Multilateral Madness
The pursuit of a mutilateral strategy in Iraq has been a mistake. The administration has been pressured by Democrats and allies to bring as many countries into a coalition as possible as if that gives the enterprise some legitimacy in and of itself. In hind sight, it would have been better to ask for volunteers and get on with the regime change in Iraq. It would have been over before any protesters hit the street. The Turkish parliament has apparently saved the US taxpayer around $30 billion by rejecting the use of Turkey as a launch point. Apparently the use of Turkey would have created a greater dilemma for Saddam because he would have to split his forces. It would also make it easier to protect the oil fields in northern Iraq.
All military plans include alternatives, and the one the US will now use will have some surprises for Saddam because he cannot now predict exactly how the attack in the north will occur. The US forces are flexible enough to adjust to any disposition Saddam may make with the new reality on the ground. He apparently has already moved tanks from the Turkey border to trenches around Tikrite. Moving them back to the border will expose them to destruction and leaving them in place will expose them to destruction They are truly in a no win situation.
The Turks were getting a windfall the circumstances did no warrant, but they will still benefit from a US victory because the sactions on Iraq will be lifted and they are in a position to open more trade. However, the new Iraqi government and the US will have little incentive to direct deals toward the Turks. Being irrationally against a war that removes a despotic neighbor may be very expensive.
The pursuit of a mutilateral strategy in Iraq has been a mistake. The administration has been pressured by Democrats and allies to bring as many countries into a coalition as possible as if that gives the enterprise some legitimacy in and of itself. In hind sight, it would have been better to ask for volunteers and get on with the regime change in Iraq. It would have been over before any protesters hit the street. The Turkish parliament has apparently saved the US taxpayer around $30 billion by rejecting the use of Turkey as a launch point. Apparently the use of Turkey would have created a greater dilemma for Saddam because he would have to split his forces. It would also make it easier to protect the oil fields in northern Iraq.
All military plans include alternatives, and the one the US will now use will have some surprises for Saddam because he cannot now predict exactly how the attack in the north will occur. The US forces are flexible enough to adjust to any disposition Saddam may make with the new reality on the ground. He apparently has already moved tanks from the Turkey border to trenches around Tikrite. Moving them back to the border will expose them to destruction and leaving them in place will expose them to destruction They are truly in a no win situation.
The Turks were getting a windfall the circumstances did no warrant, but they will still benefit from a US victory because the sactions on Iraq will be lifted and they are in a position to open more trade. However, the new Iraqi government and the US will have little incentive to direct deals toward the Turks. Being irrationally against a war that removes a despotic neighbor may be very expensive.
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