The ISIS says they are marching on Baghdad next. Should we go back to Iraq?

2014-06-13T00:24:19-04:00

If the ISI takes Baghdad, does it make the entire war in vain?
http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/andrea-mitchell-iraq-asks-us-help-quell-militant-uprising-n129086

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2014 12:37 AM

2014-06-13T00:37:40-04:00

We shouldn't go until the Iraqi Government signs a proper Status of Forces Agreement - just like any other country we deploy to / have agreements to support or defend. The Iraqi's got what they wanted - the U.S. military out of their country - maybe it's time for them to see the error of their ways for a while.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Jun 13 at 2014 12:56 AM

2014-06-13T00:56:57-04:00

http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/andrea-mitchell-iraq-asks-us-help-quell-militant-uprising-n129086

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Jun 13 at 2014 1:01 AM

2014-06-13T01:01:56-04:00

I don't know if we should, but I definitely want to go fight back.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2014 1:27 AM

2014-06-13T01:27:53-04:00

When the ISI take Baghdad, which they will, it won't mean that the war was in vain. It will mean that the government of Iraq wasn't able to stand on its own two feet, but their failure and ours are not tied together as closely as some may think. Even if I were to concede to you that the falling of Baghdad meant that we failed, would it mean that we should return to Iraq? What would the desired end state be? That is the question we need to answer first.

Just because we were in Iraq for so long doesn't mean that we can stroll back and resume operations. Nothing is in place to support this activity. Putting troops on the ground would be an expensive and lengthy process that we can't really afford right now.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Jun 13 at 2014 3:53 AM

2014-06-13T03:53:30-04:00

We did what we said we would do. We ousted Saddam Hussein, helped to initiate free elections, and laid the groundwork for Iraq to become self sufficient. In my opinion we should stay out of this and let the people of Iraq deal with their own internal problems. We are NOT the worlds keepers. If we are so popular why then are their people who want to see us fall flat on our collective asses without offering any assistance? So much for my .02.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2014 4:59 AM

2014-06-13T04:59:32-04:00

We accomplished our original objective. This is sovereign nation that is having internal problems. If they request the support of international forces (UN Peacekeepers or NATO) then we should return in that capacity. The US should not unilaterally return "just because". Having said that, if we can assist the Iraqi military with some type of support, I'm all for it. But even air strikes will require some ground coordination to prevent civilian casualties and I personally don't' have faith in the Iraqi military to provide us the proper information. We would have to send in some troops. It's a tough choice to make, but one that we shouldn't even entertain making until we have some type of SOFA with Iraq.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2014 5:59 AM

2014-06-13T05:59:26-04:00

We have done enough. The Iraq army is not willing to stand their ground and fight, why should we lose any more lives or waste any more money on this. So far I see no threat to the American people outside the hurt pride and egos of the the politicians who kept us there "securing the region". We can't keep leading the way every time something is not going write in another country. Its a noble gesture to protect people from the bully but we are over engaged as it is and need to invest in our own country for a while.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Jun 13 at 2014 7:44 AM

2014-06-13T07:44:24-04:00

Unable to fully express my feelings on this, as to some degree, our outspoken opinions must remain in the realm of PC. I will leave an ambiguous response of if we go back in, it should be the last time that help is needed.

Response by MSG(P) Michael Warrick made Jun 13 at 2014 7:52 AM

2014-06-13T07:52:22-04:00

I believe we need to take a tactical pause and see what is truly happening prior to make any commitments

Response by Cpl Robert Clark made Jun 13 at 2014 8:06 AM

2014-06-13T08:06:37-04:00

I said it in 1990 and I'll say it now... Fuq Iraq.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2014 9:32 AM

2014-06-13T09:32:51-04:00

Those countries have been fighting for thousands of years. IMHO nothing we do as a military force will make permanent changes. The parties involved are the ones who need to change and stop the fighting. Until that happens, they will always be in conflict. I think we need to stop policing the world and focus on conflicts that pose a direct threat to our national security and safety.

Response by SFC Joseph Sutherland made Jun 13 at 2014 9:54 AM

2014-06-13T09:54:32-04:00

I feel that all my friends that I lost over there died for nothing. I never agreed with the decision to pull out of Iraq. But I dont make those choices and we as Soldiers dont have to luxury to pick and choices which orders we follow. We follow all rules, regulations, and orders given to us from the people appointed above us.

