Why won’t General David Petraeus ever declare victory in Iraq?
The outgoing commander of US troops in Iraq, Gen David Petraeus, has said that he will never declare victory there.
In a BBC interview, Gen Petraeus said that recent security gains were “not irreversible” and that the US still faced a “long struggle”.
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He said he did not know that he would ever use the word “victory”: “This is not the sort of struggle where you take a hill, plant the flag and go home to a victory parade… it’s not war with a simple slogan.”
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7610405.stm
Since we can agree that Petreaus is the most informed and foremost authority on Iraq, why won’t Bush and McCain listen, stop declaring victory and discussing “winning with honor”?
No one in the front office wants to define what victory is.
So he can’t declare it
Declaring victory in Iraq would be in name only. To do so would set us up, I promise you that terrorist / insurgent groups would make it a point to launch a bloody suicide bombing campaign. They know they can count on the world media to push that image into everyone’s household and make a complete mockery of our claims of victory.
Because he can not, it’s that simple. There is never going to be a victory when you are the occupier. Victory will be declared by Iraq when we (USA) leave their country.
Victory comes only after a war is won, Iraq and Afghanistan are battles in a broader war on terror.
Because it’s no longer a military campaign. It’s no longer about conquering and defending, or planting a flag on a hill. Its about building a stable and healthy democracy that will sustain itself for centuries to come. Which would always be a work in progress.
I agree, they should stop using rhetoric like “victory”, considering it doesn’t apply to nation building. But it’s a political buzzword, so don’t hold you breath.
By the way, even Bush has somewhat backed off the word “victory” recently. I think his new word is “success”. John McCain still likes the word victory, though.
I cant believe some of the pro con people’s answers here.
I have served in the military for 20 years, including the first gulf war.
WHEN WILL PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT YOU CANT WIN A WAR AGAINST A CONCEPT!
The so called war on terror will never be won, EVER.
Because he knows dam well we lost – blue it – never win occupations.
In Iraq (and the other middle eastern countries) there will always be terrorists and extremists. And as a military leader he knows this, and he also knows that it would be irresponsible to declare victory against a people that will never give up trying to hurt us.
As for our current president and Senator John McCain they have a different opinion.I do not believe that what they mean by victory is actually a military victory, but a moral and perhaps even a political victory.
In order to achieve a victory, America must establish a stable government and safe environment in Iraq.This, I believe, will be a very difficult task, but not unachievable.
There will never be victory in an illegal war,it will remain a war with no end until our leaders figure this out.
Iraq and Afghanistan areas are the largest Sky Ports on this planet and we need to keep lots of troops and weaponry in the area to WATCH for incoming aliens. The gov’t of course does NOT want to admit this so they are having a convenient war. It also draws attention from the election from time to time when the economy isn’t taking the headlines of the papers and the front covers of the magazines.
You can doubt the above until June 2009 when the planet Nibiru will be making it’s northern hemisphere debut. If you see a red planet with red dust floating all around it like the dust on LInus’s blanket THEN be ready for the rest that will be coming right after that.
If you do NOT see or hear about a red planet with lots of dust floating around it then just forget that I said anything.
But since I have spent years researching this and have devoted a bit of time to the following website as listed in the “sources” section, you are invited to check it out and attend the lectures of Ian Lungold and David Flynn. After that you are welcome to check out the VOLUMES of information that covers what WILL happen in the next 3.31 years and the two years following that.
You can also download free books, Bringers of the Dawn, and, The Wave, to start … there WILL be more.
Plus tons of good videos and all sorts of articles plus we’ll be pointing out News items Worthy of Mention, where Nibiru, or Ascension, is either mentioned or missed or discussed.
The World is Waking Up rapidly. It is necessary that everyone get up to speed and “understand” what is happening. If you wait TOO long you’ll NEVER get caught up in time. Creation is moving faster and faster each day and WE need to do the same … or be passed by.
Or not …
There’s a cool video that addresses a recent military find in Iraq of an old ancient Sumerian Temple from 3180 BC. IN IT, is a copper box, and in the box are tablets that talk about 2012 AD. Our govt’ TRIED to hide it but failed.
It’s all on the website below. Plus, I found a forum that also addresses similar topics and will be of benefit as well.