BAM! Sneak attack turnover!
 

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/...ver/index.html

Sneaky America...so what do you guys think? Is this a good move? Will it work?

I'd say doing it early and without fanfare was a good move, cause it caught everyone off guard...including those who would want to try to hit the ceremony.

As to will it end the attacks...I'm sure it won't. Still, it's a step in the right direction, like the article said.

I think this was a really good move. Whether or not it'll work though only time will tell.

It all depends on whether or not this new government is any more legitimate than the previous one. That, and the peception on the part of the Iraqi people. I mean, even if this was a fully fledged government, if they're seen as nothing more than a puppet government, it won't help matters any.

Also, there are those who claim the increase in insurgency has to do with the power transition, but me, I favor the point of view that its a progression of events. And had the transfer of power not even been on the table, things would be just as bad, as they are now.

The only good thing, is that this means at least our people can start to pull out, at least those in the Administration levels. But as far as troops on the ground, I still see that as a long way off.

Sky Warrior Bob

Just like I said before, I think that we need to start bringing our troops home. I don't think it's right for administration to leave, but the other men have to stay behind and continually risk their lives.

We gave Iraq it's government back, now let it use it's own military.

While that would be the quick and easy way to do thing, it would make this entire thing really for nothing. From what I know, the Iraqis don't have a strong enough military to handle the insurgents. But, maybe that day won't be too far off since NATO is going to help train securty forces

Slightly interesting story... Apparently $20 billion of Iraq's oil revenues has somehow gone missing...

http://www.aljazeera.com/cgi-bin/new...ervice_id=2538

Sky Warrior Bob

All I can say is this guys: The last time we helped Iraq in this kind of thing, all it did was arm them to fight against us.

I wasn't alive, but I know it well enough from what I have heard and what I have read. We, the US, helped out Iraq against the Soviets in the 80s, hoping to promote democracy. After the Iraqis thrashed the Soviets with some of the training and all of the weapons we gave them, they turned on us. (Gulf War) And, look at things today; they're even worse. I really think we should learn from those mistakes and let their own military handle it. Or pay us so much money for such things it's absolutely disgusting. 'cause, you all know, money does everything in this world.

Sad, isn't it?

Easy enough to say, more difficult to do. If we pulled out our military it would be the same as afghanistan in the 70s/80s. No doubt the extremists would eventually seize power, and no country would support re-invading. We have to continue the peacekeeping mission until the 'interim' government is stable enough to actually deal with things on their own.

True, shiney, true. However, how long are they going to want us to keep our military there? Keep our men there while thousands yet still try to kill them. Keep men there that were promised to be able to return home well over 6 months ago.

We do need to keep men there, but under what circumstances? Hopefully we can pull our men out very soon. (I really believe that no matter what we do, Iraq will go back to the way it was) I think America also needs to learn one thing: We are not the police of the world.

There's me two coppers for the pot.