Response by Maj Ahron Oddman made Jun 13 at 2014 9:55 AM

2014-06-13T09:55:06-04:00

We should not go back to Iraq in the traditional sense: boots on ground. I'm not sure how to assess ISIS. Are they better than Bashar Al Asad and/or Al Maliki? Do we want a non-Iran (Shiite) ally (ISIS is a Sunni Regime) on Iran's West Boarder? Some would argue we do.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2014 10:04 AM

2014-06-13T10:04:25-04:00

I voted that we should go back to Iraq, but that comes with a bit of a caveat to it.

I think that if the country completely destabilizes and we find that ISIL and other groups can establish their own pseudo nation state in Iraq, then we will have a tremendous threat to our own security and the security of our allies. They are capturing the equipment and weapons that we left to the Iraqis which can help push them into a more well armed militant group. Basically, they are going to gain so much, that they will actually become something much larger and more dangerous than before.

If they stay within the borders of Iraq, then I frankly am on the fence about how we should handle the situation. If they start pushing into operations elsewhere, such as Kuwait, Jordan, etc....then we really have a problem that will need to be addressed. Due to the likelihood of expanded operations, I frankly see this as one of the times where agressive, preemptive behavior may be warranted. The threat is growing and the stakes are higher than before.

Also, Iraq is an ally. We helped establish the nation that exists today through our own actions and those of the coalition. How would react if this were another ally? We can not sit back and pretend that one ally is more valuable than another when it comes to something so serious. Can we write off Iraq by not supporting them? What would the fallout be for such action? Politically, would our other allies question our loyalty.

This is a tricky, and challenging situation. Finess must be used, but we can ill afford to sit back too long if the writing on the wall becomes clear. I am afraid that inaction will lead to a larger threat that will become much more impossible to stave off. There is obviously next to no political solution to the situation. I think the question becomes what do we do to protect our interestes at home and abroad without creating further issues and problems. Is there a point that the correct, morally-sound stance is the one that is unpopular?

There will be a lot of questions to answer as this develops and a lot of decisions to defend.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Jun 13 at 2014 10:17 AM

2014-06-13T10:17:52-04:00

Our political leaders, whom we work for, decided that the war was over and redeployed us.

We did our duty. I don't wish to spoil a Friday that already has a 6 hour meeting with my thoughts on what our current or former political leaders did or failed to do. WE did our duty.

War's over.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 13 at 2014 10:25 AM

2014-06-13T10:25:26-04:00

Unfortunately, US government policy caused some of what is happening and 4477 souls (that I hope are haunting the Lincoln bedroom) are crying out for justice, but, as in the first place, WHY would be going back in? To save political face, to bring about democracy - which we damn well see has failed? What war is there for us to "win"? There is no yearning for democracy in this type of government. Very, very sad, but what US interests, other than maintaining FOB Crush-Iran would we be protecting??

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2014 10:30 AM

2014-06-13T10:30:13-04:00

If we do go back we need to keep the White House and every other outlet out. This way we can do our jobs the way it is meant to be done. Wars are not fought to win hearts and minds; they are fought to eliminate a threat.

Response by 1SG James Wise made Jun 13 at 2014 10:38 AM

2014-06-13T10:38:58-04:00

I saw this on FaceBook...

ISIS is in Iraq??? Sorry, found it hilarious!!!

Go back to Iraq, like others have said, proper SOFA and this time fight a declared war or at least fight like we did in WW2 - we smash things till the bad guys realize the option is total surrender or annihilation.

Response by LCpl Steve Wininger made Jun 13 at 2014 11:24 AM

2014-06-13T11:24:19-04:00

In order to keep Al-Qaeda from obtaining another country for a base of operations, I believe we have a vested interest in helping Iraq. Honestly, we pulled out too soon.

Response by SSG William Patton made Jun 13 at 2014 11:35 AM

2014-06-13T11:35:09-04:00

Going in the first time was controversial and later proved the reasons for going, WMDs, were not located, if they even existed. Our military pushed the radicals down in their holes, but did not defang them and now they are back, no surprise. Everywhere you look in the middle east the radicals are taking control and before long they will all be philosophically aligned with Iran and become a threat to world peace. We will have to fight this war again, but I do not believe going back into Iraq will solve anything. Even if we kill thousands of insurgents, more will come and at the cost of American lives. It is just not worth it. Democracy will not work in a nation where tribal customs exist and refuse to die and where the electorate is basically illiterate. Let the chips fall where they will.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2014 1:02 PM

