re: This administration handed over Iraq to extremists.

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A weak American President makes the entire world more unstable.

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Amen brother, and that goes for a weak economic president or a weak national defense president. Sometimes you get both.

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Should have just blown shite up in Afghanistan and kicked out the Taliban. Frankly, as far as our interests are concerned, a long term presence in Afghanistan makes more sense that Iraq.

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True , but the War in Iraq has made long term prescence in Afghanistan nearly untenable. No war in Iraq & maybe it would be easier to sell a longer prescence in Afghanistan.

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True , but the War in Iraq has made long term prescence in Afghanistan nearly untenable. No war in Iraq & maybe it would be easier to sell a longer prescence in Afghanistan.

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Absolutely agree. Too bad, really.

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I served, 30 months over two tours in combat arms; both in Iraq. I would like to say that one thing was very, very clear during that time. While we may not have been fighting the good fight for those ten years trying to win hearts and minds of the Iraqis and Afgani's WE WERE PROVIDING A CONVENIENT TARGET for these crazy extremists. We were an armed speed bump, an armed first line of defense. Not any more people, not anymore. They want to kill Americans. Thats the blunt truth, none of our reasoning here means anything to them. By removing that target, you are basically telling them to come after more. It makes me so very sad that things have come to this.


Damn Kilo... . It had to hurt. But I hope you take pride in being part of one of the most noble attempts at warfare in human history. Never before, and likely never again...will an army try to go door to door after a ruthless enemy who hides amongst their own loved ones, and try to sort it out. So many of our best citizens were killed and maimed for life, both psychologically and physically...it makes me sick to even think about it. And that is why we are so scared of even coming close to going back in.

That said, Islamist are on the move as never before; even pre-9-11. If we do no engage them offensively and all in...they will roll through the ME on the ground, and as soon as Iran procures their nuke...God only knows what will happen.

There are only two options in this scenario...kill the Islamists...or tolerate their hegemony as though they are our equals, and morally justified in ruling their own lands, according to their own Spiritual dictates.

My suspicion...it will be Israel that fulfills the Biblical prophecy of "blood up to the bridle of a horse" in that Land...in that 'Day'.

I really hope you understand the unique nobility of your particular service, buddy...even if George Bush don't. A beautiful effort really. Even if the Iraqis couldn't handle their freedom. Hell...ours may not last.

It's always darkest right before the dawn.

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Okay because people can't seem to grasp this basic fact I'll say it again, really slowly-- ISIL and Iran are enemies, Al Qaeda and Iran are enemies- both AQ and ISIL view Iran (and all Shiites) as heretics and would love to kill them- Iran is actually an ally right now in the fight against ISIL, I know its easier to think that all Muslms are alike but that's like going to Northern Ireland and assuming "eh...Protestant, Catholic they're both Christian, they probably all get along just fine."