by Jeremy Maples

Created on: February 10, 2007   Last Updated: April 19, 2007

A Plan for Iraq

There may be no sure fire answer to the conflict that is raging in Iraq. The safest bet for the United States would be for a tactical withdrawl, giving the reigns to the Iraqi government.

Despite the apparent civil war between the Shi'ite and Sunni muslims over power in the struggling country, they are united in the concept that the United States should not be occupying their country any longer. One of our many concerns is the threat of Iran to the fledgling democracy. It has already been proven that the nation of Iraq is resilient and can stand up against Iran as they did in the 1980's when Saddam Hussein was in power. We believe that we are in the right by continuing our struggle to secure the country and restore peace, but peace has been a concept not known to that region for thousands of years. Do we honestly believe we can influence the region that much as to instill peace in a land of war?

It is time to show that we trust the new Iraqi government, and allow them the opportunity to govern. It is due time to stop holding their hand and give them an ultimatum, take control and bring order while we are here or do it while we are gone. It is not an ideal situation, but the American people will be much more receptive to a decrease in troops in the area, and so will the Iraqi's. As long as Iraqi's feel that we are occupying their nation against their will, they will attack us, and want us gone. All it would take to alleviate this would be to simply reduce forces to approximately 25% of the current active force and use that group as strictly a training tool to aid the Iraqi police and military force while they build strength and confidence to perform their duties. Then when the Iraqi forces are up to speed we remove the remaining troops from the area of responsibility (AOR), and leave the Iraqi's to take care of themselves.

We need to begin extensive talks with neighboring countries to include: Syria, Iran, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and others from the Middle East to help their fellow Arab nation. We need these nations on the same page and willing to cooperate. Although it may seem fool hearty, we need to take the pressure off of the nation of Iran concerning their nuclear program. This is a key nation in the region and can have considerable influence on the Middle East. Although the possiblity of Iran producing nuclear weapons exists, it may only be a ploy, a simple gimmick to gain attention in the worlds eye, and as long as we continue to pressure them,

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