Sanger: Korean Model

I think Sanger was quite right when he pointed out the major distinction that exists between US-Korean relations and the state of Iraq currently. Ever since South Korea was established they have had positive relations with the United States, and it was the Koreans who requested further help during the Korean War. This was obviously not the case in Iraq. Since the Korean War both nations have viewed the US presence as mutually beneficial, the Koreans viewing it as necessary for their security and the US as important to containing communism. In Iraq on the other hand, the US appreciates the strategic position of Iraq but for the most part Iraqis do not see the benefits of the US presence. The entire nature of the threats is different in Iraq compared to Korea. Korea was threatened by primarily external threats while in Iraq the threats are internal. I think that it is delusional to compare the history of the US-Korean relationship to that of Iraq.

On the other hand I also think that the situation in Iraq is not equal as Sanger suggest to that of the US and Vietnam. While in both conflicts there were internal threats to the US occupation, in Vietnam it was one people two states, while Iraq has a very heterogeneous population in one state. I think it is difficult to compare the situation Iraq with any past US involvement. And doing so increases the misunderstandings about the conflict.

I find it interesting that he mentions that status of forces agreements are usually made on an executive level basis and that is why congress need no vote on it, but in Iraq the status of forces agreement had to be ratified by not only the cabinet but also the Iraqi Parliament.