Comments on: Pay More Than Lip Service To Diplomacy

Bob Schieffer Reminds The U.S. That There Is No Military Solution In Iraq

[alanrobisch]

Mr Schiefer you are right but I fear we are in a world where alliances are hard to come by and are not enduring. The UN is unable to enforce its own mandates. We entered the conflict in Iraq because of the attempt by Iraq to control the middle east. Patience may have been a better idea in the instance of invading Iraq. I think it represents 20-20 hind sight to be as critical of what has happenned as most americans are currently and the democratic party virtually in toto. I was just watching a civil war documentary about sherman's march. In March 1864 Lincoln had serious reasons to believe that he would not be re-elected and that this was because as usual with the rare exception of WW2 the US public seems to lack perserverance in the face of difficulty during a war. While hundred of thousands were being killed in Europe Roosevelt had to promise no involvement in the war and took impeachable actions so we could prevent England from falling. We as a Americans are extremely short sighted both prospectively and have virtually no historical sense. If it its not working now lets get out no matter the consequences. Please note at the point Truman left office only had 22% of the public behind because we were in a much more brutal and deadly war and we were not winning. He is now widely respected as a president.

[socrates392]

"It's just a fact which makes me wonder, even at this eleventh hour, shouldn't that be the focus of our Iraq policy? Bringing together a broad coalition of western nations and Iraq's neighbors to contain the war and pressure its warring factions to settle their differences?"

As usual, Bob nails it! Great opinion piece, Bob! I just wish you would go back to anchoring the evening news. It hasn't been the same since you left!

The Iraq disaster was fought alone because our leader refused to listen to world opinion which said stay out of Iraq...it is a mistake. Mr. Schieffer offers very good advice and I hope that Bush will finally see the light...but I doubt it@!

[feelfree1]

Re: "I had breakfast the other day with the ambassador from one of America's strongest and closest allies."

I hope that it he was not from the crappy, failing, rogue-terror-welfare-State of Israel. They obviously are not in a position to offer any credible advice to anyone.

Re: "It's just a fact which makes me wonder, even at this eleventh hour, shouldn't that be the focus of our Iraq policy? Bringing together a broad coalition of western nations and Iraq's neighbors to contain the war and pressure its warring factions to settle their differences?"

Absolutely not. Our focus should be on ending the self-defeating and illegal fraud-based war of aggresion against Iraq, bringing the Bush regime and collaborators before a war crimes tribunal, and establishing a reparations fund for the Iraqi, Afghan, and American victims of the illegitimate and mass-murderous Bush cabal!

[diplomacy3]

The article ignores the most important change that's taking place - the Chinese and Russian military and economic boom that's eclipsing the US influence in the Middle East and elsewhere. This could ultimately turn into a greater alliance drawing indigenous nuclear and non-nuclear powers to its fold. Let us see how long our current skeletal alliance in Iraq and Afghanistan survive.

[xzavierbrown]

*******That is more than opinion. It's just a fact which makes me wonder, even at this eleventh hour, shouldn't that be the focus of our Iraq policy? Bringing together a broad coalition of western nations and Iraq's neighbors to contain the war and pressure its warring factions to settle their differences?*******

the fact is that the UN is more corrupt than Enron..the EU is perhaps the most divided union..and Middle Eastern nations i.e. Lebanon and Syria, Iran and Iraq are all after each other's neck and assets..ALL ARE FIGHTING FOR THIER OWN PERSONAL AGENDAS..
your opinion would work if we can find somebody to work with..till then we must fight our wars alone.

[stl-mo-usa]

Mr. Schieffer,

Great Article !!!

Also on this Memorial Day ,let our troops know we support them, send e-mails to our men & women. I do not have any family members serving but do know that the fine men & women fighting appreciate those " letters" --even from a stranger like myself. I've been sending e-mails & yes, our fine Heros read them & do respond if they can !!
God Bless & Keep them safe.