Two sides to every story

I received a link from Tobias, a good friend despite his suspicious political affiliations (liberal, supports McCain in the US and Moderaterna in Sweden), perhaps because we share a passion for calling each other out for being the reason the world is an imperfect place, and sometimes rarely agreeing on certain things. A good argument can really raise your pulse and get you thinking - or can cause headache and loss of happiness - and sometimes all at once.



Our current disagreement revolves around the war on Iraq. I have gone from carefully optimistic to profoundly skeptical about the Iraqi war and have few illusions that anything good will happen to Iraq in the next 10 years or so. Tobias is more optimistic and points to current signs of improvement in the security situation. I know that skepticism for the future don't earn you points because something bad is ALWAYS likely to happen, I'm pretty sure that Iraq is currently too traumatised and fractured to pick itself up - in one piece at least.

Two articles, one sent in by Tobias and one by me, regarding the current strategy of US soldiers to create a new branch of security (Al Sahwa) mostly composed of Sunnis. The two perspectives are quite different, and I encourage you to read both; it's always a good idea to read an article you agree with and one you don't - you'll be more confused but probably a better person for it.

Perspective 1:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120787343563306609.html?mod=opinion_main_commentaries

Perspective 2:
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/18722376/the_myth_of_the_surge/print