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Originally Posted by irateplatypus
opie,
if you were the president and (hypothetically) were forced to conduct a war against a country with resources similar to those possessed by pre-war iraq... how would you modify the tactics used by President Bush/General Franks to create a situation where the least number of civilian casualties took place?
please don't say "i'd never fight a war." that may be true, so you're welcome to add the disclaimer, but wars have been an inevitable part of human existence since the dawn of recorded history. we must deal with the realities of our times... and i'm sincerely interested in hearing how you would conduct a war that was more fair/human/legitimate.
if we are to win the war on terrorism, than surely a fair and humane war are in our best interest... so this certainly applies to the thread topic. you can take this request or you can leave it, but i'm interested to hear of any improvements that may be possible.
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Firstly, I would never allow myself to be President. I have much disdain for anyone that would seek such a position - they contain the exact qualities of those who should never have it.
Secondly, if I found myself in the unfortunate position of being President of the U.S., I would not have preemptively attacked Iraq.
(Even) If Iraq had WMDs I would have worked with the U.N. to create effective sanctions. In the process I would also entirely alter the U.S. relationship with all countries in the Middle East - even if it meant the collapse of our economy. There is no justification for our continued existence if it requires the destruction of another's continued existence. We are destroying the Middle East - and by virtue, it is attacking us as its last ditch effort of survival. It will only get worse as long as we continue to suck it dry and finance the dictatorships.
Should we go in and militarily remove those dictatorships? No. I do not see us as capable of doing that at all. We cannot pick the next dictator and we cannot force democracy. The best option, the only option, is to distance ourselves rapidly from those dictatorships and treat terrorists as criminals by using intelligence, diplomatic relations and precision extractions.