2014-06-13T13:02:48-04:00

I thinik the Iraqi's need to make up their mind. They wanted us out and look where it left them. We need to finish the job or stay out.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2014 2:56 PM

2014-06-13T14:56:43-04:00

In my opinion we should stay out of this and let the people of Iraq deal with their own internal problems. Time for them to move forward not backward.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2014 6:42 PM

2014-06-13T18:42:44-04:00

I understand the White House is considering the option of using Hash Tags against Iraqi Militants.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2014 9:39 PM

2014-06-13T21:39:17-04:00

I have my deployment bag sitting in my closet ready to go... even got 2 reflective belts in there.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Jun 13 at 2014 11:01 PM

2014-06-13T23:01:19-04:00

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jun/13/iraq-veterans-isis-crisis-baghdad

Iraq veterans: learn to stop worrying about Isis and love life at home already | Alex Horton

Alex Horton: We held up our end of the bargain. Maliki did not. The new crisis making its way to Baghdad shouldn't stop us from measuring sacrifice on our own terms

Response by SFC Matthew Parker made Jun 14 at 2014 1:13 AM

2014-06-14T01:13:08-04:00

All,
I read all the posts on this topic tonight and for the young soldier or NCO who has never deployed or seen combat who wants to go I would tell you to think again. I carried the caskets of friends onto the plane for their final flight out of theater and you don't forget the smell of jet fuel, the refrigerated truck with the bodies or the slow final salute. You don't have a combat patch or think you need to prove something, well you don't need the patch and you have nothing to prove. You joined in a time of war, your good in my book.

For those of you who never left the FOB or heard a shot fired in anger I respect your service but your not going back to chow halls and PX runs. This will mean house to house fighting against a determined enemy with nothing to lose. I kicked in doors, chased snipers and had my share of fire fights, this will be worse.

The Iraqi Prime Minister has brought this disaster on his country for not working with the other political parties. The Iraqi parliament said no to a SOFA agreement and told us to leave. And the Army we trained has long this dissolved into the force you see on CNN ditching their uniforms and running away. Our Iraq, the one we rebuilt and secured is gone, the FOBs were pillaged for anything that could be sold.

The President is correct, this is their problem, let them handle it. Iran sent 500 troops into Iraq against ISIS, The Kurds have retaken Kirkuk and I expect Mosul will see Peshmerga in force soon and the ISIS attacks on Shiite religious sites will get the Army and Shiite population into the fight.

I just hope the Iraqi government votes out the PM and the President appoints a PM who will unite and not divide the country.

We don't go back

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2014 7:45 AM

2014-06-14T07:45:12-04:00

Let them work it out.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2014 9:56 AM

2014-06-14T09:56:34-04:00

Ok, so I just read something on a few different sources, and I wanted to see how this may shape political opinion.

Iran is claiming that hey have no choice but to help Iraq reestablish security and to assist them in fighting ISIL. Historically speaking, Iran and Iraq get along worse than Texas and Oklahoma fans during football season. The Iraqi government is also heavily backed by the US, and the US and Iran have a very contentious relationship.

If Iran does help Iraq, how could this affect our relationship with Iraq? What impact may this have across our other Allies? Will they feel as though they may be more likely to get support from their mortal enemy prior to getting support from us?

If Iran and Iraq develop a working partnership which carries over after (if) ISIL is defeated, what impact may that have on the Middle East? After all, Iran is supported by Russia, as is Syria. This may work to stabilize a region of the Middle East, but would it lead to potential further issues? Could Russia exert further influence on the Middle East through a proxy relationship with Iraq? Could this affect the world energy market? Could we see other parts of the Middle East completely destabilize through such influence? Israel's national interests would definitely be impacted by Iran expanding it's influence.

Further, will we lose credibility? Israel would expect us to come to their aid if the PLO or another organization conducted a similar campaign. Given, they have a strong military, but if they were overwhelmed they would need our help. Will they believe that we are there to support them if we will not support another government that we established and "stabilized."

There are so many questions to ask here that carry way beyond the simple concept of the immediate impact of supporting Iraq through military effort. There are second and third order aspects here that can have a tremendous impact across our national interests, both abroad and domestically. To me, it seems as though many are being very short-sighted in addressing the total impact of the decisions being made right now. This includes many whom I have heard speak from our civilian government. I would like to hear them address many of these issues in support of the lobbying and decisions that they make in order to demonstrate that they have reviewed the full impact of their ideas and decisions just so maybe we can get an idea of their assessment.

