Hello SteveMetz,
Perhaps Mr. Peters just ran out of space. I didn't count the words is his essay, but I'm guessing they give him a word limit. There are only so many wars you can deal with in a short essay! It is not his responsiblity to devise and implement a policy for Iraq, anyway.
But it IS the responsibility of the President, Congress, and the military. Being conflicted on the conflict seems to have resulted in a policy of just fighting to stave off a potential disaster, because we don't know what else to do. If the intensity of the insurgency can be reduced a little, then some sort of political reconciliation in Iraq will just happen. Somehow.
Although completely different in character, this Iraq war feels a little like trench warfare in WWI. Sporadic, inconclusive combat, with no significant territorial gains. Each side in a battle of attrition, just trying to wear down the opposing side. After being declared the victor in WWI, it sure didn't feel like much of a victory to the Allies; certainly the postwar situation didn't seem to be worth the price paid. With all the talk about previous counterinsurgencies, I don't know why WWI seems to creep into my thoughts. Maybe just anxieties that there could be some larger, more deadly conflict bookended behind this war?
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