10 February 2007
Friedman's Iraq Plan
Thomas Friedman showed his ability for clear thinking in his OpEd article that appeared in syndication on 10 February 2007 when he described a two-part strategy for ending the U.S. involvement in Iraq. Yes, it has been self-defeating for America to insert itself into the sectarian cauldron of Iraq in pursuit of an imperialist destiny as the imposer of "democratic values" around the world. Without laying blame for that silly, and costly, error, it is long past time to end our military intervention there in the absence of actual risk to our security. Let the factions in that part of the world fight it out among themselves; even let the Turks intervene if and when their security is threatened; and the Iranians, too. But remain vigilant and ready to intervene again if a center of terrorist training grows in a weakened Iraqi state, or in its progeny.
Yes, permanently raising the price of oil to a replacement level, like $3.50 a gallon (or $80.00 a barrel) would allow us to structure an energy source-neutral economy, even though it would be a bitter pill to swallow. A price has to be paid for insulation from both terrorist and economic extortion. But we should be smart about it and not place lives needlessly in danger nor abdicate control of our economic future to an international cartel.
Thomas Friedman showed his ability for clear thinking in his OpEd article that appeared in syndication on 10 February 2007 when he described a two-part strategy for ending the U.S. involvement in Iraq. Yes, it has been self-defeating for America to insert itself into the sectarian cauldron of Iraq in pursuit of an imperialist destiny as the imposer of "democratic values" around the world. Without laying blame for that silly, and costly, error, it is long past time to end our military intervention there in the absence of actual risk to our security. Let the factions in that part of the world fight it out among themselves; even let the Turks intervene if and when their security is threatened; and the Iranians, too. But remain vigilant and ready to intervene again if a center of terrorist training grows in a weakened Iraqi state, or in its progeny.
Yes, permanently raising the price of oil to a replacement level, like $3.50 a gallon (or $80.00 a barrel) would allow us to structure an energy source-neutral economy, even though it would be a bitter pill to swallow. A price has to be paid for insulation from both terrorist and economic extortion. But we should be smart about it and not place lives needlessly in danger nor abdicate control of our economic future to an international cartel.
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