So.....um.....how is Iraq doing nowadays?

[Mad_Machine76]

Since we're all hyper-focused on Afghanistan, I just began wondering about our other major war in recent years and think it's also worth asking, how did things wind up in Iraq?

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/iraq-travel-advisory.html

As of June 2021, State Department has issued a LEVEL 4 (highest) advisory and is advising to NOT Travel there due to "COVID-19, terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, and Mission Iraq’s limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens.

Is/was this generally considered to be a "good outcome" in terms of Bush's misguided war of choice there?

[NJCher]

1. the best thing that can happen to the Middle East

is for the rest of the world to turn to another fuel source, which is what they are doing. What they have to sell is not good for our future in terms of climate. It has to be replaced.

Then areas of the Middle East will be forced to get organized and work together for some sort of economic product that they can sell, and it won't necessarily be oil.

Saudi Arabia is already doing this.

on edit: here's a link to what Saudi Arabia is doing to diversify its economy.

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1877051/saudi-arabia

[CrispyQ]

2. If only the liberal media would report on this. -nt

[Igel]

3. There are still 2500 troops in Iraq.

Supposedly transitioning to purely training and advisory roles by EOY.

Meanwhile, there was a large drawdown and areas of the country are only subject to "over the horizon" monitoring for any activity that could be bad for the US. We left by the Iraqi government's request, phrased as a deman, and are still there because we're still "negotiating" since fall 2020.

Some of the request was Iranian pressure, because the Iranians want us out of their sphere of influence. Partly because Persian Empire, partly because they'd like to be able to have more say in Lebanon--party because "Persian Empire" and partly because they don't like the Islamic conquest's partial roll-back in Israel.

But Trump was all about ending "forever wars" and disengaging in pointless overseas miitary action, so that any troops remain is sort of startling.

[BannonsLiver]

4. Well there goes my fall vacation plans.

[brush]

5. W Bush left a horrible trail of wreckage and death in his wake.

And it's still on-going.

[czarjak]

6. Death, Debt, Destruction... Secret Society Specialist

[Victor_c3]

7. I intentionally stay away from new from Iraq

But I do periodically look to see if the aerial imagery of the region I was deployed ton in 2004 is updated. Much to my surprise, it was updated sometime within the last year - google earth had used imagery from around 2004 for at least the last 16 years or so.

When looking at a view from above, there is a stark difference between the current imagery and the way things looked when I was there in 2004. New buildings, new businesses, and more green fields of crops being grown. I don’t know what the overall political climate looks like, but the view from space looks promising.

One day I hope the region where I deployed to is safe enough to travel to. Seeing a peaceful and prosperous area would do a lot for veterans like me. I never believed in the war on Iraq, but I’d like to think that not everything I gave and lost in Iraq was for nothing (although that is probably the case).