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A few weeks ago, the Iraq War was in the news again, briefly: That’s because Donald Trump went all Cindy Sheehan on the subject. In response, Victor Davis Hanson wrote an important piece – certainly what Jay regards as an important piece: “Iraq: The Real Story.”
In this “Q&A,” Jay talks to VDH about Iraq. Among other things, VHD explains the practical effect of getting Iraq wrong – of allowing a false picture to take over. The effect isn’t good.
Whatever you think of the Iraq War, you will almost certainly find Hanson worth hearing out. And Jay is especially gratified that VDH is doing this hard – and largely thankless? – work.
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Hansen is one of the foreign policy adults, but he is a little facile in speaking of our ability to nation build, using Panama and Serbia as examples. First we are not the same country we were in the immediate post war world. The war had developed master administrators, we had language abilities. Viet Nam should have taught us that things had changed and they’re gotten worse since.
Iraq is not about nation-building. It is about being patient and staying long term in what may be the most strategic location on earth while they build themselves.
And that is what is wrong with Americans- including, BTW, Jonah Goldberg and Bret Stephens. They think that you can hit really hard and then run away, and somehow everything will be the same as if you stick it out long term now matter how unpleasant.
Thanks Victor. I stated much of this (with no detail) a few years ago.