...And in Iraq today, (click here) Wilson had to correct the new Pentagon chief again over comments related to Iraq and 9/11.
"The reason you guys are here is because of 9/11. The U.S. got attacked and 3,000 human beings got killed because of al-Qaida,"Panetta told soldiers in Baghdad. "We've been fighting as a result of that."
Maybe the former CIA chief knows something we don't, but a link between Saddam Hussein and the 9/11 attacks has been widely disputed by critics who say it was used as a superficial justification for entering that war.
Wilson once again had to backtrack after Panetta spoke, according to AFP.
‘I don't think he's getting into the argument of 2002-2003,' as the reason for the Iraq invasion, Wilson told reporters, adding that his boss was ‘a plain-spoken secretary.'...
Former Secretary Panetta has it all wrong. I think he wrote the book because hatred of President Obama sells better than peace. This is from The Iraq Study Group. Iraq's immediate problem is Iraq, but, it sincere problem was "W".
B. Consequences of Continued Decline in Iraq (click here)
If the situation in Iraq continues to deteriorate, the consequences could be severe for Iraq, the United States, the region, and the world.
Continuing violence could lead toward greater chaos, and inflict greater suffering upon the Iraqi people. A collapse of Iraq’s government and economy would further cripple a country already unable to meet its people’s needs. Iraq’s security forces could split along sectarian lines. A humanitarian catastrophe could follow as more refugees are forced to relocate across the country and the region. Ethnic cleansing could escalate. The Iraqi people could be subjected to
"The reason you guys are here is because of 9/11. The U.S. got attacked and 3,000 human beings got killed because of al-Qaida,"Panetta told soldiers in Baghdad. "We've been fighting as a result of that."
Maybe the former CIA chief knows something we don't, but a link between Saddam Hussein and the 9/11 attacks has been widely disputed by critics who say it was used as a superficial justification for entering that war.
Wilson once again had to backtrack after Panetta spoke, according to AFP.
‘I don't think he's getting into the argument of 2002-2003,' as the reason for the Iraq invasion, Wilson told reporters, adding that his boss was ‘a plain-spoken secretary.'...
Former Secretary Panetta has it all wrong. I think he wrote the book because hatred of President Obama sells better than peace. This is from The Iraq Study Group. Iraq's immediate problem is Iraq, but, it sincere problem was "W".
B. Consequences of Continued Decline in Iraq (click here)
If the situation in Iraq continues to deteriorate, the consequences could be severe for Iraq, the United States, the region, and the world.
Continuing violence could lead toward greater chaos, and inflict greater suffering upon the Iraqi people. A collapse of Iraq’s government and economy would further cripple a country already unable to meet its people’s needs. Iraq’s security forces could split along sectarian lines. A humanitarian catastrophe could follow as more refugees are forced to relocate across the country and the region. Ethnic cleansing could escalate. The Iraqi people could be subjected to
another strongman who flexes the political and military muscle required to impose order amid anarchy. Freedoms could be lost....
The Iraq Study Group's conclusions were published in December 2006. It is comprehensive and spells out clearly the real consequences IF Iraq continued to decline. It spells our sectarian problems and the inability for any governance by Sunnis because of threats from so called al Qaeda, but, also the Ba'athists.
Does anyone believe the Iraqis in governance of that country read the report? Sure they did. What compels sectarianism? The return of another Saddam and the report validated those fears.
The report was read by everyone. The Iraqis, the Sunni Sheikhs, Iran, Syria, Israel, NATO, Russia and China to simply mention a few. It really does tear down the USA invasion and the reconstruction. What does anyone believe the region was going to do following that report? Basically, they held on to their hats, crossed their fingers and hoped for the best.
Four years later, December 2010, the Arab Spring began in Tunisia. It spread like wildfire. The countries in Northern Africa either continued to be ruled by monarchs such as Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the UAE or they were in flat out anarchy and revolt.
The USA didn't leave Iraq until a year later in December 2011. The Shi'ite majority had set themselves up in protection of their people and a prevention of any Sunni or otherwise that would replace Saddam. I don't blame them. The USA was not welcome in Iraq and the Iraq Study Group report made that perfectly clear page after page after page. The Iraq Study Group stated the USA should pull back a large number of troops out of Iraq.
The report also stated, the assessment of STABILITY as 'elusive' with a deteriorating situation. It also stated Iraq's neighbors, including Iran and Syria MUST be included in an external diplomatic effort to stabilize Iraq. Both Iran and Syrian leadership are Shia. The report also states diverting much needed resources from Afghanistan to Iraq was causing an imbalance in Afghanistan. It was before this Afghanistan returned to a Poppy Economy without interruption.
"W" never addressed the diplomatic needs for Iraq AT ALL. He refused to talk to Iran and never wanted to bother with Syria, it was Russia's headache.
Not quite three years later after the last American soldier left Iraq the country found itself being threatened by a rebel group that was able to build it's power through buying and selling Syrian oil and obtaining weapons and sophisticated military vehicles from Iraq's army compliments of "W."
When Leon Panetta writes about the 'missteps' of President Obama it is obvious he never read The Iraq Study Group report.
