tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029092777053537.post3722520230373461943..comments2024-01-09T21:24:26.589-05:00Comments on The Catholic Libertarian: The Iraq PlanAnthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06638332009159486046noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029092777053537.post-8513027777000442652009-03-01T19:20:00.000-05:002009-03-01T19:20:00.000-05:00But I am worried that we will see saber rattling o...<EM>But I am worried that we will see saber rattling on Pakistan and Iran.</EM><BR/><BR/>So am I. Moreso Pakistan, because of the border situation with Afghanistan, than Iran.<BR/>The Taliban is not an international organization. It is no threat to anybody--except for being willing to harbor al-Qaeda types. That said, push come to shove, the Pakistanis aren't much better in terms of being a safe harbor for bad guys, but may also pose a threat beyond their borders.Rodakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00077919085157653816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029092777053537.post-7324954051068873062009-03-01T18:10:00.000-05:002009-03-01T18:10:00.000-05:00Rob-As I said, what someone says when a dark horse...Rob-<BR/><BR/>As I said, what someone says when a dark horse is not necessarily how they will govern. I find little to complain about in the Iraq plan. <BR/><BR/>But so far, except for the appointments of Susan Rice and Charles Freeman, I see little to complain about on foriegn policy. But I am worried that we will see saber rattling on Pakistan and Iran.<BR/><BR/>My policy on Pakistan and Afghanistan basiocally will be that we draw a line and tell the Taliban and Pakistani extremeists that they can do what they want inside the line, but if they venture outside lots of stuff will blow up inside the line.<BR/><BR/>As for Iran, my policy would be based on the policy announced by Don Corleone during the "peace conference" in Godfather I.Anthonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06638332009159486046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029092777053537.post-21238664768940665422009-03-01T16:02:00.000-05:002009-03-01T16:02:00.000-05:00What he promised to do in the MIddle East from the...What he promised to do in the MIddle East from the stump were promises that I was ready and willing to forgive for breaking, once he was in office.Rodakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00077919085157653816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029092777053537.post-1546725751208653092009-03-01T15:37:00.000-05:002009-03-01T15:37:00.000-05:00Rodak -- You have no reason to be disappointed. ...Rodak -- You have no reason to be disappointed. This is pretty much exactly what he said he was going to do. <BR/><BR/>My big concerns are (i) that Obama will escalate the war in the Afghan/Pakistan border regions (this will have repurcussions in Pakistan) and (ii) that he will do something military against Iran.Anthonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06638332009159486046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4029092777053537.post-90840705840137131762009-03-01T08:35:00.000-05:002009-03-01T08:35:00.000-05:00the combat would end and US troops, if they remain...<EM>the combat would end and US troops, if they remained, would be in bases like US troops in Germany or Japan.</EM><BR/><BR/>But that, in the case of the Middle East, is totally unrealistic. It ain't gonna happen. Or, more accurately, it ain't gonna happen unless the remaining U.S. troops are there to protect another "brutal military dictator" who can keep an iron hand on the many elements who hate the U.S. (not without reason, at this point) and maintain virtual martial law in the street. <BR/>We already had that once: Saddam Hussein.<BR/>We had it in Iran once: the Shah.<BR/>We have it in Egypt now: Mubarak.<BR/>We're hoping to hold onto it in Pakistan.<BR/>The Saudis kicked our bases out to save their monarchy from certain civil war and insurgency.<BR/>You get the picture, right?<BR/>All of that said, Obama is starting to piss me off, big time.<BR/>The time to start bringing the troops out is--today. And that includes Afghanistan. My God, read some history! What has happened to every invader of that region, without exception, regardless of its military power?<BR/>Does nobody realize that it was Afghanistan--not Ronald Reagan--that bankrupted the Soviet Union?Rodakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00077919085157653816noreply@blogger.com