Should we go back to the middle east?

2015-05-17T23:50:18-04:00

I was at my guard station for my drill weekend, and a seasoned Sergeant First Class told myself and the other Privates that the middle east is a "crap" hole because of the U.S.
He said look at Second World War, in Japan and Germany the U.S. obliterated the entire country. We destroyed all industry and economics in the regions, but built it back up. Now they (Germany and Japan) are some of our most important allies from an economic and military stand point.
In Iraq and Afghanistan we tried to be surgical and careful. And never built the country back up when we destroyed, now ISIS and other terrorists are trying to take over.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 1:24 AM

2015-05-18T01:24:23-04:00

Germany and Japan are totally different cultures with a much different ideology.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 2:18 AM

2015-05-18T02:18:01-04:00

There are other options, although there seem to be enough accumulated targets there to keep us gainfully employed.

If you want my opinion, economic warfare is the way to go if we want to bring about change in the area. The nations of the area are as addicted to oil revenue as we are to their product. This vulnerability is a powerful influencer, should we choose to use it.

Oh, and advise your SFC that I said that the Middle East was a crap hole long before the US went there. The last time the Mideast was a place worth fighting over predates the Crusades.

Response by Lt Col Timothy Parker, DBA made May 18 at 2015 7:22 AM

2015-05-18T07:22:43-04:00

I think we re-build and use our economic power to bring them into the modern economy. The Marshall Plan worked in Europe so why not here?

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 9:39 AM

2015-05-18T09:39:59-04:00

Germany and Japan were modernized in industry and mentality, and committed against us in openly declared war. You can't conduct a war against Afghanistan - who's going to sign the surrender? How would that person enforce it? Germany and Japan were intensely nationalist, whereas the Middle East is mostly a tribal mentality. It just wouldn't work.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 18 at 2015 9:36 PM

2015-05-18T21:36:36-04:00

I think Total War is the solution but that wont happen. We gave democracy to Muslim groups that hate each other. We need to deny them the ability or desire to fight.

Response by PO2 Johnathan Kerns made May 18 at 2015 11:58 PM

2015-05-18T23:58:11-04:00

They have been at war since Isaac and Ishmael. In my opinion, there is nothing that we can do that would bring about peace in this region, short of complete extermination of all inhabitants (which I oppose). Let them duke it the fuck out.

Response by SFC Stephen Carden made May 19 at 2015 1:15 AM

2015-05-19T01:15:44-04:00

What do you mean "go back"? I'm still here!

Response by Cpl Tou Lee Yang made May 19 at 2015 2:11 AM

2015-05-19T02:11:04-04:00

War cost lives and make the rich, richer.