Iraq a world issue?

Meh...let's just A-Bomb 'em.

-Champagne Wishes and Caviar Dreams

Most Americans believe that their military presence anywhere is beneficial to world peace because there were two World Wars where if it were not for Americans the world would be speaking German. The rest of the world has repeatedly turned to America for assistance, so it has gone to our heads that the world cannot go on without the involvement of America.

Osama and the rest of al-Qaida is definitely a threat to the majority of the rich nations. Maybe not with direct attacks on these countries' soil but if a strike is made such as 09/11 it affects all nations. Their economies take a dip when a strike is made. All air travel for the US was cancelled in the days following 09/11. Tourism and business travel suffered. The world is not just a bunch of spread-out tribes taht barely interact with one another anymore. Everything is intertwined with the economy. So it is in the best financial interest of these other nations to assist. If there is financial upheaval in a nation the first thing most of the population wants to do is get rid of the ruling government. So it is in the best interest of the ruling government to either provide financial stability or rule with an Iron Glove.

We did not attack Afghanistan for revenge. We attacked Afghanistan because they were harboring the leader of the organization that was responsible for attacks against US embassies, USS Cole, and 09/11. I think that this should have been done long before 09/11 and we would have saved the lives lost on 09/11 and the lives lost fighting both wars that came after. Had 09/11 never happened there would never have been the public sentiment that we had to rid the world of the evil-doers.

When we went into Iraq, it was to get oil but the public support would not have been there had 09/11 never happened. Had previous administrations taken care of their world affairs then we would be better off.

It's my impression that Bin Laden has had al-Queda cells planted in every corner of the earth for quite some time. No nation is safe. Not even the Islamic people are safe from al-Queda. I believe that some of the counties you named off, have felt some type of terrorism that can be linked back to al-Queda...

I have never understood why folks think we are in Iraq, because we want their oil. We have plenty of counties who import oil to the U.S. What we need now, is for Iraq to step up to the plate and take responsibility for quelling their civil war and put democracy to work.