New Zealand troops left for the first leg of their journey to Iraq on Tuesday.

As New Zealand troops embark on their deployment to Iraq, former military man Gerald Pringle shares his views on their mission in light of his own experience serving in the Middle East.

My views are based on the following: I am ex-military, I was an "instructor" in the Saudi military for two years, and I have over 20 years experience in the Middle East, including three years in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Based on my experience, I hold that our involvement is an exercise in futility.

This is a sectarian war between the two factions of Islam and it has been going on for 14 centuries.

Our involvement, on the side of Iraq, will be viewed by the Sunnis as an act against them.

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To suggest that we will not invite attention from Sunnis is totally naive. At best, we will be considered supporters of the Shia and, at worst, a legitimate target.

To suggest that out-training of the Iraqis will be an asset to the overall security in the region is simply not likely.

I regard our men and women in uniform with great pride and think that to put them into this religious war, is going to solve nothing - and probably invite more trouble than we need or have at this point in time.

It is not worth wasting our men and women in a situation that is not of our making, and beyond our ability to resolve.

Religious wars are devoid of logic. It amazes me that our politicians can conclude we will be able to offer a solution to these regional problems.

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