Let Iraq be Iraq

Wed., June 18, 2014

Conveniently forgotten in the rush to place blame for the current Iraq crisis: The original Iraq invasion was a giant misstep, compounded by the stupid move of disbanding Saddam Hussein’s army rather than repurposing it.

Conveniently forgotten: The oft-referenced “American people” clamored to get out of Iraq as soon as possible.

Conveniently forgotten: The Iraqi government would not agree to our terms for a residual U.S. military force to remain.

Conveniently never considered: No one can force an end to ancient tribal hatreds and impose unity upon those who do not want it. Let Iraq determine what it wants to be, at long last, after decades of foreign manipulation, then deal with their chosen reality, whether it is to our liking or not.

Jackie McCowen-Rose

Spokane

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