What if we pulled out of Iraq and Afghanistan?

Question

Here is my proposal: We should pull out of Iraq and Afghanistan entirely. One thing I have noticed is that terrorism seems extremely focused on the United States and Britain. Coincidentally, both are countries engaged in the middle east. Places like Canada, which is a western nation, has never been attacked. Why is this? It seems as if the only countries that are targets of terrorists are countries that are engaged in the middle east. Why not entirely take our interests out of the middle east and spend the billions of dollars we spend every month in Iraq on our own country's domestic defense. This way, we can entirely protect this country by literally sealing it off from terrorist attacks and at the same time, keep our noses out of places we are not welcome in anyways. Yes, that means we let Israel fight on its own. I am sorry, but Israel is not America, it is its own sovereign nation and should deal with its conflicts on its own. What say you?

Answer 1

Canada has not been attacked because they mind their own business, do not meddle in the affairs of other countries, plus they generate their own oil.  When was the last time you saw Canada invade a country in aggression or topple a democratically elected leader of another country?  When was the last time you saw Canada threaten another country?  Canadians are highly respected wherever they go in the world.

Both Britain and the USA are in Iraq in order to control the huge oil reserves.  Look up a company called BP, also known as British Petroleum, they have a huge stake in Arco.

Now, here comes the nasty part.  I believe that the terrorist attacks that happened on British and American soil were inside jobs.  No, I am not a tin foil hatted conspiracy theorist.  I am a believer in watching what goes on and making up my own mind.  Everything happens for a reason.

But this is the real reason why Afghanistan was invaded, in order to build oil and gas pipelines:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1984...

Very little effort was made to find Osama Bin Laden?  Why?  

Governments have been faking terrorist attacks for years, in order to keep their people frightened and "in line".  The n**i regime did the same thing.

Read this article:

http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/ARTICL...

Answer 2

if we pulled out of iraq and afghanistan, better put your head between your legs and kiss your a-- goodbye.

Answer 3

Well, both Iraq and Afghanistan were far more stable countries before we occupied them, a trillion dollars, tens of thousands of American dead and wounded, and all we have to show for it are two failed states? So yes, if anything it would improve the situation if we pulled out, foreign armies simply aren't popular in that part of the world. The Russians could have told us that. And it would certainly ease the strain on our budget and military, while INCREASING our options and room to maneuver. That's something the "we must stay" crowd doesn't want to see, staying means we are basically trapped, and our real enemies, Russia and China, are running rings around us and gaining more power and influence every day we remain.

Israel is perfectly capable of defending itself, they have the world's fourth largest army and the undisputed most powerful military in the Middle East, not to mention hundreds of nukes. If the USA stopped writing blank checks for them they would have to settle with their neighbors, they have been at peace for decades with Egypt and Jordan, there's no reason they can't make peace with Syria and Lebanon.

And yes, historically terrorism is virtually always a response to foreign occupation, it's a tactic, not an ideology. They don't hate us for our freedoms, they hate us for stationing troops where our troops have no business being stationed.

Unfortunately in American politics, you can never admit you made a mistake, so I wouldn't hold my breath. We will stay until we are forced to leave, all at a terrible price, and even then people will find excuses to blame other Americans for our "failure." Our only failure was confusing being a super power with having superpowers, some still haven't figured that out and never will.

Answer 4

The ultimate objective was & is 'CONTROL'. You can put all the US actions under this category. US has supported and aided many tyrants and dictators.Why? - Control.

The problem is deeper than that, your proposals would've been viable few decades ago, when US directly started meddling in world affairs, for what we call Control/Imperialism.

Yes the major reason is blind support for Israel, that directly fuels hatred and resentment towards US. Combine that with aiding corrupt regimes. Unstable governments will lead to instability, and if US is associated with that instability, US will be a target.

Cutting of Israel is simply an impossibility, Why? - Very powerful pro-Israel lobbies, particularly AIPAC.

It is a well known fact within political circles that you can not get elected without the blessing of AIPAC. Even Obama had to pay fealty to AIPAC.

US gives Israel over $6 Billion in Aid every year (2/3 military aid), not to mention other incentives. US economy is in recession but US has promised Israel extra $30 Billion of aid within next 10 years.

http://amconmag.com/2008/2008_06_30/arti...

US is so entangled in world affairs, particularly concerning control ie OIL, that it is simply impossible to cut and run. Receding US economy will immediately collapse. It's like you've dug your own grave now you must lie in it.

Then their are other problems ie regimes not kissing US a$$$ or rogue or hostile regimes. In other words if US doesn't other countries will fill the vacuum and gain control. Then US wouln't be able to force everyone to dance to their tune.

If US immediately leaves Iraq, Iran will take over, for US that means losing strategic control, as usual threat for Israel & losing control over OIL reserves. So US is trying their best to keep control.

If US leaves Afghanistan it wouln't stop the terrorist attacks now, they will see that as a victory and US will be attacked. Afghanistan will be a safe heaven. The option was only viable two decades ago. It would destabilize the region including Pakistan & Alqaeeda would move into other Arab countries, resulting in Catastrophe.

The sad thing is the quest control has nothing to do with the people of US, it doesn't benefit people one bit BUT to acquire control for corporations, just few people who are bent on taking over - it is nothing new, you can simply put it under 'Modern Imperialism'!

Even troubling is US still hasn't learnt anything, and is still perusing the same policies. So today US is simply facing the consequences for earlier actions, and if the same line is perused will simply face the consequences of todays actions.

As you sow so shall you reap!

Answer 5

the thing is we cannot completely seal off ourselves from the other middle eastern countries. it is not that easy. if we pull out all right now immediately, then we would leave the middle east in a big mess (even though with the surge things seem to have gotten a little better), but we cannot pull out immediately. plus i am not sure if we are ready to pull out of afghanistan. it is a huge mess over there. iraq is in a lot better shape than afghanistan. the reason that the middle east is not attacking canada and places like that is because canada has nothing to do with all the violence going on. even if the US pulls out, we are still involved in all the violence because we back Israel and we invaded. we can never completely dissocciated with anything going on there. it is not just so easy that we pull out, spend money and then we're safe (even though that would be a nice situation).