Critical Mess
The Iraq Study Group have just published a major report into the situation in Iraq.
Some small gems from the publication:
"To date, the United States has spent roughly $400 billion on the Iraq War, and costs are running about $8 billion per month…Estimates run as high as $2 trillion for the final cost of the U.S. involvement"
"Despite a massive effort, stability in Iraq remains elusive and the situation is deteriorating"
"Current U.S. policy is not working"
"The ability of the United States to shape outcomes is diminishing.Time is running out."
"If the situation in Iraq continues to deteriorate, the consequences could be severe for Iraq, the United States, the region, and the world."
"The Iraqi people could be subjected to another strongman who flexes the political and military muscle required to impose order amid anarchy. Freedoms could be lost."
"Iran could send in troops to restore stability in souther Iraq and perhaps gain control of oil fields"
"a Pandora’s box of problems – including the radicalization of populations, mass movements of populations, and regime changes – that might take decades to play out."
"Terrorism could grow. As one Iraqi official told us, Al Qaeda is now a franchise in Iraq, like McDonald’s."
"Continued problems in Iraq could lead to greater polarization within the United States."
ah, but…
"These and other predictions of dire consequences in Iraq and the region are by no means a certainty….Iraqis may become so sobered by the prospect of an unfolding civil war and intervention by their regional neighbors that they take the steps necessary to avert catastrophe…"
oh,
"…But at the moment, such a scenario seems implausible"
Holly shit.
Congratulations to the Iraq Study Group for finally realising what everyone else has known for ages.
It seems that there are two people left who refuse to see the bloody writing on the wall. Unfortunately, they're the two that started the whole mess. Another one to fess up is General Sir Mike Jackson.
100 more US deaths until we reach the grand total of 3000.
I reckon that will be the final turning point.