Emmanuel Gustin wrote:

I agree that it would be wiser for to EU to invest more
in rebuilding Iraq, but on the other hand this fund amounts
to giving cash to the US administration of Iraq to spend
as it sees fit --- there are more fun ways to waste money.

I think the US made it quite clear this was not going to be the
case. Full transparency in how the money is spend, with an
outside board making the decisions. None of the money going to
support the US presence.

Seemed fair enough.

In the end, the USA is rich enough to pay for its own foreign
policy. EU aid money should go to countries that are in more
urgent need of it.

"Paying for its own foreign policy"? That's a real hoot coming
from Europe!

Anyways, I personally believe there will be more glory for the
US doing this ourselves, without significant help from anyone.

*If* this ends up well, this will be something Americans will
be very proud of looking back from 20 years, and the nay sayers
will look rather cheap.

If it the exercise fails, Europe can crow as it always does.


SMH