IRAQ, TOTAL QUAGMIRE! General says bombing ineffective

On Monday, a top Pentagon official, Army Lieutenant General William Mayville, said the U.S. strikes are unlikely to have a major impact on the overall capacity of the Islamic State.

U.S. airstrikes in northern Iraq have slowed ISIL’s operational tempo and temporarily disrupted their advances toward the province of Erbil. However, these strikes are unlikely to affect ISIL’s overall capabilities… I in no way want to suggest that we have effectively contained or that we are somehow breaking the momentum of the threat posed by ISIL. …There are no plans to expand the current air campaign.

Are there any doubts that nation building in Iraq has led to a total quagmire?

Today’s broadcast from Democracy Now! covers the above statement from Lt. General Mayville and includes an interview with Glenn Greenwald. It goes without saying that Democracy Now is a far left (basically socialist) news source, however their coverage of civil liberties and foreign policy issues provides a needed resource. [Audio] if the video doesn’t work.

Click the audio link above if the video won’t display.

Historical note…Just War Doctrine:

• The damage inflicted by the aggressor on the nation or community of nations must be lasting, grave, and certain.
• All other means of putting an end to it must have been shown to be impractical or ineffective;
• There must be serious prospects of success;
• The use of arms must not produce evils and disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated (the power of modern means of destruction weighs very heavily in evaluating this condition).

How does bombing Iraq fit in with any of these goals?