Response by Maj Michael StClair made Jun 14 at 2014 11:56 AM

2014-06-14T11:56:17-04:00

While I sure as hell don't want to reengage in Iraq - that being said I am also of the mind set that we either fight them there, or wait for them to show up here. Some very poor political decisions (on both sides of the political fence) brought us to this point. My crystal ball says that Obama does nothing but make idle threats, and that Iraq becomes a rogue state (such as North Korea)driven by Islamic ideology/theology that insists that everyone in the world bend knee to Mecca - and that it wont stop with just Iraq.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2014 2:44 PM

2014-06-14T14:44:49-04:00

NATO needs to form coalition and keep pressure on them. America needs to stay out of this except special forces who almost never make it on the news

Response by CPT John Lynch made Jun 14 at 2014 3:13 PM

2014-06-14T15:13:42-04:00

If we had leadership that formulated and communicated an appropriate mission in the interests of the United State, we should definitely go back and accomplish the mission as its success is, indeed, critical to the future security of our Nation.

Given our current leadership, any return would be a waste of blood and treasure and would only succeed in further emboldening our enemies.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Jun 14 at 2014 3:32 PM

2014-06-14T15:32:01-04:00

Self determination. We installed a failed government, let them sort themselves out.

Response by SFC Omar Rivera made Jun 14 at 2014 4:27 PM

2014-06-14T16:27:45-04:00

What a lost. A country that cannot defend itself will fall. Get every American out now.

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made Jun 14 at 2014 5:35 PM

2014-06-14T17:35:27-04:00

Under the current circumstances we will not go back. It would look way too bad for the folks who made the call. I find myself torn on this one personally. I don't think "we" can fix the situation in Iraq. However, I am also aware that none can afford the realities of a terrorist run Iraq. The thought of a new and very powerful terrorist state is in itself a scary thought of unimaginable proportions. The potential spillover is something the region and the world cannot afford to ignore.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2014 10:16 PM

2014-06-14T22:16:18-04:00

SSG, the president specifically said during Friday conference that we're NOT going back. If he's the man of his word, he'll stand by it whether Iraq asks for help or not. If he goes back to his old flip-flopping self, then stand by.

What he should've said was that no troops are going back AT THIS TIME. Then he'd be justified in calling us back. Obummer

Response by Maj Walter Kilar made Jun 15 at 2014 5:14 PM

2014-06-15T17:14:13-04:00

Short answer(s): Yes, if we have learned our lesson. No, if we are just going to do more of the same.

Long answer: The situation has changed. When we went into Iraq last time, we did it under conditions x, y, and z (insert your favorite political or military reasons here). Now, we have conditions a, b, and c (insert your interpretation of the conditions here) and the United States should evaluate its options under these new conditions irrespective of the previous conditions.

That being said, I believe that America is now at a new crossroads, a new opportunity to shape its future. Does it want to continue doing more of the same stabilizing action, or does it want to take our country in a new direction--whatever that may be? Personally, I do not want to expend any more American blood or national treasure to move piles of rocks around. Since ISIS is organizing itself more like a nation and less like a loose terrorist organization, it is possible to defeat ISIS as if it were a nation-state. Do I believe we would be stabilizing the region in doing so? Not really. After a decade-plus of war, we have chased away our best warrior leaders. I do *not* believe we can win any wars with the beleaguered, financially strapped, manpower-depleted shell of a force we have today. We can certainly win lots of battles, but we are incapable of winning wars unless we look back at the past decade-plus and gleam some lessons out of the OEF and OIF.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2014 12:04 AM

2014-06-22T00:04:00-04:00

Secure our national interests and let them [Iraqis] sort out their civil war. Its time for Iraqis to stand up for their own security.

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Jun 22 at 2014 4:02 AM

2014-06-22T04:02:55-04:00

We should have never left and we should have never let the UN get involved in the rebuilding.

