Originally posted by Davo:

I don't care if the rest of the world hates us. When they lose respect for our power is when they start coming after us. The French hate us, but their respect for our power keeps them from doing anything to us.




The Iraq war did and continues to do considerable harm to the image of the US military power around the world.
What do they see ? The mighty US military went into a situation and unable to get out of it. They won't question whether the reason is that there aren't enough tanks or the commanders in charge are incapable of making a good plan to win. It doesn't matter.
After Serbia, the 1st Iraq war, and after the really spectacular Afghan campaign the US military had the image of a kind of invincibility.
This image was smashed with the pictures of ragtag insurgents victory-marching on the streets of Najaf and Fallujah after forcing the US army to leave their cities.

The Iraq war has proved that the US military power can be resisted, even without the backing of another superpower. (like in Vietnam)

Are you sure this is what you want to see ? Are you sure this is what you want the world to see ?

T.