Dangerous policy

Risks are a cornerstone in developing a plan of action for war. However, the risks taken during war must be well thought out and calculated to guarantee success.

The United States has unfortunately made another blunder in its risk management while attempting to bring about the quick Iraqi regime change. President Bush and his advisers have unwisely placed too much trust and faith in the Iraqi people.

Although it is imperative for Iraq to be able to defend itself, questions surround the feasibility of developing an armed force using the same training techniques as those used by U.S. soldiers.

In no prior war has the development of a defeated country’s armed forces begun so vigorously mere months after their leader has been removed.

As the guerrilla attacks in Iraq roll on daily, the continuing resentment and lack of desire for U.S. presence in the country remains on display. There is absolutely no acceptable reason to train the Iraqis to fight if the United States is the primary focus of their aggression and hostility.

Most of the soldiers being trained were in Saddam Hussein’s forces or militants after his regime had ended. These two factions cannot honestly be earmarked as the trustworthiest group.

Ultimately, there will be a trained force with exactly one direction to target their resentment – the United States.

Why does Bush think the soldiers being trained will be faithful to U.S. directives? This borders on blind faith, and in war, blind faith is not an option.

Does the United States seriously believe that decades of allegiance to one military unit can be converted to another in less than 12 months?

There are too many unanswered questions about the U.S. regime change in Iraq and the development of an Iraqi army should not be the primary focus since the United States is not far enough removed from the initial conflict.

As the U.S. death toll in Iraq continues to rise, the United States must reevaluate the reasons for providing Iraqis with military training. The people of Iraq do not need new methods of attacking U.S. soldiers; especially since the guerrilla tactics of the Iraqi people have proven to be successful thus far.

Jason E. Hutchins for The Editorial Board.