Only the Iraqis themselves can end the chaos and violence

In an Op-Ed piece in the New York Times entitled "An Iraqi Solution, Vietnam Style", United States Marine Corps University associate professor Mark Moyar opines that "Critics of America's current Iraq policy, particularly among the Congressional Democrats, have tended to concentrate on international diplomatic remedies. Experience, however, suggest that only the Iraqis themselves can end the chaos and violence." I agree. He examines some of the relevant history and lessons from Vietnam. In his lead statement he notes that:

Iraq's prime minister, Nuri al-Maliki, is now saying that he wants the United States to stand back and let him use Iraqi forces to restore order. Within six months, he asserts, the bloodletting will cease. The United States must give this proposal very serious consideration.

That is consistent with what I have been saying lately. We have to let the Iraqis take the lead. We've held their hand long enough. It's time for them to rock and roll. The most and best we can do right now is to simply stay out of their way and cease and desist from trying to force feed them Neoconservative dogma.

Professor Moyar concludes by noting that:

The United States may ultimately find that no Iraqi leader can neutralize both the insurgents and the militias. The benefits of a self-sufficient Iraqi government are so great, however, that we must give Mr. Maliki the opportunity to try.

I would simply note that it is not a matter of giving the Iraqis a chance, but the reality that they Iraqis are going to take the chance whether we go along or not.

-- Jack Krupansky