Advantages and Disadvantages of Counter-Concepts in Iraq:

Isolationism is one counter-concept that is often suggested as a solution to the challenges currently had in Iraq. With isolationism, policy centers on non-intervention, militarily, politically, and economically. The advantage of this policy would be that Americans would no longer be on Iraqi soil and therefore no longer in danger. However, the disadvantages are numerous and include: the possibility of a rise of another Hussein-esque dictator, the support of terrorism within the country that could attack the U.S., and another unstable country in the midst of the primary supplier of global oil that the U.S. relies upon.

Henry Kissinger proposed the "return to realism" concept of foreign policy, specifically in the Middle East. This concept is based on a "carrots-and-sticks" approach where there are negative consequences for those who work against American goals, but great rewards for those who cooperate. In this way, the concept hopes to empower moderates and marginalize radicals (Leverett). The advantage of this policy uses positive motivation to promote change, while limiting physical force. However, the disadvantage lies in the inefficiency of such a concept in such a disjointed nation as Iraq, where find the correct carrots for each of the plethora of players would be difficult, at best.

Lastly, "soft power" is a third policy advocated by those against the Neoconservative polices being utilized in Iraq.

Soft power does away with carrots and with sticks, but instead focuses on getting the other party to want what America wants (Nye). In the case of Iraq, this could result in a lower cost...

However, the multi-faceted society in Iraq, combined with a history of oppression, makes the use of this policy difficult, and would not see change affected quickly.
Conclusion:

In the end, the war in Iraq is a complicated matter. There are advantages and disadvantages to every possible policy that has been implemented or has been considered for implementation. Regretfully, there is no magic genie that will, with the wave of a hand, set the country on a course of prosperity and happiness. Freedom and democracy, just as occurred in America more than 200 years earlier, must be hard fought to be eventually won.

References

Daalder, I. & Lindsay, J. "Unilateralism Disgraced." The American Prospective. (1 Oct 2003). December 11, 2006 http://www.prospect.org/print/V14/9/daalder-i.html.

Iraq Liberation Act of 1998. 27 Jan 1998. Library of Congress. December 11, 2006 http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z-c105:H.R.4655.ENR:.

Leverett, F. Illusion and Reality. 12 Sept 2006. The American Prospect. December 11, 2006 http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewPrint&articleId=11859.

Neoconservatism. 8 Dec 2006. Wikipedia.org. December 11, 2006 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoconservatism.

Nye, J. Propaganda Isn't the Way: Soft Power. 10 Jan 2003. Harvard University. December 11, 2006 http://www.ksg.harvard.edu/news/opeds/2003/nye_soft_power_iht_011003.htm.

Robinson, W. Militarism: What to Expect from U.S. 'Democracy Promotion' in Iraq. 1 Jul 2004. Focus on the Global South. December 11, 2006 http://www.focusweb.org/main/html/Article360.html.