Iraq
Posted : June 28, 2005 at 6:29 pm [America/Los_Angeles]
Is it worth it? I don’t know. I am not so sure if this is the right time to be asking the question either. Here’s what I do know: As much as I hate many aspects of this war and its perpetrators, setting a deadline in Iraq is N-O-T an option. Why? Remember the “Pottery Barn rule” of foreign policy: You break it. You own it. Today, Iraq is broken. Whether it was broken before the start of this Iraq war is up for interpretations. However, there cannot be a shred of doubt that it’s broken today. And Americans need to continue to own it. Sorry. No Super glue here. Nation building is a bitch. Nation building in the midst of seemingly unlimited supply of barbarians is even worse. Can America lose? Unlikely. Can it win? Maybe. I think they can win but only if they’re prudent, pragmatic and really really patient about it. And after the bugle of victory has been sounded, Americans (Right or Left) will have plenty of time to ponder over this question: Was it all worth it?
— me (upon listening to President Bush’s address to the nation)
- Anand
Category: US