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Is the Iraq War Lost?

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Yes The troubles of Iraq are rooted in its ethnic and sectarian geography, its intolerant and authoritarian political culture and the futility of trying to accelerate democratization at gunpoint. The bravery and sacrifices of U.S. troops can, at best, delay some of the unfortunate consequences of a mistaken expedition.

-- Paul R. Pillar, former deputy chief, CIA Counterterrorist Center

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Not yet Some people will say the Yankees have lost if they're down in the eighth inning. They'll get in their cars and leave. But some people will stay until the last pitch. It's not lost until we collectively decide it's lost. The question is, how much are you willing to pay?

-- Paul Rieckhoff, Army platoon leader in Baghdad, 2003-04

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Yes We persist in applying a conventional military mindset to an unconventional war. The "surge" is more of the same. Until we change our approach and reduce our big footprint, Iraq's future is as bleak as Iraq's present.

-- Bruce Hoffman, Georgetown University; adviser, Iraq Study Group

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