Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mises]

With a 700 billion bailout on the way, and 25 billion to Detroit, and untold billions soon needed for FDIC, can America still afford to play democracy in Iraq? I have long held (on this site and in 'real life') that it would not be politics but economics that would bring an end to the American adventure in Iraq. With the economy on the verge of total meltdown, should the US military be planning a quick, pronto-tonto withdrawal from Iraq?

[Cheonmunka]

Funny how Bush blamed the economic problem on a few wayward Wall Street bankers. Really, if he didn't have so much zeal and go crazy with spending to fortify the Middle East, and if he spent a bit more care on internal matters this problem wouldn't have come about. I'm sure of it.
Americans would still have all their money securing their future. Now it looks rather bleak doesn't it, with all the savings depleted.

[mises]

Right, that's fine. While I disagree that Iraq is the cause of this crises, it has certainly not helped.

But my question is to what extent should the current economic crises inform the time line of withdrawal?

[Kuros]

[ernie]

^ really? quotes please.

[Cornfed]

There's a theory that the powers that be intend to totally destroy the West and hand the mantle of global dominance to East Asia for some reason. This certainly seems to be happening. If true, we can expect another disasterous land war in Asia, which the US will lose outright this time, before being reduced overnight to third-world status.

[Ya-ta Boy]

Who would these 'powers that be' be?

[mises]

Ok, Kuros. Should Obama use the severe economic troubles to point out the absurdity of the huge amounts of money flowing to Iraq as a means to politically speed up the process?

Iraq is going to explode when America leaves, if it is done tomorrow or in 10 years. Another band-aid example. Fast or slow, how to pull it off.

[Cornfed]

[catman]

[mises]

How about Can America Afford Empire?

What a Spread!
Land occupied by US bases: 46,566 square miles*
Land area of North Korea: 46,541 square miles

Lessons From Rome
Roman bases at empire's peak (AD 117): 37
British bases at empire's peak (1898): 36
US military sites overseas (2007): 761*
In Germany: 268
In Japan: 124
In South Korea: 87
Number that the Pentagon defines as "medium" or "large" (worth at least $888 million): 30
Number of foreign countries/territories that host US bases: 39**
Total US sites, foreign and domestic: 5,429

Military Architecture
Total Pentagon "facilities": 545,714*
Percentage of total on foreign soil: 19
Number on foreign soil: 102,376
Buildings: 52,962
Roads, bridges, weapons ranges, etc.: 39,648
Overseas facilities' "replacement cost": $119 billion

Priorities, Priorities
Estimated worldwide defense spending: $1.2 trillion
US share of the total: 49 percent
Federal defense spending : $587 billion
Federal education spending : $62 billion
Federal Social Security spending : $5 billion
Bush budget request to train and equip foreign militaries : $4.5 billion
Overall US spending for tsunami relief: $656 million

*Figures don't include bases in Iraq and Afghanistan; "facilities" include buildings, structures, roads, bridges, ranges, and plants; "sites" may include bases, hospitals, schools, and depots.

http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2008/09/pentagon-base-stats.html

[Kuros]

[mises]

I'm not naive enough to think that a lil'freedom will bring an end to the sunni/shia split. America is standing in the middle of a very old conflict.

[Kuros]

[mises]

Without getting into a long, belligerent thread, my views about religion and specifically the muslim religion are very clear. I see in their future violence, just like I see in their past much violence and in their present much violence. I expect no change until they reject their religion en masse.