Response by SGT Mark Sullivan made Sep 25 at 2014 8:53 AM

2014-09-25T08:53:47-04:00

Hmmmmm, this is such a double edged sword. I feel our pulling out, opened the door to these bums. In short, we pulled out too early. I do feel, eventually we will deal with this bunch of fucktards, whether it be in the middle east or on our own ground. I agree we are not the worlds Police Force, but, what's the best way to handle a Bully? Beat the crap out of a Bully once, humiliate them, and they will leave you alone. If and when we do deal with this bunch, the gloves need to come off, no more niceness, no more respect, we need clear objectives, the politicians stay out of all of it, as does the media. Mainstream media couldn't make an accurate reporting of someone wiping their ass, much less a battle in a far off land. The mission definition is to annihilate ISIS, make them lose all taste for battle. The U.N. needs to stay out of making any definition of what we do, we swore to defend the interests of the United States, and the Constitution, nothing in my oath said anything about the Defending or taking orders from the United Nations. The UN is ineffective, and has been for a long time. The people of the world don't like how we handle things because we are brutal, but yet, we're the first ones the world looks to when it comes to defending them. An example of this was Bosnia. The European Union, was supposed to handle that issue, after 4 years of discussions, four countries sent in soldiers. The soldiers did nothing, in fact the Danish military had surrendered to the enemy at one refugee camp, and allowed the slaughter of many civilians who came to them for refuge, Srebrenica massacre. We eventually got involved. And the same will happen again, unless we clearly define, to the world, what out intent is, and what we will do, then stay the course. Handle this fighting in the same spirit as we did in WW2, grab them by the nose, and kick them in the ass. If they cross a border into another country, we give chase, do not let them hide the way the NVA used Cambodia and Laos.

Response by SSG William Patton made Sep 25 at 2014 11:41 AM

2014-09-25T11:41:06-04:00

We should have never deposed Saddam Hussein the first time. Doing so created a power vaccum in the region that opened the door for these nut cases. Having deposed him, we should have kept a sizable force there to prevent the rise of these militant inslamic terrorists. Pulling out and expecting the Iraqis to fight is like waiting up to see Santa Claus. Now we may have no choice but to put boots on the ground, but like previously, we need to wage total war, not rules of engagement, and wipe these bastards off the face of the earth for good.

Response by SSgt Thomas A Tullis Jr made Sep 25 at 2014 2:14 PM

2014-09-25T14:14:37-04:00

We should return IF the Iraqi government asks for assistance. Should the US return then the kid gloves should be removed and the Iraqi government WILL provide the compensation for our services!

Response by SPC David S. made Sep 26 at 2014 8:05 PM

2014-09-26T20:05:14-04:00

What do you mean as we are already going back?

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/sep/25/armys-big-red-one-hq-going-to-iraq-1st-infantry-di/

Army’s ‘Big Red One’ HQ going to Iraq: 1st Infantry Division soldiers deploy in October

Roughly 500 soldiers from the U.S. Army’s 1st Infantry Division headquarters are headed to the Middle East, with 200 of them to end up in Iraq.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2014 10:10 PM

2014-09-26T22:10:59-04:00

Iraq is like a skanky crack whore we got pregnant and now we have no choice but to take care of the ugly baby left behind.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Sep 28 at 2014 9:49 AM

2014-09-28T09:49:14-04:00

ISIS putting out Self Aggrandizing Propaganda. Considering Iran's interest Religious/Political if they push their luck too much and Iran decides to go full in on the side of the Government of Iraq, ISIS is toast. Just Recruiting Propaganda for Muslims in the West to join them.

Response by MAJ Henry Bryant made Nov 6 at 2014 3:13 AM

2014-11-06T03:13:50-05:00

No we should not.

Response by SSG Jon Turner made Nov 9 at 2014 10:48 AM

2014-11-09T10:48:51-05:00

Looks like we are.

Response by LTC John Wilson made Mar 27 at 2015 10:30 AM

2015-03-27T10:30:15-04:00

I have a bad taste in my mouth from our last two interventions in Iraqi history and think that we haven't learned a thing about Islam and its tenets that keep these two major factions fighting among themselves.

We should not be in the business of Nation building and we should stick to the mission plan and then get out and let the Iraqi sort our their problems.

Yet, I cannot see letting ISIS or ISIL keeping the territory it has obtained and declaring a Caliphate so they can muster more followers to disrupt the middle east. Without a Caliphate the Islamic State is without Authority. So, the territory lost has to be recaptures by stable governments in Syria and Iraq. This at present is a lost cause. If we do commit we need to win it with ground troops once again and definitely know that air power alone will not win the war in Iraq or Syria.

