Knowing what you know now, would you have focused on Afghan. or invaded Iraq?

Question

I know that we removed a dictator. But there are a lot of dictators in the world, and we can't continue to be the worlds policeman. What do you say?

Answer 1

Neither.

I'd have focused on our own administration.

http://tinyurl.com/6xf5u6

Answer 2

If we knew then, what we new now. I would of focused on Afghanistan.    

Answer 3

Really hard to say.  Training for the forceful Islamic conquest of the west was centered in Afghanistan and was a huge threat.  The west was in a state of war with Iraq for 10 years with Sadam ignoring UN demands and violating the peace treaty after he lost the war.  US and British aircraft patrolling the UN no-fly zone were shot at daily.  Sadam's terrorist ties have been proven and the world thought he was capable of exporting WMD technology to terrorists (it turned out to be a farce by Sadam to fool Iran that fooled even his own generals).  Both needed military attention.  Actually, both needed a lot more military attention then they got but with Clinton's war on the military cutting its size by more then half, not enough troops were available to do the job correctly so things didn't go so well.  

As far as concentrating on domestic issues, what is the point if it is constantly interrupted and destroyed by terrorist attacks or international blackmail?  The federal government's primary job is national defense and international relations with domestic issues relegated only to interstate commerce.  If the states wish to delegate responsibility for domestic issues to the federal government with the consent of their people, then fine, but it is still a secondary responsibility for the federal government.  

It might be nice to return to the 1800s where the US was a back water but fortunately or unfortunately, that is not possible.  The US has developed the current world order since the end of WW II and most all have prospered and wars greatly diminished as a result.  For the US to turn inward just returns the world to the great power struggles similar to that that so enveloped Europe since the 1600s and at a time when weapon technology could make WW II look like heaven.  What many fail to see is that the world is not the same one that your great fore bearers lived in.  National economies are intertwined globally and based on that of the USA who made the rules.  Interruptions in foreign economies, small foreign wars, pariah dictators,  and forceful attempts to control energy access (aka Russia in Georgia) all have a direct affect on the US economy and the general well being of its peoples.  Add that to terrorism being the main tool being used by radical Islam to put and end to western civilization and one quickly appreciates why the US Congress decided on war in Iraq and Afghanistan.  

Both should have had equal and greater emphasis.    

Answer 4

"If we knew then, what we new now. I would of focused on Afghanistan. "

WE DID!!!!

Afghanistan, but the Bush had Osama at Tora Bora and walked away! Pulling the military out!

Answer 5

Even before the invasion, I believed Bush/Cheney used 9/11 as a convenient excuse to invade Iraq.

There is no way we should have gone in. They weren't harboring Al Quaida, quite the opposite. Saddam hated Al Quaida.