How can you call the war a success when the soldiers are being killed as they retreat?

I have seen many contradictions in military conflicts like the Iraqi information minister. At present the US administration is claiming mission accomplished but how have they won the war in Iraq? Because as they are retreating they are being killed how is this a war won?|||It was a no win war from the beginning. Winning was never in mind. The idea is to expand the budget and power of government at home while driving up the debt trillions and sliding contracts to friends and family.





Wars of defense (stopping some foreign army from invading our soil) that can be won are not as profitable as created wars, although all war gets government greater permanent powers. Wars of choice are wars that can be directed and maintained by the politicians as they feel appropriate.|||It depends on what you consider victory. It's too early to determine whether it was a success from a political standpoint. Right now the goal is a democratic government and self sustaining Iraq. It's far too early to determine whether or not that has already failed. This kind of thing just doesn't happen overnight.





From a military standpoint you can't make a good case against the Americans. Much like the disastrous Vietnam war they still managed to win every major battle.|||Obama says that the combat mission is over. Deja vu! Remember the 'Mission Accomplished' banner?





Of course, it is a retreat. They could only claim 'victory' because the Sunnis were bought over to fight their own people. That is an incontestable fact. Even the US government admits to the strategy.





When the history of Iraq is written by their own people, the Sunnis will have to bear the ignominy of mercenaries who took US silver to kill their own in order to serve a foreign invading power.





For those truculents who still insist that it was a success, do read John Simpson's analysis on the BBC website. He is one of the last few down-to-earth honest, perceptive reporters. His closing words are worth quoting here:





"Vast numbers of people have died, the overwhelming majority of them Iraqi.





"Unthinkably large amounts of money have been spent here, and yet Iraq has slipped far down the world's rich list.





"Has the United States benefited? It is hard to see how. "








http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-e鈥?/a>|||We aren't retreating...we will have 50,000 people there INDEFINITELY





We have now moved fully into the AATE..Advise, Assist, Train and Equip role which we have slowly been moving to the last 3 years.





We have been and will continue to send teams and entire units over to work with the Iraqi Army as they become more professionalized and plan and conduct larger more complex operations.





These teams %26amp; units accompany the Iraqi units they are assigned to into any and all operations.





Here are some of the things we will continue to work with the Iraqis with in the future:





1. Professionalization of their Officer corps - establishing officer training and professional education training at all levels





2. Professionalization of the NCO corps





3. Establishing and professionalizing the logistics and maintenance operations - something they NEVER had - before if it broke they just abandoned it an tried to buy a new one





4. Intelligence





The Iraqi Army (IA) has been conducting division level missions for the first time since 2003. It is a phased process. You have to build competent battalions and battalion staffs, followed by competent brigades and brigade staffs, then competent divisions and division staffs...all while building a competent national level command, staff, logistical, training and administrative infrastructure. This does not happen overnight.|||hows it a retreat? we left germany after we defeated the nazi's, is taht a retreat? the actual war in iraq ended a long time ago, the psat several years have been an occupation. and this occupation, like all occupations throughout history, has come to a close.


its a victory because we accomplished what we set out to do:


invade and take over the country


overthrow saddam


set up a democratic government


get the government and security forces in place to take care of themselves.|||This is the politicians speaking as they justify their decisions . The war in Iraq was wrong and maybe even illegal . Every time I watch as on of the brave military is brought back in a box I am so sad for those that are left behind . The wars that are being fought just now will solve nothing , and create more unrest and hate of the west|||It isn't a war won, they are just trying to save face, everyone knows it's been a complete disaster. Unfortunately the same will happen in Afghanistan-these conflicts are unwinnable and we should never have got into them. Tony Blair has a lot to answer for, I wonder if he can sleep at night?|||Yes, what a joke, but it only mirrors what the Americans did in Viet Nam. They say they are pulling out, but leaving 55000 armed troops to, as they say, advise, assist, train and educate, hardly seems like a pull out to me. It is still an occupation force.|||They spent over a trillion for seven years.


The profits made Obama, Bush, Cheyney and every Senator


wealthy beyond the dreams of 98% of Americans.


The money came right out of the US economy -


For the ruling class- SUCESS!!!





More profitable than slavery!!!|||Vietnam all over again. The good news is that, by "retreating" now, a lot of American lives will be spared. Nearly 4500 is far too many lives lost, get out now before it gets worse.|||Alright we have an Armchair General here who truly knows the difference between withdrawal and retreat.





Keep your day job, please. I hope you contribute SOMETHING to society.|||They achieved their aim - regime change. What aim do you think they had that they have not achieved?|||there are no winners in war|||hey, we got bin laden at least didn't we?





oh wait...





anyway, who said it was a success?|||WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE A POST THERE DUMBASS AND IT WILL ALWAYS BE MANNED!!!!