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Is it right to call the situation in Iraq a 'war'? I would like to know what you think.
I think if it were officially called an 'occupation' (or another term - any suggestions?) we would have more symapthy for the innocent involved (on all sides). Calling it a 'war' is an artificial simplification and causes hatred.
We went in to destroy Saddam, not Iraq.
I'm not asking if you think Gen Petraeus is right, but I am using this report to illustrate the meaning behind my question.... No victory in Iraq, says Petraeus
The outgoing commander of US troops in Iraq, Gen David Petraeus, has said that he will never declare victory there.
He said he did not know that he would ever use the word "victory": "This is not the sort of struggle where you take a hill, plant the flag and go home to a victory parade... it's not war with a simple slogan." BBC NEWS | Middle East | No victory in Iraq, says Petraeus
Why did it ever get labelled as a war? Anyone know? Is there an international code or grade for military situations?
Cynics like me would say it was the magic word we needed to hear, in order to support it.
I don't think you have to be a cynic to say that. I'm a Republican, but I think the word "war" as it relates to Iraq is basically the administration's way of justifying doing exactly what Russia did to Georgia and Iraq did to Kuwait.
I'd call it an occupation. Iraq never really declared war on us, we just took it upon ourselves to invade the country in search of WMD, and while we're at it, overthrow their government as an act of kindness so they also know the taste of democracy and freedom ala USA.
Honestly I don't know what it is but right now I don't think it is either.
I don't think you can call it a war. According to our Constitution only Congress can declare war and giving the President a resolution does not meet that standard in my view. Even if you dismiss this, we are also not treating it like a war. There is no call for shared sacrifice, there is no clear definition of victory, there is no entity that can surrender to us, etc.
I also don’t think at this point it is an occupation. It will become an occupation if/when the Iraqi people/government want us to leave and we refuse to do so.
I don't know what the heck it is.
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