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As a result, ethnic cleansing and internecine violence has killed hundreds of thousands under the watch of America. Analysts informed that US troops levels were insufficient and finally Dabuya brought more in a "Surge", but alas, it has done nothing for political reconciliation.

Bush claimed that the Iraq War's purpose was to bring democracy and freedom to the Middle East. Indeed, elections were held, but the government that resulted is rife with factionalism and is dysfunctional. Certainly, a divided government that acts on behalf of various militias and is unable to provide public services is not what most Iraqis or Americans would endorse. With unemployment about 70%, many areas without electricity or other basic services most of the time, perhaps over a million civilians killed, several million as refugees and millions exposed to toxic depleted uranium dust that causes chromosomal damage, Iraq is in poor shape. It is not an example that can be proudly touted to others in advocating American intervention.

The fact that America has been unable to get Iraqi oil output back to pre-invasion levels shows managerial incompetence and the dedication of the insurgents to denying those economic resources to America's allies. Perhaps, it indicates that going after the huge Iraqi oil reserves may not have been as large a motivator in the invasion as originally thought. However, given Republican presidential candidate frontrunner John McCain's willingness to talk about staying in Iraq for 100 years, the Iraqi oil could still be a long term motivator.

Although Saddam's invasion of Kuwait created great environmental damage, with some oil wells set ablaze, it did not result in long term upheaval or unrest there. On the other hand, the American invasion has brought sorrow and hardship to most families in Iraq. Kurdistan has been the exception, spared most of the mayheim, due to the legacy of having been under the protective no-fly zone and cooperation among disparate elements there. However, the Sunni, Shiite and mixed areas of Iraq have been tormented by death squads and terrorism, precisely what Dabuya told us America invaded to prevent. Although most of the Iraqi terrorists' victims have been fellow Iraqis, it is terrorism just the same and it has undermined the chances for near term peaceful co-existence.

Dabuya left the political heavy lifting to the Iraqis, who had little history of compromise. Instead they have bickered and fought each other, even those from the same sect. The Qu'ran warns Muslims amply about taking Jews, Christians or non-believers as protectors and American troops invariably fall into those categories. It is no use pretending that the vast majority of Iraqis are not Muslims. Obviously, American-style democracy has failed to inspire the Iraqis. Instead of recognizing the obvious failures early enough to institute countermeasures and avoid alienating most Iraqis, the American neo-cons have persistently maintained an imperialistic military occupation to protect American interests. Instead of recognizing our abject failure to inspire the Iraqis, America expects different results from the same old tired strategy, a sure sign of insanity or at least an inability to get a grip on reality. It is grossly immoral and if America is not careful, we could end up with many more years of it.

Learn more about this author, Robert C. Sage.
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