Response by PO1 Glenn Boucher made Mar 27 at 2015 12:55 PM

2015-03-27T12:55:37-04:00

Damned if we do and damned if we don't. There is no right answer here because if we return we are putting more lives at risk for direct action combat. If we don't return we are running the risk of ISIS spreading even further. We already know that the Iraqi Armed forces we tried to train, for the most part, are not serious about engaging the enemy. Yes there are some in their Armed forces who want to fight the enemy but overall they don't have a desire to defend their own country, or so it seems, I could be wrong. I think overall we are screwed for the long run and no matter what promises are made about pulling out or reducing forces we will have to maintain a military presence for many years to come.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Mar 27 at 2015 1:00 PM

2015-03-27T13:00:32-04:00

NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT!! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2015 1:03 PM

2015-03-27T13:03:47-04:00

So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Mar 27 at 2015 1:19 PM

2015-03-27T13:19:30-04:00

I think it is really time the gloves come off. We have B-52 and B-1 Bombers that can be used to drop dumb bombs on Isis. If they want a war, give them one. End it as it starts. Bomb every city, territory, and province they control until nothing remains. I do not think that the United States should enter into an extended ground war with Isis. The United States would be hindered by things such as Geneva Convention that Isis would not be hindered by. You cannot engage an enemy in their territory with two sets of rules both of which benefit that enemy. If you are going to engage, at least play by the same rules.

They have shown that they have no regard for human life. You cannot combat this with being touchy feely with the rules of engagement. It needs to be broken down into simple terms.
1) Isis does not care whether they kill civilians
2) Isis has shown that they do not care about human life
3) Isis is not a recognized national government
4) Isis is becoming more and more brazen as time passes
5) People in the areas they control are not trying to escape from Isis

When it comes to this group, I do not care about the sanctity of life. They are a tumor to be removed by any means available. If that makes me an asshole, it is not the first time I have been the asshole.

Response by SGT Tyler G. made Mar 27 at 2015 1:35 PM

2015-03-27T13:35:01-04:00

We can't keep invading sovereign nations due to some ill-founded belief that we are the world's police. This is an internal issue for Iraq to deal with. If we can't let them handle this, what makes anyone think they'll be capable of standing on their own afterwards. They have to learn to take care of themselves, and this is the moment for that to happen. They've even said that they don't need or want American forces (at least one general did, the one responsible for the relatively recent pushbacks). If they request international assistance, then we, as a part of NATO, or the UN, should do our "small" part in assisting within that limited capacity.

We always talk about how much of a deficit are nation has. Well, trying to police the world sure as hell isn't helping with that, and is likely one of the biggest causes/contributors.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2015 3:25 PM

2015-03-27T15:25:25-04:00

Let the people of iraq deal with it. We can help the iraqi military in some of or another but no ground troops.

Response by PO2 Edward Shelton made Mar 28 at 2015 10:37 PM

2015-03-28T22:37:17-04:00

We completed our mission there already, let that country and all of the other countries in that area deal with their own problems.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Mar 28 at 2015 11:29 PM

2015-03-28T23:29:02-04:00

Where we failed is by not instilling the importance of the PT belt in the Iraqi Army.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2015 11:55 PM

2015-03-28T23:55:37-04:00

I voted no, because I think that you can only back a country up so much before they have to take care of themselves. Their government wanted us out of there country so let them handle their own problems, because we are not the worlds police.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Mar 31 at 2015 11:46 PM

2015-03-31T23:46:56-04:00

I sort of feel like LBJ did about Vietnam or at least what you said about American boys fighting a war that Asian boys should be fighting. I am all for supporting a free Iraq however, sending several thousand American men and women over there to do what should have been done right would holding them responsible so to speak, us, and the American people for a decision to pull out troops which was more based on a political agenda, not a strategic one which is disappointing to say the least.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Apr 1 at 2015 12:21 AM

2015-04-01T00:21:21-04:00

I sure wish we can help the Ukrainians a bit more.

Response by SPC Ei McS made May 19 at 2015 2:30 PM

2015-05-19T14:30:50-04:00

We for sure should stay out of this! For sure at least now! Enough is enough! I say for now, because I, as everyone else here, can't see into the future. I do not know how history will unfold later down the road! I can't know what will happen in the future! What we are doing (air strikes, etc) now is enough! In addition, I think that more middle eastern countries have to deal with the problem of ISIS/ISIL more intensely. This, not only because of where ISIS is mostly located, but also because this terrorist group so very much claims to be Muslim. I haven't done the research to know factual numbers, but I am convinced that most Muslims are against ISIS. We can't run to every place where there is a problem all the time and we shouldn't! What we have to do is to be aware of and pay attention to what is going on here at home. There will be idiots who will attempt to attack home from the inside again!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 2:39 PM

2015-05-19T14:39:40-04:00

We (the United States) are not the world's police force - we need to help our own people. We have enough issues here to deal with - we don't need to take on everyone else's problems.