The idea of a partitioned Iraq

[cleveramerican]

is as good as any I've heard discussed by any presidential candidate.
Joe Biden is absolutely right.
Its not the best outcome ,but its one that could actually work.

The problem with our present plan is it requires a partner, which we don't have.
There is no one in Iraq who is willing to compromise enough to make democracy work.
A partitioned Iraq, consisting of three loosely federated states seems like a sensible compromise to me, although our troops would have to stay and get it set up and Shepherd it along for a while,(HOPEFULLY) without the constant drip,drip of dead and wounded American soldiers.

I have heard no better idea for a new direction with sober consideration for what follows our exit.

[Bobbieo]

1. Three states under one federal gov't - comes as close to a democracy as you can get.

[noamnety]

3. That's not democracy

If it comes at the hands of an invading force, it's kind of not democracy, by default.

[noamnety]

2. It might work, it might not.

The problem is that it's not our decision to make.

Would you be okay with me barging into your house uninvited, throwing out all the food in your fridge, watching your wife die of starvation, preventing you from acquiring more food, and then announcing benevolently that I'd be planning your meals from now on, cause it doesn't look like you have a good grasp of how to make a nutritious meal?

[Sparkly]

4. I agree it's not our decision, BUT...

I think the US could bring an international team of advisers in, as General Clark has suggested, to work with all sides in Iraq in forging a political reconciliation. If it takes this form, fine (as long as there aren't three armies) -- it's one idea to propose, at least. Not sure it'd work, not sure it'd hold, but it's a starting point in negotiations.

I think it's important for people -- especially Republicans! -- to discuss the political dilemma rather than ignoring it and focusing on the military side as if there were "An Enemy" we have to "defeat." At least discussions of such plans bring that into focus.

[cleveramerican]

5. Our next move most certainly is ours to decide.

the only thing you control in every situation is your reaction.

[mmonk]

6. The problem is we are a foreign occupation force

that waged war there. In order for any plan to work we need to leave while bringing in support from others. Nothing that will appear as the US imposing a solution on Iraq will work. And certainly not as we sit and occupy them and seek oil deals from their resources and build military bases and such.