Too many times today, we hear the American people and politicians say about the Iraq war, "If I only knew then what I know now I would have not supported it, or demanded more information and assurances beforehand."
This is precisely why I think that Members of Congress- with the American people watching on television -- should participate in an Iran war game. We don't have to be in the dark again like we were in Iraq. We can participate in an Iran war game that objectively and accurately examines the casualties, consequences and outcomes of a possible military strike against Iran.
The Pentagon conducts war games all the time to assess a war scenario. Since the Constitution vests in the Congress the power to declare war, I think it is imperative for members of Congress to openly participate in a war game exercise to consider the range of realistic alternatives. Here are some of the questions a war game would consider:
How many dead? How many wounded? How much destruction? Would we pulverize Iranian targets with bunker buster bombs? Could a U.S. military strike against Iran metastasize like a malignant cancer into a wider Mideast war? What provocation could cause the president to order a strike?
From information gathering to decision making, we can do this openly and honestly. I know it can be done because I have met and spoken with people who can do it. These are recently retired, high-level CIA intelligence officers and a retired Air Force Colonel who used to conduct war games inside the Pentagon. In recent months I have met with these people in groups on several occasions, and they even shared a plan of how to go about staging such an exercise. In other words, the people who can do it and a plan have already been identified.
Conducting an Iran war game out in the open, with the American people watching, guarantees a fair, accurate and honest assessment. The people have a right to know, and an Iran war game is a realistic way to address the possible outcomes of a military strike against Iran. At least that is what I think. I want my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me on this issue, and I hope that the American people and media will strongly support this proposal.
Now it is your turn. Tell me -- and everyone on Huffington Post-- what you think about this idea. Would you support it? If so, can we get Congress to support it? I look forward to your responses.
Simulations are cheap, and they can lead to at least some insight into what misery the administration may try to involve us in.
Dear Sir:
Please stage the war game online, for all to see. Keep an assessment, and tally the costs. Even if the Congress won't do it. For that matter, can't you reserve a large room for your own purposes and sponsor such an event, even without 'approval'?
I would attend the online version. The Huffington Post would probably follow it as well.
Post the discussion, maybe a video on C-SPAN. We are rational beings living in a technologically capable society. Let's do it without formal 'permission'. Just because we are sentient human beings capable of our own thoughts.
Nick Radonic
Maryland
media to scare the day lights out of the public by mentioning the name of the latest
bogeyman Iran? What danger a puny country
like Iran can possibly pose to a mighty super power like USA?
Now I have a game in mind with consequences that would not involve one drop of our brave soldiers’ blood. Here is the scenario, instead of demonizing Iran and comparing Ahmadinejad to Hitler (I could write on and on about how stupid of a comparison that is), we start supporting the cause of the Iranian people. How about some media coverage on the leaders of the unions in Iran that are being tortured and jailed. How about treatment of political dissident and civil rights groups, how about the women’s movement in Iran. Let us expose the regime of how brutal it is to its own people. Let’s not forget how Rumsfeld shoved every weapon in inventory into Saddam's pockets to kill Iranians and Kurds in the 80’s. While us along with Europe and the arab countries watched in silence. Let us not help the wrong cause again.
The Iranian people have suffered in the name of islam more than anyone else. The first was in the seventh century and then in 1978. They are to this day being oppressed by fundamentalist rulers that want to erase their Persian culture and replace with islam. The arab world would love that, as Persian culture has greatly influenced the region. This is something Persians are very proud of but arabs would love to see destroyed. By dropping bombs on those people, we will do the opposite of what we desire in the end. The Iranians will further distrust America as they see us in bed with the Saudis who are the biggest contributors to terrorists from Iraq to Afghanistan. The rest of the muslim world will further hate us.
I find your idea intriguing. As long as we all equate secret knowledge with power, full disclosure will not be welcomed by a public who fears abuse by "our enemies." But having Congress participate in war games and publishing only the results, not the details, should be possible. As someone posted earlier, the Iraq war game was conducted in 1999 (http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB207/index.htm), but not widely publicized. If the results of this exercise had been common knowledge by 2002, Americans wouldn't have been tricked into supporting the war.
"Post-Saddam Iraq: The War Game" and the documents referenced at the above web site should be added to Mr. Kucinich's resolution to be studied by the House Judiciary Committee.
I've a modest proposal. Seeing how there are 535 members of Congress, lets draft them in to their own unit. We'll exempt those members that have voted CONSISTENTLY against the Iraq debacle. The remainder will be issued standard small arms, faulty body armour, and unarmoured Humvees. After six weeks of basic training, this new "1st Congressional Volunteer Brigade" will then be deployed to the hottest war zone in Iraq for immediate combat patrol duty, including sniper sweeps, IED search and removal, and etc.
Video cameras will be attached to the helmets of all of the participants, and will also be fitted to the Humvees as well. Meals will be provided by KBR. Medical care (as needed) by the VA. The brigade's official motto will be "Ave, Caesar!"
After six months, we'll assess the results of the experiment.
Leland R. Erickson
Citizen
Unfortunately the administration plays 'games' with every crucial problem, and with lives, and this should be serious business. I agree on out-in-the-open discussions, which are not the norm in DC, but please - no more GAMES!
If anyone thinks a limited strike against the Iranians is all that's needed you're delusional. The Iraqies didn't have a conventional army qualified to fight back; the Iranians do. You'd not only set off terrorist activities all over Europe but here as well. Forget Pakistan. If she's not already lost to us, an attack on Iran will guarantee it.
The arab world is already paranoid that we're at war with their religion; attack Iran and there's their proof.
Lastly, If McDermott is so convinced a public display of war planning is acceptable then he better get ready to plan to buy a hell of a lot of cameras because the public will demand to see photos we're not allowed to see now--the returning flag-draped coffins of American dead. So much for McDermott's plans for war.
To plan publicly for war with Iran and the resulting casualties etc is about as irresponsible as Bush's saber rattling with that country too. Have something against peace McDermott? Instead of planning for war, plan for peace. Plan precisely about how you would go about talking--directly talking to the Iranians--and what you would say to them so as to resolve issues with them. Neo-Cons want war; democrats and independents don't. Bad idea McDermott--very bad idea to go about with this war plan of yours.
You listed the usual stuff, but I think part of your game fun should be how to control the riots in our streets and what to do with the armed insurrection that may break out in America. Be sure to include all of the contingency plans, not just war-fighting stuff: gasoline and food shortages, a revolt in the military from fatigue and worring about their families, financial collapse on a world-wide scale, a possible nuclear response from Pakistan, American industry grinding to a halt from lack of petroleum and how to control our own home-grown lunatics. By the way, to make the game seem real, you will need to drag out all of the secret stuff you use for justification so the paranoia can be shared equally. Thanks for the opportunity to respond to your question before this type of discourse is no longer allowed. Peace!