Iraqis loading up on weapons to be ready for the impending US withdrawal!!..

[The Noble Lord]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110614/..._weapons_sales

It is really a good question what would happen when majority of the US forces depart, without being gloomy it is not naive to think that there would be some sort of internal strife. That is one more terrible side-effect of the 2003 invasion and occupation of Iraq, one of many. After the "coalition of the willing" invaded and practically destroyed the country of Iraq, now it will leave fractured and divided Iraq that can quiet possibly fracture and slip into chaos even further!

[Stuntdawg5]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110614/..._weapons_sales

It is really a good question what would happen when majority of the US forces depart, without being gloomy it is not naive to think that there would be some sort of internal strife. That is one more terrible side-effect of the 2003 invasion and occupation of Iraq, one of many. After the "coalition of the willing" invaded and practically destroyed the country of Iraq, now it will leave fractured and divided Iraq that can quiet possibly fracture and slip into chaos even further!

Or....It could remain the democratic government the US established after they rebuilt the country. What it comes down to is that once the US leaves Iraq will have to decide whether they want to fight to keep their country free and democratic or fall apart. If they set their minds to it, I am sure that they can remain a united country.

[Nietzsche]

As much as I hated the invasion, I'm dubious of the term "practically destroyed." I think you are being a bit narrow in your analysis. A great deal of good has come out of the invasion, along with all the bad. It's a mixed bag that has strained our economy and weakened us as a whole. However, if the question was posed whether the Iraqi people are better off now, I think I would say yes. Yes, there is a great deal of violence with Syria and Iran meddling and supporting bombings and massacres, but I think the overall price of blood is lower now than when Saddam and his thugs were raping the country as they willed.

In any case, to be frank, I really don't care what happens when the coalition troops finally depart. Just as the nation earned it's previous leader, it will earn the next, much like any other state. This time though, I think there is a bit more liberty in the choice than before. I'm at a loss to say whether it was worth the cost in American lives and dollars.

[Rome101]

I'm sure the USA will leave enough spies around to know if Iraq is going to fall into the hands of Sadam2.

[Exarch]

the megafortress in iraq aka the US embassy can hold a small army and is resistant to sieges for 100 turns.

that is, of course dependant on the iraqi gov. and/or the state department in twisting baghdad's nipples

[Dubh the dark]

OP, that may not be a problem anytime soon;

Defense Secretary Robert Gates declares he would like Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to invite nearly half of the 45,000 American troops to stay on as trainers and advisers. And Maliki, who long vowed he would stick to the withdrawal agreement, is now maneuvering to round up enough political support to keep a contingent of American military trainers in Iraq.

http://articles.boston.com/2011-06-1...kurdish-region

[Exarch]

OP, that may not be a problem anytime soon;

Defense Secretary Robert Gates declares he would like Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to invite nearly half of the 45,000 American troops to stay on as trainers and advisers. And Maliki, who long vowed he would stick to the withdrawal agreement, is now maneuvering to round up enough political support to keep a contingent of American military trainers in Iraq.

http://articles.boston.com/2011-06-1...kurdish-region

wtiness the awesome might of uncle sam's bony fingers working their magic!

but even if the US military leaves, the state department still and will still employ private former USMilitary contractors

[Captain Jin]

wtiness the awesome might of uncle sam's bony fingers working their magic!

but even if the US military leaves, the state department still and will still employ private former USMilitary contractors

So what? They do security for civilian personnel in the country.

[Principe Alessandro]

Kurds should declare the independence.

[Heavy Weapons Guy]

Mosul should be ceded to Turkey.


And I think Iraq will fail, thanks to USA.

[Tiberios]

Mosul should be ceded to Turkey.

Won't happen.

[garudamon11]

Kurds should declare the independence.

Mosul should be ceded to Turkey.

Hmph, the vultures are waiting


And btw why should the kurds get independence? what will they get? just independence for the sake of independence? Iraq is not about dirty evil arabs killing kurds, its unbelievably corrupt government officials (If any of you watched the government meeting at the 100 days plan you would've seen what huge failure the iraqi government is, theres even an illiterate minister!)

[(s)AINT]

Kurds should declare the independence.

This.

[Valiant Champion]

Aint nothing wrong with being prepared. I would trust myself to defend my home and loved ones before the govt, after experiencing the betrayal of a foreign occupier and a corrupt police force

[SPECTREtm]

Aint nothing wrong with being prepared. I would trust myself to defend my home and loved ones before the govt, after experiencing the betrayal of a foreign occupier and a corrupt police force

Ladies and Gentlemen, the perfect example of the 21st century redneck, right there!

[Doge Domenico]

Ladies and Gentlemen, the perfect example of the 21st century redneck, right there!

Actually that was a more democratic statment than a republican one. And why does staying prepared make you a hillbilly? The roman people couldnt fight back and look what happened to them.

[SPECTREtm]

And why does staying prepared make you a hillbilly? The roman people couldnt fight back and look what happened to them.

I just love how some americans actually think they would be capable of defending themselves in the odd chance that the US military somehow fails, or even more unlikely turns on it's own people.

I blame Red Dawn...

[Oklop]

I just love how some americans actually think they would be capable of defending themselves in the odd chance that the US military somehow fails, or even more unlikely turns on it's own people.

I blame Red Dawn...

Actually I think they (Americans) could do a decent insurgency. Once all the brave/stupid gun nuts are massacred by the invader/US military the smart guys will take over and start fighting partisan warfare.

I think US is impossible to conquer by foreign power without exterminating the population. Unless they divide on many mutually antagonistic groups (no offence to Americans but the sheer number of religions/prophets and similar was amazing to me when I visited the US) in which case it would be like Iraq. Sunni vs Shia vs Kurd...................

Anyaway, do you think Sadrs Shia nuts could take over Iraq? Or at least Shia populated areas?

Iran would help them, while the Sunnis would depend on US..............

[Ahlerich]

wonder if iraq will have a democracy where people can vote who they want and where parties can be formed freely without limits on what they want to represent. then its a matter of time until a party gets voted that is not considered the appropriate party by the west/usa and that will be the point where its getting interesting.

Aint nothing wrong with being prepared. I would trust myself to defend my home and loved ones before the govt, after experiencing the betrayal of a foreign occupier and a corrupt police force

are you recruiting for al quida again? does that not violate the TOS?

the megafortress in iraq aka the US embassy can hold a small army and is resistant to sieges for 100 turns.

thats toally unbalanced. it ruins multiplayer, i am sure somebody will mod it even though it might take some time.

[chamaeleo]

thats toally unbalanced. it ruins multiplayer, i am sure somebody will mod it even though it might take some time.

Who cares? Everyone who's important is happy, so long as the US keeps their merchants sitting astride the oil squares and pays the 1000/turn tribute to their Iraqi vassal state...