Sparks,
I think we have forces in WE as a remnant of the Cold War. There was a time when there was a purpose. Now, even as a "forward deployment" they're in the wrong place IMO. I doubt any of us see major ground combat in Europe in the near term.
OTOH, as a "forward deployment" it's probably advantageous to have the heavy equipment and stores there rather than in US East Coast bases. We've all seen that every military spends more on combat equipment than transport equipment. We've all seen the problem of getting the combat equipment to where it's needed as a result.
So, perhaps there's minor justification but I feel it's long past time to address the issue. Bring them home, build more/better/faster transportation for them.
you think that the Iraq invasion was to secure a democratic and peaceful regime in Iraq.I don't. Never did. This was an inevitable "byproduct" goal however. SH had to be replaced with something and it sure as heck wasn't going to be another dictator. They may end up there, who really knows. But it's not going to start out that way.
you will certainly get a "special relationship" with the incoming regime which gives you influence and maybe veto over the worlds second largest energy reserve.Seriously doubt that. They're not THAT much in love with us and they seem pretty intent on asserting their independence and sovereignity. As well they should be.
Its about strategic influence in the region and over the use of the resource.It is about strategic influence, true. I think events in Libya have shown that. No, I'm not one of the one's that believes Ghadaffi was begging for raproachment for the last 10 years. Sorry, Lockerbie and buying uranium from NK show an unbroken line of intent over the years to me.
Surely it's meant as a statement to Iran as well. They weren't named in the "Axis of Evil" speech on a whim. They saw a force much smaller than the GW1 force roll up SH's military in an amazingly short time. I doubt that was lost on them.
If this is such a humanitarian mission then why don't other deserving causes get a similar benevolent guiding hand?Because no one is willing? Basically no one was willing to do Iraq, were they? The US, GB, Australia and a few others.
Do you have any doubt that, given the desire, the "world" as represented by the UN has the ability to go into dungholes like the Sudan and clean out the people doing the genocide?
Sure, we all could do that. But people would die. It's pretty clear there's a lot of folks willing to bemoan the state of affairs but dang few willing to die to change them.
Not a condemnation there, just an observation.
Use of the resource?
Unless I seriously miss my guess, Iraq will simply return to being another OPEC member with oil to sell on the world market. We'll be paying the going rate to them just like everyone else.
Possibly they'd do us the favor of pumping more oil to moderate prices like the Saudis just did. That's about all I'd hope for or expect.
Come on Changing World Technologies! Biodiesel from turkey blood!!