The collapse of Iraq can be assigned to many reasons and many players. The idea the USA could simply provide weapons to rebels while crossing it's finger they would find their way to a noble cause with well trained military groups is Fairy Dust. It sounds good for McCain to strike out as a maverick to be the right wing USA public hero, but, in application it was disastrous.
What has occurred in Iraq was expected to occur by predictions made by a study group eight years ago. "W" never carried out the recommendations. He never accepted the fact he was the problem that brought Iraq into sectarian strife and anarchy. He always figured just getting rid of Saddam would bring a hero's welcome by the Iraq people and the rest of the Fairy Dust would actually come true.
Now, I haven't read the study by Former Secretary Panetta (If it exists at all.) contradicting the Iraq Study Group and blaming President Obama for rewriting USA policy to FAIL in Iraq. But, since Panetta's book scapegoats the USA's President, I am only left to wonder, "What the hell was he doing for the years he was in the DOD? Partying with Petraeus because they both sound the same only I don't recall the book by the retired general on book shelves across the globe?"
Letter from the Co-Chairs
There is no magic formula to solve the problems of Iraq. However, there are actions that can be taken to improve the situation and protect American interests....
...In this consensus report, the ten members of the Iraq Study Group present a new approach because we believe there is a better way forward. All options have not been exhausted. We believe it is still possible to pursue different policies that can give Iraq an opportunity for a better future, combat terrorism, stabilize a critical region of the world, and protect America’s credibility, interests, and values. Our report makes it clear that the Iraqi government and the Iraqi people also must act to achieve a stable and hopeful future....
The Iraq Study Group's conclusions were published in December 2006. It is comprehensive and spells out clearly the real consequences IF Iraq continued to decline. It spells our sectarian problems and the inability for any governance by Sunnis because of threats from so called al Qaeda, but, also the Ba'athists.
Does anyone believe the Iraqis in governance of that country read the report? Sure they did. What compels sectarianism? The return of another Saddam and the report validated those fears.
The report was read by everyone. The Iraqis, the Sunni Sheikhs, Iran, Syria, Israel, NATO, Russia and China to simply mention a few. It really does tear down the USA invasion and the reconstruction. What does anyone believe the region was going to do following that report? Basically, they held on to their hats, crossed their fingers and hoped for the best.
Four years later, December 2010, the Arab Spring began in Tunisia. It spread like wildfire. The countries in Northern Africa either continued to be ruled by monarchs such as Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the UAE or they were in flat out anarchy and revolt.
The USA didn't leave Iraq until a year later in December 2011. The Shi'ite majority had set themselves up in protection of their people and a prevention of any Sunni or otherwise that would replace Saddam. I don't blame them. The USA was not welcome in Iraq and the Iraq Study Group report made that perfectly clear page after page after page. The Iraq Study Group stated the USA should pull back a large number of troops out of Iraq.
The report also stated, the assessment of STABILITY as 'elusive' with a deteriorating situation. It also stated Iraq's neighbors, including Iran and Syria MUST be included in an external diplomatic effort to stabilize Iraq. Both Iran and Syrian leadership are Shia. The report also states diverting much needed resources from Afghanistan to Iraq was causing an imbalance in Afghanistan. It was before this Afghanistan returned to a Poppy Economy without interruption.
"W" never addressed the diplomatic needs for Iraq AT ALL. He refused to talk to Iran and never wanted to bother with Syria, it was Russia's headache.
Not quite three years later after the last American soldier left Iraq the country found itself being threatened by a rebel group that was able to build it's power through buying and selling Syrian oil and obtaining weapons and sophisticated military vehicles from Iraq's army compliments of "W."
When Leon Panetta writes about the 'missteps' of President Obama it is obvious he never read The Iraq Study Group report.
The collapse of Iraq can be assigned to many reasons and many players. The idea the USA could simply provide weapons to rebels while crossing it's finger they would find their way to a noble cause with well trained military groups is Fairy Dust. It sounds good for McCain to strike out as a maverick to be the right wing USA public hero, but, in application it was disastrous.
What has occurred in Iraq was expected to occur by predictions made by a study group eight years ago. "W" never carried out the recommendations. He never accepted the fact he was the problem that brought Iraq into sectarian strife and anarchy. He always figured just getting rid of Saddam would bring a hero's welcome by the Iraq people and the rest of the Fairy Dust would actually come true.
Now, I haven't read the study by Former Secretary Panetta (If it exists at all.) contradicting the Iraq Study Group and blaming President Obama for rewriting USA policy to FAIL in Iraq. But, since Panetta's book scapegoats the USA's President, I am only left to wonder, "What the hell was he doing for the years he was in the DOD? Partying with Petraeus because they both sound the same only I don't recall the book by the retired general on book shelves across the globe?"
Letter from the Co-Chairs
There is no magic formula to solve the problems of Iraq. However, there are actions that can be taken to improve the situation and protect American interests....
...In this consensus report, the ten members of the Iraq Study Group present a new approach because we believe there is a better way forward. All options have not been exhausted. We believe it is still possible to pursue different policies that can give Iraq an opportunity for a better future, combat terrorism, stabilize a critical region of the world, and protect America’s credibility, interests, and values. Our report makes it clear that the Iraqi government and the Iraqi people also must act to achieve a stable and hopeful future....
