experts

Edwin Black an author who wrote Banking on Baghdad, Inside Iraq's 7,000-Year History of War, Profit, and Conflict stated that, " Iraq's long history of violence and resistance to outside interference dooms democracy in that country." This comment is important and supports my position, because it suggests that democracy will inevitably fail in Iraq.

Lieutenant General William E. Odom who is retires and now a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and a professor at Yale University explained that, "U.S. forces in Iraq are already caught in a quagmire that has damaged America's global reputation. Pulling out of Iraq is the only means to repair the damage because it would show critics that America is strong enough to admit its mistakes. Furthermore, freeing the nation from the Iraq nightmare would allow the U.S. government to regain diplomatic and military mobility." This opinion supports my stance because Odom is a retired lieutenant, therefor, when it comes to war-fare he knows what he's talking about.

Simon Jenkins, a writer for the New York Times pointed out that, "at least two thirds of the American opinion is against the war. This opinion joins two thirds of the world opinion to end the war in Iraq." My opinion is bring supported here because it goes to show that if a president wishes to build a democracy in another country, perhaps they should listen to their own democracy first. Very few people see the point of being in Iraq.

Second Strongest Argument

My second strongest arugment is that the Iraqi's don't trust us, they think we want their oil. After much speculation I have also come to the conclusion that America is after Iraq's resources. George Bush hasn't exactly done a very thorough explaining what our motive is concerning Iraq. And why do we need Iraq to develope a democracy so desperately? Some could say that area is a breeding ground for terrorists and we need to stablilze it for that reason. But if the terrorist threat were really that severe, why isn't the UN backing us up? One would think that if there was a terrorist epidemic in the midst, that the world would involve itself to put an end to it, because it would concern them too. We already got our revenge when he executed Hussein, we drove al-Qaeda out of power. The only reasonable explanation as to why Iraq needs to create a democracy is because then, we can have an open trade with them and have more access to their oil. My suggestion? Bring the troops home, and invent a recyclable fuel.

Strongest Argument

My strongest argument is how the establishment of democracy in Iraq will fail. First of all, democracy hasn't existed in Mesopotamia in a couple millennia. The whole region is drowning in genocide and civil disputes simply because it is populated with a culturally diverse people. In order to get the Middle East, specifally Iraq to cooperate with us, we first must convince them to cooperate with each other. Now, there is a reason why Iraqi's are in a constant, brutal struggle with one another and that is because when the British had colonized that area of the middle east, they divided it up into countries. Britain took the Kurdish Mosul, Sunni Baghdad and Shiite Basra and formed them into one land that was later named, "Iraq." Since before anyone can remember, the Shiites and Sunnis have had an immense hatred for one another, and thanks to Britain, they have to live in the same country as one another, as to say they were the same or equal. This is unacceptable to most, which explains how Iraq will forever be a victim of it's own heritage, where violence and and robbery will always prevail.

To withdrawl

I have chosen this side because it is still unclear why exactly we invaded Iraq in the first place. Bin Laden was located in Afghanistan, not Iraq, and Iraq did not possess any nuclear weapons. My strongest arguments will be, the history of democracy in Iraq, the thirst for oil, and the mentality of the Mesopotamian area. I intend to convince my readers to agree with my point of view by providing statistics and persuasive arguments.

My concerns about arguing this particular position are primarily focused on one aspect, and that is, I don't know if I totally agree with my position. I do believe that we should no longer be in Iraq. But the problem is, there is no easy way out and we are already in too deep. The consequences of withdrawing now may be much more severe than if we don't withdraw for a few more years.

Con. why we shouldn't pull out of Iraq

We should not withdraw from Iraq unless we want the entire middle east to break out into total chaos. Surrounding countries such as Iran have had their eye on Iraq for quite some time now. If we withdraw our troops, they will send in their own militias. Furthermore, if we give the Iraqi government complete power again, Shi'ite groups will no doubt take control. The ethnic cleansing has already begun, and with the absence of our troops, the death toll will sky rocket. There are Iraqi's who want/need American assistance. Civil warfare has been taking place for years and if we withdraw, the Sunni's and Shi'ites will not hesitate to terrorize one another. We made this mess, it's our responsibility to stabilize and mend what we have destroyed.

Pro: We should withdraw from Iraq

First of all, it must be said that the ideal of creating a democracy in a country where no such thing has existed for the passed few thousand years is naive and unrealistic. The Iraqi's don't even want America to be there, let alone having a government based on the American structure. Infact, when they hear the word "democracy" they think of it as a codeword for "we want your oil." The last time the Iraqi's were open to a democracy was way back when the British had colonized it. I'm not going to go into too much detail on the matter but it ended miserably and a democracy was never established. Who are we to impose democracy on Iraq anyway? Sure, if we withdraw now the whole region will be rampid with chaos. So it's our responsibility to help them. If that's the case, then why don't we help South Africa? How about North Korea? Last I checked, neither places quite had it all together. Then again, they aren't rich with precious fossil fuel. It would be better just to let them settle their own problems. Clearly, the only reason we are still in Iraq is to gain control of their oil. The British failed at the same task, I think it's time we learn from the past and admit that we failed at whatever it was we allegedly were trying to win.

Iraq- the controversy, the facts.

We as Americans are all too familiar with the mess that is taking place in Iraq. It is the unpopular yet enforced opinion that the Iraqi's cannot govern themselves, let alone create a lasting Democracy. Should America intervene more than it already has? Can we save Iraq from itself? It's not a secret that the middle east is ridden with corruption and civil disputes. Some have argued that it is not our place to try and create a democracy in a land where violence is prevalent and the idea of order and peace are foreign concepts. On the other hand there is a horrific genocide taking place; and if there is a chance that we can influence Iraq to organize itself and create peace, we should take that chance.
I chose this topic because at this point in time, it is the most important event taking place in the world. Our country is trying to take the fate of another countries welfare into our own hands. Also, there is a sense of scandal in the midst of all of this. I mean, it could just be a coincidence that we are at war with the most oil-rich region in the world, but i doubt it.