America's Debate > Can we (really) stabilize Iraq?

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Paladin Elspeth

Nov 5 2004, 06:33 PM

Doctors Without Borders pull out of Iraq

QUOTE(ABC News Online)

Last Update: Friday, November 5, 2004. Aid agency Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) says it is pulling out of Iraq because of escalating violence in the country and danger to its staff.

<SNIP>

It blames the pullout primarily on the risk of kidnappings and violence by insurgents, as well as on coalition forces limiting its "humanitarian space".

"It has become impossible for us, as an international humanitarian organisation, to guarantee an acceptable level of security for our staff, whether they are expatriates or Iraqis," Gorik Ooms, director general of MSF-Belgium, said.

Care Int'l Suspends Iraq Humanitarian Work

QUOTE(ABC News International)

BAGHDAD, Iraq Oct 20, 2004 — Care International suspended operations in Iraq on Wednesday after gunmen seized the woman who ran the humanitarian organization's work in the country. The victim's Iraqi husband appealed to the kidnappers to free her "in the name of humanity, Islam and brotherhood."

<snip>

Hassan has lived in Baghdad for 30 years, helping supply medicines and other humanitarian aid and speaking out about Iraqis' suffering under international sanctions during the 1990s.

<snip>

"Our staff are not operating currently there, they're certainly not working there now in light of the current situation," Robert Glasser, CARE Australia's chief executive officer, told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio.

At least 30 male hostages have been killed, including three Americans and a Briton beheaded by their captors.

There are a lot of claims that Coalition forces (read: mostly the U.S.) are making great strides in securing Iraq for self-governance, and that the news media are painting a picture of Iraq that is far worse than it really is.

In light of the continued attacks on humanitarian aid workers, truck drivers, journalists, Iraqi police, Iraqi police wannabes waiting in lines to sign up, and American and British troops, is it realistic to believe that Iraq can be stabilized?

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London2LA

Nov 5 2004, 07:25 PM

In light of the continued attacks on humanitarian aid workers, truck drivers, journalists, Iraqi police, Iraqi police wannabes waiting in lines to sign up, and American and British troops, is it realistic to believe that Iraq can be stabilized?

Iraq was stable under Saddam Hussein and I'm afraid it will take that level of authoritarian control to keep the country from descending into civil war. Iraq is a totally artificial country with naturally warring factions that can only be kept from killing each other by force. Its much the same as with Yugoslavia after Tito's death. The rush to impose Democracy will just speed the inevitable I'm afraid, people will vote down ethnic lines and the Shia will take permanent control which will be unacceptable to the Sunnis and Kurds.

We're going to have to either let the country split apart into more natural geopolitical entities or allow strong authoritarian rule. I think the US is going to have to accept the latter as the alternative will pull in Turkey as the Kurds try to unite with the Kurds there to form an independant Kurdistan, possibly Iran as it tries to aid the Sunnis etc. It will be the new Lebanon.

Its perhaps an apocolyptic view, but I don't think it can be stabilized AND achieve US goals of a stable, democratic, shining example to the rest of the middle east.

logophage

Nov 6 2004, 02:06 AM

In light of the continued attacks on humanitarian aid workers, truck drivers, journalists, Iraqi police, Iraqi police wannabes waiting in lines to sign up, and American and British troops, is it realistic to believe that Iraq can be stabilized?

I believe there is only one way at this point to stabilize Iraq: bring in at least 500,000 troops. Anything less will be insufficient. This is what the military has been saying and I believe them. Of course, bringing in that level of troops is tantamount to a draft. It will also cost a whole bunch o' money.

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