'What Exactly Are We Fighting?'
Nothing. Leave, that's the plan.

Interesting blog.

Pick and choose journalism.

I hope you discuss in the coming parts:
1) Islam has been engaged in an internal civil war between several factions. Some of the "civil war" goes back to over 2,000 years and based on a religious schism between Sunni, Shia, Sufism (practiced by both Sunni and Shia), and Kharijite factions. Add to this the modern nation-state and nationalism from theocratic Iranian, Saudi Arabia (Wahabiist), Afghani, to more "progressive" Lebanese, Turkish, etc. Islam is a great religion that is at odds with modernity; it (Islamic nation-states) have failed to make the economic choices to diversify their economies; and among other choices, sought to impose its ideas and methods on the West.

2) Iraq and US were at war not since 1991-1992 but since Gulf War I under Bush senior. It was a "continuation" of agressions by Iraq, channeled by Saddam Hussein, after invading and annexing, wiping Kuwait the country off the map.

3) Iraq was a signator to the UN provisions that prohibited any country to the development of a) biological and chemical weapons (weapons of mass destruction); b) the prohibition of an aggressive invasion of a foreign country (Kuwait and Iran); c) The prohibition of the use of chemical and biological chemicals on its own populations (gassed upwards of 22,000 Kurds in Northern Iraq); And, d) a prohibition of harboring international terrorists (Iraq gave safe haven to the Twin Towers bomber mastermind and the Aquille Lauro hijacker that killed Leon Klinghoffer)

Every power in history that has felt the need to invade other countries to protect their "interests" (Rome, France, Germany, etc) has soon after collapsed. In fact, invading other countries is one of the first signs of decline.

Interesting question, but "Why are we fighting?" is a better question.

Placebo, America chose to stay in Germany and Japan. First, America forcibly wrote into the Japanese constitution that Japan could not rebuild a military for other than 'defensive' purposes. Hence, Japan required the aid of others, specifically America. This was no coincidence, Placebo. America had wanted permanent military presence in the Pacific and East Asia since the 19th century. The "coincidence" of Japan's constitutional provision provided the "opportunity."

Second, Germany and Europe in general was held together by NATO after WWII. America who, by chance, manned and gave strength to NATO? Why America, by coincidence.

America's presence in Iraq continues to be constitutionally provisioned according to Iraq's constitution. America is Iraq's security and economic management. This is CONSTITUTIONAL.

But this time, America is seeking predominance of Iraqi oil and gas policies.
Sir, this is called EMPIRE.

"The good news is that it is entirely under our control to stop it."

Aside from this statement, everything in your article points to the US having opened pandora's box. How can you end something when you've made a million enemies simply by starting it? It seems the only way is forgiveness. Is the east really going to just forgive us and let us quietly slip away in the night. I find it difficult to buy "that 'it' is entirely under our control".

Okay folks: Newsflash: A complete withdraw from Iraq and Afghanistan is impossible, and if it is, then let's get our troops home from Germany and Japan (50years) first!

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