Commission Report Reflects on Iraq Policy

Interesting news out of Israel yesterday:  the government-appointed Winograd Commission released a preliminary report criticizing Prime Minister Olmert’s decision to enter into a full-blown war against Hezbollah following a Hezbollah raid last July (see NPR article).
Among the commission’s criticisms:

• failed to adequately assess the Israel Defense Forces' war-readiness


• did not have a clear exit strategy;


• did not consider alternatives to a full-scale conflict; and


• outlined unattainable goals;


• all of which "add up to a serious failure in exercising judgment, responsibility and caution"

It seems to me a similar report could be issued regarding Pres. B*sh’s decision to invade Iraq.  All that would need to change are the proper nouns.

To whit:

• The Administration did not assess whether our military had sufficient forces to launch attacks on two fronts while maintaining a presence in Europe, South Korea, and elsewhere around the world. This failure of planning has lead to the need to divert the National Guard to a foreign conflict, and to institute stop-loss measures across all branches of the military.


• The lack of an exit strategy becomes clear as one examines the shifting reasons given for invasion. In other words, how can one exit when one has not clearly defined what constitutes the end goal?
      It seems to me that, if "Democracy" were the true goal, the Administration could have declared victory shortly after the first round of elections.
      We are now in the odd position of trying to support a predominantly Shiite government - hardly the electoral outcome we were banking on.


• The Administration chose to invade Iraq just as it seemed that the combination of diplomacy and the threat of invasion were working.


• Establishing Western-style Democracy in Iraq has long been the stated goal for invading Iraq (once it was clear there was no need for a "pre-emptive" strike). Anyone familiar with the history of the Mideast in general, and of Iraq specifically, would recognize this was (at least) an unrealistic goal. It's very likely unattainable as well.

As with the Omert's full-scale strike against Hezbollah, this policy reveals "a serious failure in exercising judgment, responsibility and caution."

As I have suggested before, this Administration has offered aid and comfort to the enemy. Weapons being used against our forces are from stockpiles we failed to guard following the invasion. The invasion and occupation of Iraq has proven to be an excellent recruiting tool for al Queda and similar radical movements.

Surely, providing aid and comfort to the enemy is an impeachable offense!