Iraq: the British endgame

[brazenhussy]

About time to - be interesting to see if this happens........

http://politics.guardian.co.uk/iraq/story/0,,2017824,00.html

 

[slim]

The sooner the better. We are loosing too many young lives in our vain attempt to control a country who's factions will not live in peace together. Let us pull out and they can have their civil war.

 

[silverfox]

I think there are quite a few people out here who would take exception to the word 'vain' - there has been a genuine improvement for a lot of people in the provinces run and now handed back by the UK forces. In many cases the old tribal system and hierachy that exisited pre Saddam has kicked in and had a major influence in providing stability - the insurgeants(?) , who are quite often non local, have been told to go and 'insurge' elsewhere. Having said all that - what will happen when we do start to leave is a very good question. The UK vacated one FOB without a true handover and within 24hrs the place had been completely looted..

I thought the sceptics would not be happy with us going as they start a temporary force surge (the extra 20,000 troops are part of a planned roulement change - they've just made the handover 3 months long..) but actually they see it as a success and a vindication of policy. However the problems in Baghdad are completely different to those in the SE...

 

[dixie_gooner]

Surely this is just a smoke screen. To me, we are not pulling out, but the 1,000+ that we deployed in September are returning after completing their tour.

 

[slim]

Sorry SF but I am of the opinion that whatever we do and however long we stay civil war is inevitable. It is against the Koran to take the life of another Muslim, this is happenning daily. It is not going to change. For one I do not wish to see any more reported deaths or injuries to British servicemen. The sooner we pull out and let the Muslim population sort out their own problems the better. The money we are spending on this war would be better spent on finding cheap non fossil fuel alternatives for our energy needs.

 

[Lingyai]

The "endgame" will come from the next warlord who take control of Iraq, we can try and help but we have to leave at some point (hopefully) and democracy will fail and they will return to a dictatorship with a tough guy in charge. Might as well pull out now really, but I can't see it.

 

[RoofRat]

I agree with Ling, and will add that, the Rags will always follow the man with the biggest stick. Its in their nature JMHO
Bring our troops home now, but lets give them a hearty thank you and a warm welcome home.
RoofRat

 

[Standard_Bearer]

I would like to know will the units, that are pulled out of Iraq, after being rested be goimg to Afghanistan or even worse be going into Iran :cry:
The Russians a few years ago pulled their troops out of Eastern Europe and sent them to Afghanistan!
I don't trust this government one little bit, I didn't vote for them and I never will :smile:

 

[Deeps]

Going to Iran? Do you know something that the rest of the British army doesnt?.I there is know way on earth British Forces will be involved in any ''attack'' on Iran. This is the press getting carried away yet again.

As for resting soldiers before going to Afganistan, of course they egt rested. You dont just send soldiers where ever at the drop of a hat. Units are part of brigades ,so generally the Brigades know well in adavnce when and where there tours are.Of course prior to deploying they are involved in months of UK/Germany based training.

As for the Endgame in Iraq ,well as soon as the Iraqi security services/army have got a grip on there job and all the provinces have been handed back to Iraqi control ,our job is done in Iraq and we can come home.

 

[aussiepint]

My head's spinning again! Panorama interview on Monday night with parents of dead soldiers for every year of this bloody war-now TB will pull them out? Prince Harry is suppose to go? Oh I don't know let's just bring the troops home instread, Ok Charlie you walking advertisement for republicism? Who knows anymore really!! I just from the bottom of my being, that this is going to happen!

 

[silverfox]

Sorry SF but I am of the opinion that whatever we do and however long we stay civil war is inevitable. It is against the Koran to take the life of another Muslim, this is happenning daily. It is not going to change. For one I do not wish to see any more reported deaths or injuries to British servicemen. The sooner we pull out and let the Muslim population sort out their own problems the better. The money we are spending on this war would be better spent on finding cheap non fossil fuel alternatives for our energy needs.

Don't have any issues with what you say here Slim - and I don't think we are on opposing views. We are in the position of saying "stop shooting at us/each other and we will go away" What happens then is anyone's guess although I think you are unfortunately near the mark. The original point I was trying to make was over the use of the word 'vain'. Our presence has made a positive difference to a significant portion of the population. Your comment about the price paid for the positive and its continued affordability hits the nail on the head.

 

[slim]

SF
I consider myself one of the lucky ones. I left long before this stupid conflict started. I was in for the Falkland war but spent my time at Aberporth on 29JSTU a sea skua trials flight. I remember vividly reports of friends being killed or injured. This was a conflict that I was behind 100% , however after the war was won it was reported that had Maggie acted earlier it would never have happenned. The Falklands however was our war. The Iraq war is not. Once again after the war it is reported that the British public were mislead by lies and half truths. Why are we in a country where the indigenous population have no respect for our service personnel or our religion.
We should never have gone in, however it is time to get out and leave the population to their own devices. I would rather 10,000 Iraqi's died than one more British soldier