Comments on: On The “Surge” (Again) http://www.amconmag.com/larison/2008/06/26/on-the-surge-again/ n. the principle of good order<br /><br /> "Observe the strange inversion of all order and sense! Dignity debased; how vilely is the function of a consul prostituted!" ~The Craftsman Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:02:13 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.3 hourly 1 By: tcowan http://www.amconmag.com/larison/2008/06/26/on-the-surge-again/comment-page-1/#comment-11858 tcowan Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:05:02 +0000 http://www.amconmag.com/larison/2008/06/26/on-the-surge-again/#comment-11858 Daniel, "'successful' resolutions to what are already catastrophically failed policies"... Exactly so! Even though Turkey is viewed as something of a success, a visitor with any historical consciousness at all cannot come away from Istanbul, or Trabzon, or Izmir or Cappadocia without an over-arching sense of sadness for all that was lost. I have recently returned from 3 weeks in the Levant--Syria and Jordan mainly, with a bit of Lebanon and Palestine thrown in. I find many parallels between Syria and pre-occupation Iraq. I have just started posting my observations, and will continue in coming weeks. They may be of some interest to you. Terry Daniel,

“’successful’ resolutions to what are already catastrophically failed policies”…

Exactly so!

Even though Turkey is viewed as something of a success, a visitor with any historical consciousness at all cannot come away from Istanbul, or Trabzon, or Izmir or Cappadocia without an over-arching sense of sadness for all that was lost.

I have recently returned from 3 weeks in the Levant–Syria and Jordan mainly, with a bit of Lebanon and Palestine thrown in. I find many parallels between Syria and pre-occupation Iraq. I have just started posting my observations, and will continue in coming weeks. They may be of some interest to you.

Terry

]]> By: Daniel Larison http://www.amconmag.com/larison/2008/06/26/on-the-surge-again/comment-page-1/#comment-11844 Daniel Larison Fri, 27 Jun 2008 01:02:56 +0000 http://www.amconmag.com/larison/2008/06/26/on-the-surge-again/#comment-11844 Certainly, I think very highly of Reihan and I give his opinion a lot of weight, but I think he is far too optimistic about the prospects for the future of a mission in Iraq. It really is a case of not seeing the forest for the trees, and I wish Reihan and others would see that. Certainly, I think very highly of Reihan and I give his opinion a lot of weight, but I think he is far too optimistic about the prospects for the future of a mission in Iraq. It really is a case of not seeing the forest for the trees, and I wish Reihan and others would see that.

]]> By: jaloren http://www.amconmag.com/larison/2008/06/26/on-the-surge-again/comment-page-1/#comment-11838 jaloren Thu, 26 Jun 2008 23:02:49 +0000 http://www.amconmag.com/larison/2008/06/26/on-the-surge-again/#comment-11838 Reihan exemplifies how wrong the surge proponents are. They are so wrong they don't even have the question right. Anti-war opponents have been arguing about the strategic goals in Iraq for well over two years. They have kept on asking,"What goals do we have and do we have any realistic chance of accomplishing those goals? " And the pro-"Stay in Iraq forever" crowd, respond with non-sequiturs. "Violence is down. People's lives are saved. Iraq is more stable now then it was 2 years before." To which I can only say: now what? At times, I wonder how much blood and treasure they are willing to spend on a minuscule chance at success. Then I realize that that is the wrong question to be asking. The word success can only have any meaning within the context of a strategic goal. And that's something that not one surge advocate has answered. What mystifies me is how intelligent people who are arguing in good faith, can make such specious arguments. Reihan exemplifies how wrong the surge proponents are. They are so wrong they don’t even have the question right.

Anti-war opponents have been arguing about the strategic goals in Iraq for well over two years. They have kept on asking,”What goals do we have and do we have any realistic chance of accomplishing those goals? ”

And the pro-”Stay in Iraq forever” crowd, respond with non-sequiturs.

“Violence is down. People’s lives are saved. Iraq is more stable now then it was 2 years before.”

To which I can only say: now what? At times, I wonder how much blood and treasure they are willing to spend on a minuscule chance at success. Then I realize that that is the wrong question to be asking. The word success can only have any meaning within the context of a strategic goal.

And that’s something that not one surge advocate has answered.

What mystifies me is how intelligent people who are arguing in good faith, can make such specious arguments.

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