Originally Posted by Shambles

Its not the fact that there are military bases there. Last time I checked there wasnt a civil war that exploded post "Mission Accomplished" in either of those countries. The reason why they were setup is also a different reason.

Korea was setup to be a deterrant to the North Koreans. Germany and Japan were setup to quell any rebellion post WWII.



How are you going to setup a foreign military base in the middle of a civil war?



Because that was one of the arguments pushed forward (Either you're with us or against us...Saddam supported Al Qaida w/ money and training grounds, etc...). This was after all part of the War on Terror and the Axis of Evil.

PART of the main reason is that Saddam wasnt cooperating. The other half was because of bad intelligence from Chalibi and other intelligence outlets (CIA, etc) saying that Saddam had WMD's ready to go. We know this is now false. The only WMD's that have been recovered were so degraded they could no be used in combat.

The focus has suddenly changed from WMD's to freeing the Iraqi people. I dont see too many Iraqi's being freed though.



We wouldnt go to North Korea for 2 reasons.

1) We are too outstreched.

2) China doesnt want the war with NK not because of the presence of US troops, but because China doesnt want the influx of refugees out of NK in their borders.

Besides, the US wouldnt even attack China. We're basically the main reason for their HUGE economic growth.



Pot, meet kettle.



In the drumming up this was supposed to be a quick process. Now its long and drawn out. You cant have it both ways here.



So this war is about Oil? Iraq has hurt OPEC more than it has helped it. Large pipeline disruptions doesnt help barrel production.



Not quite. We do have enough stores of oil to sustain ourselves for the next 10 years (Alaska and the Gulf Ridge). Lets also not mention the sudden rapid development of Solar electricty, wind energy, hydroelectric energy, etc. What you have outlined would be if there was a TOTAL cutoff of oil, with absolutely nothing able to replenish it.



Yes, because I like having my troops streched thin, resources drained, and my generals and military staff at odds with the commander in chief and Secretary of Defense.

Its not our place to be there.