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November 22, 2005
Give Iraq a Time for Withdrawl?
I've heard it said many times, if we give a timetable for withdrawal terrorists will just sit back and wait till we're gone, then pow! Ok, let peace take hold during this time and let the defenders get prepared, then we'll see how far the terrorists get. My guess is they won't get very far.
But, I don't believe it would be a very peaceful time. Why would terrorists sit on their IED's and AK47's while the new government grows stronger day by day? I think whether we announce a timetable for phased withdrawal or we don't we're still going to get attacked.
However, what a stated timetable does, that we're now lacking is this: (1) Serves notice to world that we do not intend to be an indefinite occupation force in Iraq and this would neutralize much of the leftist criticism leveled at Bush and America. It's kinda hard to say it was all about oil while we are exiting without the oil! Instead, it adds to our credibility and our long stated goals. (2) A timed withdrawal forces Iraqi's to step-up in their own defense, because they see a time approaching when the country will be either in their hands or the terrorists. The consequences of losing are too severe to be even remotely acceptable by the majority of Iraqi's, which makes our timetable a goal that must be met! (3) A phased withdrawal under a stated timetable greatly reduces many of the key reasons for terrorist acts and recruitment and would no doubt slow down terrorist bombings and save lives. (4) Timing our exit would also improve coalition cooperation because they can see a clearly defined, limited objective, unlike now. (5) Terrorist acts that delay our withdrawal would not be popular with their current support base, nor anywhere else and public opinion would tend to shift our way.
There must come a time when the Iraqi's are either going to stand up for democratic reforms or turn to some form of Islamic theocracy, that's just a given. If Iraqi's haven't found the reasons for democracy after 5-6 years of American help, probably no amount of time may be enough.
I honestly didn't know that as I was writing this story that the 3 major Iraqi coalitions came together to request the United States give them a specific time for departure. One of the factions felt this should begin as early as next year. Pretty much validates what I was saying.
Posted by Post Scripts at November 22, 2005 08:14 AM
Comments
Excellent analysis, Jack. Spot on, except you forgot to mention that Republicans face landslide losses in the House and Senate in the 2006 off-election if they don't start getting the troops home in the spring or summer.
I predict they'll be declaring "victory" any day now.
Posted by: Drzal at November 23, 2005 11:23 AM