On Mar 21, 2006, at 6:38 AM, Andrew Crystall wrote:
Iraq is to terrorists what a swamp is to mosquitos. We dry up the
swamp -
or at least some portion of it - by leaving.
How much of a portion, however? Most of the groups active in Iraq
have made it clear that they won't respect borders in what they see
as an ideological struggle.
...and most of those groups aren't capable of operating beyond
borders. They're bandits.
AndrewC
(Do remember, I'm Jewish, Zionist and have VERY strong views on the
subject of terror)
Then you should be against engaging in activites that have a
tendency to
increase the terrorist's numbers and increase their motivation to
attack
the West and eventually Israel as well.
Israel is and isn't a different situation.
That we know, but that's not the point Doug was making.
Lesson learned: invading or militarily suppressing a territory
without any real strategy for rebuilding, or understanding of how the
various factions will act when let off the leash, PROMOTES terrorist
recruitment.
Continuing that action may make things worse, but it definitely won't
make it better. As Doug says, if the only result of staying is the
loss of more American lives, what's the point? Put those resources
into intelligence and military precision strike teams, and contain
the problem.
Compare with Iran: the same cycle has started. Staring down, gradual
ramping up of pressure. When historically, the only way that has kept
the region free of nukes (ignoring Israel's for the purposes of this
discussion as they're tactical weapons, not potential terror weapons)
has been standoff and tactical bombing or limited strike at specific
sites.
Charlie
_______________________________________________
http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
