[Peace-discuss] Phyllis Bennis commentary

[Morton K. Brussel]

Phyllis Bennis, writing the UFPJ, is one of the most rational and  
perceptive commentators of US foreign policy in the Middle East. I  
won't transcribe her whole commentary, since it is long, but it is  
well worth while considering. An excerpt follows:

U.S. public opinion is more unified against the war than ever before  
- with
up to two-thirds of Americans calling for an end to the war. They are  
not
calling for what the Democrats are offering, a "better" Iraq war,  
they want
it ended. So the challenge for the anti-war movement remains how to  
build
more pressure for ending the war. The charge of "cut and run" must be  
taken
on directly. The answer is, the U.S. owes a huge debt to Iraq and  
Iraqis:
compensation, reparations, real reconstruction (in which Iraqis  
themselves
control the rebuilding).  But none of that is possible until AFTER U.S.
troops are out. Those who support "staying the course" are really  
calling
for a "make a killing" strategy. We are not saying cut and run - we  
are the
ones trying to make good on our real obligations and debt to Iraq: we  
owe
compensation - we don't owe occupation.

Two see the worthwhile rest, consult

http://www.ips-dc.org/comment/bennis/tp45iranthreats.htm