history and the present situation with no bias.

Simon Chama has it pretty close though. This doesn't resemble either 1939 or 1956. Terrorism makes this a unique situation.

[Dauphin]

Originally posted by Drake Tungsten
Already read it. Wasn't too impressed. If you examine 1936 instead of 1939, the similarities between Iraq and Germany are much more evident...

When were weapons inspectors an option in 1936?

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by Drake Tungsten
Already read it. Wasn't too impressed. If you examine 1936 instead of 1939, the similarities between Iraq and Germany are much more evident...

Yes, one was a highly industrialized country with lots of financial capital. The other is a poverty stricken nation which only produces crude.

One country was a leader in science. The other is a isn't. One country was historically one of the most powerful countries in the world. The other isn't.

The similarities are so striking.

[General Ludd]

Originally posted by Drake Tungsten
Already read it. Wasn't too impressed. If you examine 1936 instead of 1939, the similarities between Iraq and Germany are much more evident...

So do the Germany-USA comparisons.

[Agathon]

One of the things that is not often emphasised is the sympathy of European elites to Hitler in the 30s due to his anticommunist position. There is a nice novel which has this as the background, "The Remains of the Day", by Ishiguro.

[Agathon]

Originally posted by Dissident
good reading. But I feel their opinions are biased on whether they support the war or not. I do not believe they can objectively look at history and the present situation with no bias.

Simon Chama has it pretty close though. This doesn't resemble either 1939 or 1956. Terrorism makes this a unique situation.

Which facts do you dispute?

[Boris Godunov]

All of the direct historical comparisons read to me as rather simplistic, vague and easily manipulated. I'm sure we could compare the situation to any historical occurence if we wanted, to the limits of absurdity. Rather like making Nostradamus quatrains say what we want them to say.

I'd say the historical comparisons are inaccurate all-round, and this indeed a new and unique situation.

[Agathon]

Originally posted by Boris Godunov
All of the direct historical comparisons read to me as rather simplistic, vague and easily manipulated. I'm sure we could compare the situation to any historical occurence if we wanted, to the limits of absurdity. Rather like making Nostradamus quatrains say what we want them to say.

I'd say the historical comparisons are inaccurate all-round, and this indeed a new and unique situation.

Pretty much, which is why I object to the pro-war camp going on like this.

[Imran Siddiqui]

All of the direct historical comparisons read to me as rather simplistic, vague and easily manipulated. I'm sure we could compare the situation to any historical occurence if we wanted, to the limits of absurdity. Rather like making Nostradamus quatrains say what we want them to say.

I'd say the historical comparisons are inaccurate all-round, and this indeed a new and unique situation.

Yep... which I why I'll never say whether or not this is 'appeasment'. That's totally silly to compare.

[Dis]

Just because this isn't the same situation doesn't mean that there isn't a cause of war.

Some of the writers pointed out that there may be a reduction in WOMD and reduction in terrorism if this happens. They are unsure.

Many of them agree that the U.S. has no definite plans what to do once we are done. I fear to think what the aftermath of this will be.

but just because this isn't the same appeasement as what happened in the 30's is no reason to keep appeasing! What's the point of having U.N. resolution if they can be broken with no consequence?

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by Dissident
but just because this isn't the same appeasement as what happened in the 30's is no reason to keep appeasing! What's the point of having U.N. resolution if they can be broken with no consequence?

Iraq has been living with the consequences for 12 years. They were once on their way to being a first-world nation and had one of the largest militaries in the world. Now, thanks to the sanctions and containment, they are dirt poor, have no military hardly to speak of, don't even control their own skies nor a good portion of their country, and couldn't pose a serious threat to, well, pretty much anyone.

[Ted Striker]

The US State Department just ordered all US citizens to leave Iraq, by the way.

**** is about to hit the fan.

[Ned]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara


Yes, one was a highly industrialized country with lots of financial capital. The other is a poverty stricken nation which only produces crude.

One country was a leader in science. The other is a isn't. One country was historically one of the most powerful countries in the world. The other isn't.

The similarities are so striking.

But, Che, relative to his neighbors, Iraq with WoMD is the superpower of the region. Couple that with his past aggressive wars to solve border disputes (same as Hitler) he is guaranteed to cause havoc if we do nothing now and withdraw. In a short few years, we may be asked to go back to the region to confront an Iraqi regime bristling with nuclear and other WoMD.

Is that what you want?

The lesson of 1936-19 is that you have to stand firm and confront a growing menance. If you don't, the danger grows until putting it down become a f*ckin nightmare.