Withdrawal Symptoms
By AndrewHyman Posted in National Security — Comments (4) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Sounds like Iraq is asking the U.S. for a timetable for a US troop withdrawal. This is good news, at least partly. It reflects the fact that security has improved in Iraq, that the government there is stronger and becoming assertive, and that the U.S. may soon be able to reduce the huge effort we’ve been making there.
On the other hand, setting a strict timetable for withdrawal does not take into account events on the ground that may develop in the future. If a withdrawal starts, and security then deteriorates, it would make no sense to require the withdrawal to proceed robotically.
Instead of a timetable, how about simply giving the Iraqi government authority to reduce the number of U.S. troops by 50% during 2009, by 50% in 2010, et cetera? The Iraqi government wouldn’t have to use that power, but could if conditions warrant.
Just my two cents.
----------------------
Dependence is Slavery.
Political Compass
Economic Left/Right: 7.12
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: 1.85
Iraq is going so well that it isn't unlikely we could set a timetable to get a bulk of troops out of there before the elections! I mean an agreement, not actual massive troop withdrawls. That would very neatly undermine Obama's main point in his entire position on Iraq.
That would throw a wrench in the democratic machine.
It was always up to the Iraqi government to ask us to leave. Something the Democrats never understood (for whatever reason). If the Iraqi government believes it and its military can provide the necessary protection, then it's time to let them. Time for them to act without the safety net.
This doesn't mean the Iraqi's can't ask for American assistance if events on the ground dictate such. Otherwise, it's time they go it alone. And that's a good thing. It's the type of decision a Democratic and free people should be making for themselves.
and very different from the timetable that would have been set by our politicians. This timetable is truly the Iraqi government's way of stating it's independence and willingness to defend itself.
So much for empire, eh?
McCain for POTUS so the left can't ruin SCOTUS.