Troops making Iraq worse

[HAL 9000]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6046332.stm

The head of the British Army has said the presence of UK armed forces in Iraq "exacerbates the security problems".
In an interview in the Daily Mail, Sir Richard Dannatt, Chief of the General Staff, is quoted as saying the British should "get out some time soon".

He also said: "Let's face it, the military campaign we fought in 2003, effectively kicked the door in."



I think everyone has pretty muich known this for years but it is refreshing to hear it coming from this source. Its quite brave too, I can't imagine this is good for his career.

I dont really have anything to add but its an interesting read.

[yeahwho]

It is refreshing to hear this news coming from someone who obviously has the ultimate grasp of the Iraq war. The last statements made in the article are sound and clear,

"We are in a Muslim country and Muslims' views of foreigners in their country are quite clear

"As a foreigner, you can be welcomed by being invited in a country, but we weren't invited certainly by those in Iraq at the time."

"Whatever consent we may have had in the first place, may have turned to tolerance and has largely turned to intolerance."

Sir Richard Dannatt, Chief of the General Staff
The head of the British Army

[Echewta]

From what I've been reading for the last couple of years, British commanders seem to have a better grasp about whats going on then the American ones. The British military has more nation building experience I believe.

[Ali]

What are the odds against the White House accepting the recommendation to involve Iran and Syria in Peace-Keeping in Iraq?

Iran is a Shia govt and Syria are Sunni (haven't checked that, so might be wrong).

It might help solve the ethnic violence in Iraq... although it'll mean that a US or UK presence is no longer required in Iraq and all that oil'll go back to its rightful owners, so, no.

This is the acid test. If the White House refuses to allow Iran and Syria to help in Iraq (after the idea being loudly hailed as the "end of terrorism" by the democratically-elected president of Iraq) then we'll have the indisputable proof that the "War on Terror" is nothing but a distraction to the Real Mission - securing the worlds oil reserves for American use.

[chrisd]

leftists throwin a pity party

[HAL 9000]

leftists throwin a pity party

Good point - military generals are notoriously left wing.