This is Floyd Wynne with THE VIEW FROM HERE.

What do you think President Bush should do in Iraq?

             He is expected shortly to outline to America what his future plans are for the war in Iraq.

             Let’s take a look at his options.

             First….he could continue the present course with the hope that the Iraqi forces will take over control of their own country.   This might take another year or more.

             Second—-since most of the devastation appears to be taking place in Baghdad….he could send additional forces to Baghdad in an effort to make it a safe and secure place.

Third…..he could pull American forces back from the front lines and add observers and trainers to the current Iraqi Army forces.

Fourth…..he could deploy more of our forces along both the Iranian and the Syrian borders, hoping to cut off reinforcements and supplies being fed into Iraq from those two sources.

Fifth…..he could inform Prime Minister Maliki and the Iranian government forces that within 30 or 60 days American forces are going to be withdrawn either into a protected enclave...or even perhaps into Kuwait...there to stand by to assist the government but putting the burden on the Iranians to fight their own battle.

Sixth…..he could withdraw our forces over a short period of time, leaving the Iranian government and its military forces to face the terrorists themselves.

Now…..there doesn’t seem to be any other alternatives.  His policy in the past has been that our goal is to train the Iraqi forces so they can take over the fighting and we can go home.  Admittedly he agrees that course could well be a long and costly one.

What will he do?

I would speculate that he will recommend several of the options.  I think he will call for the Iraqi forces to take over more of the fighting, that a large share of our fighting force will pull back into a protected enclave.  The military advisors to the Iraqi army forces will be increased, but they will now be in the front of the action.   He may also recommend some of these forces be used to patrol the Iran and Syrian borders.

             Undoubtedly he will also demand that the Iraqi government make peace with the Sunni forces, offering them a share of the oil wealth and the opportunity to participate in the actual government.  Death squads like those of Mustapha El Sadr must be disbanded.

If that is the course that he recommends….I think it will find a great deal of support on both sides of the political aisle.

Hopefully this is the course he takes.

This is Floyd Wynne and that’s THE VIEW FROM HERE.

 

 

Text Box:   This is Floyd Wynne with THE VIEW FROM HERE. What do you think President Bush should do in Iraq?              He is expected shortly to outline to America what his future plans are for the war in Iraq.              Let’s take a look at his options.              First….he could continue the present course with the hope that the Iraqi forces will take over control of their own country.   This might take another year or more.              Second—-since most of the devastation appears to be taking place in Baghdad….he could send additional forces to Baghdad in an effort to make it a safe and secure place. Third…..he could pull American forces back from the front lines and add observers and trainers to the current Iraqi Army forces. Fourth…..he could deploy more of our forces along both the Iranian and the Syrian borders, hoping to cut off reinforcements and supplies being fed into Iraq from those two sources. Fifth…..he could inform Prime Minister Maliki and the Iranian government forces that within 30 or 60 days American forces are going to be withdrawn either into a protected enclave...or even perhaps into Kuwait...there to stand by to assist the government but putting the burden on the Iranians to fight their own battle. Sixth…..he could withdraw our forces over a short period of time, leaving the Iranian government and its military forces to face the terrorists themselves. Now…..there doesn’t seem to be any other alternatives.  His policy in the past has been that our goal is to train the Iraqi forces so they can take over the fighting and we can go home.  Admittedly he agrees that course could well be a long and costly one. What will he do? I would speculate that he will recommend several of the options.  I think he will call for the Iraqi forces to take over more of the fighting, that a large share of our fighting force will pull back into a protected enclave.  The military advisors to the Iraqi army forces will be increased, but they will now be in the front of the action.   He may also recommend some of these forces be used to patrol the Iran and Syrian borders.              Undoubtedly he will also demand that the Iraqi government make peace with the Sunni forces, offering them a share of the oil wealth and the opportunity to participate in the actual government.  Death squads like those of Mustapha El Sadr must be disbanded. If that is the course that he recommends….I think it will find a great deal of support on both sides of the political aisle. Hopefully this is the course he takes. This is Floyd Wynne and that’s THE VIEW FROM HERE.    

Text Box: 1/04/07