Yes, people will laugh at the USA if...

Submitted by Prajnalankar Bhikkhu (India), Jan 12, 2007 at 10:23

In war, all the parties involved suffer lose. Victory and defeat are just people's perception of parties involved in war. After one's defeat if he thinks that he has won or after his win if he thinks that he has lost, it is his personal problem. It has nothing to do with the ground reality. Actual victorious is one who stands on the ground at the end of war with his flag hoisted and take control over the state of affairs.

In the Israel-Lebanon war, no sides have won or lost. But the ground reality is it is the opponent of Israel who suffered the most and to an incomparable proportion. Viewed from this point, Israel has won the war. Because of this war, the economy and achievements of Lebanon have gone at least 20 years back. And Hezbulla will think twice before doing things like what it did against Israel before the war.

Yes, you are right -- everybody will laugh at the USA if it withdraws troops from Iraq at this stage of the conflict and without accomplishing its mission there. People will say the Super Power was defeated by terrorists, and terrorists and their supporters and sponsors will be encouraged by it and all the democratic, free and civilized societies will be in threat.

Therefore, the USA must accomplish its mission in Iraq as well as in the Middle-East. It has all the means and resources for that.

In this context, the "new strategy" of the Bush Administration in the Middle-East should be comprehensive and decisive. It should heavy handedly deal with terrorists and those who encourage and support them with arms, training, funds and shelter.

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