Nation Building is Unrealistic

Submitted by Denis Armstrong (United States), Apr 28, 2004 at 21:21

I agree with the writer. I can tell from the spirit of what he writes that he is taking a realistic view of what the U.S. can do in Iraq by way of social and political reform. He does so without being in sympathy with the left's reflexive opposition to the war. I appreciate his articulation of this view which I share.

I am in sympathy with the noble aspirations of our president who would bring freedom and democracy to Iraq. The problem, as I see it, is that the Iraqis don't want it. I see no evidence that the majority of Iraqis want anything other than an Islamic theocracy. Even moderate Muslims have no desire for western style democracy in that country.

The world is safer because Saddam is gone. U.S. security interests have been advanced and now it would be best if we leave Iraq as soon as practicable and look at destroying the nest of terrorists in Syria and then confronting the nuclear ambitions of Iran.

Expending enormous resources to turn Iraq into a western style democracy is futile and wasteful.

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