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Perhaps a slow withdrawal of troops from Iraq coupled with a build-up of troops in Afghanistan. The suffering we have caused the people of Iraq is nearly equalled by our betrayal and desertion of the people of Afghanistan. Most notably in our abandonment of promoting progress and equality for women. When I think of the good we could have done in Afghanistan with the money we went spent invading Iraq it makes my head spin. Not to mention what it would have done for our public image in the eyes of the Islamic world.
BUT, our country invaded Iraq and Iraq is now our problem. Perhaps, if we left, they would straighten out their problems on their own, but I doubt it. I think it more likely that Iraq would remain unstable for, at least, decades, riven with political and religious strife and possibly turn into the proving ground for terrorism that the Bush administration tried to sell it as before the war. As Afghanistan is now...again.
I believe it is imperative for us to leave behind our endeavors in the Islamic world with some semblance of a positive effect that might lead to drastic changes in the region. I know, I tend to have my goofy optimistic streak, too, but I also don't see any other recourse.
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Most people go through life dreading they'll have a traumatic experience. Freaks were born with their trauma. They've already passed their test in life. They're aristocrats. - Diane Arbus
PESSIMISM, n. A philosophy forced upon the convictions of the observer by the disheartening prevalence of the optimist with his scarecrow hope and his unsightly smile. - Ambrose Bierce
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