The Iraq Study Group have just published a major report into the situation in Iraq.
\nSome small gems from the publication:<\/p>\n
"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"<\/p>\n
"Despite a massive effort, stability in Iraq remains elusive and the situation is deteriorating"<\/p>\n
"Current U.S. policy is not working"<\/p>\n
"The ability of the United States to shape outcomes is diminishing.Time is running out."<\/p>\n
"If the situation in Iraq continues to deteriorate, the consequences could be severe for Iraq, the United States, the region, and the world."<\/p>\n
"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."<\/p>\n
"Iran could send in troops to restore stability in souther Iraq and perhaps gain control of oil fields"<\/p>\n
"a Pandora\u2019s box of problems – including the radicalization of populations, mass movements of populations, and regime changes – that might take decades to play out."<\/p>\n
"Terrorism could grow. As one Iraqi official told us, Al Qaeda is now a franchise in Iraq, like McDonald\u2019s.<\/em>"<\/p>\n "Continued problems in Iraq could lead to greater polarization within the United States."<\/p>\n ah, but…<\/p>\n "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…"<\/p>\n oh,<\/p>\n "…But at the moment, such a scenario seems implausible"<\/p>\n Holly shit.<\/p>\n Congratulations to the Iraq Study Group for finally realising what everyone else has known for ages.<\/p>\n