Withdrawing our troops from Iraq? Do you agree the quick extraction will be okay?

Question

New democrat congress suggested the new time table for getting out of Iraq. I was told, it is pretty much evacuating the allied troops very soon.

But according to today's news, Top U.S. army general in the mid east, John Abizaid, disagrees with it.

He instead emphathized on strengthening Iraqi government on standing up its own feet.

Abizaid's argument was that if we leave right now, there will be worse violence and chaos.


So, it looks like we can not get out Iraq anytime soon. And this will suck up our nation's energy, money, human resources, and in my opinion, this prolonged Iraq occupation will cause the U.S. to lag behind its internal development (ex: catching up the technology, funding the school systems, building more hospitals, helping out the disadventaged, etc.) to the other rising countries like China, etc.

What is your idea on how long will the U.S. stay in Iraq, and what needs to be done to ready for the U.S. leave?

I want to hear your strategy.

Wow. This war is alot like what we faced on the Vietnam war back in '60. We just stepped on the deepest swamp in the history.

Did you know that Bob Woodward, a Pulliture winning freelancer who recently wrote a book called "State of denial", which anatomizing Bush administration's mistakes, says Bush frequently gets consultation with Henry Kissinger, a Vietman-era defense secretary under Nixon government.

It speaks for itself.

By the way, I think the Iraq was is worse than the Vietnam.

The military casualty is smaller, but the de-stabilization of the region is worse. In Vietnam, just getting out of there was okay, but in Iraq, it is far more complicated.

Answer 1

We should withdraw them as soon as possible. I know that many people want a phased withdrawal lasting something like 18-24 months. Abizaid also warns against a quick pullout. Here is the bottom line: if we left a year ago there would be a civil war, if we leave tomorrow there will be a civil war, if we leave in a year there will be a civil war. When we leave there will be massive bloodshed, no way to avoid it. There is really no point now in risking more American lives when the outcome is certain.

Answer 2

This is One Democrat who believes we cannot just leave. A different direction is needed but to just pull out completely, is a mistake.

Though I was against the invasion of Iraq, The USA is there now and it must make sure that Iraq is stabilized before it can even consider leaving.

It will make the terrorist organizations think that they can continue the killing of innocent people because The USA will eventually leave them alone.

That is something The USA cannot allow to happen!

Pulling the troops out now will be an insult to all the American Soldiers who have lost their lives.

Though quite a few of my fellow Democrats would disagree with me, the fallen troops would have fallen for nothing if The USA just "cuts and Runs"!

I know it's hard to keep hearing about our Soldiers losing their lives but in the long run, I believe even more lives will be saved.

I am Army Reserve -retired so I know how it would feel if the Military was told... they have to leave something unfinished.

Answer 3

We have to give it several more months, but in my opinion it is a useless exercise to try to get the Iraquis to stand on their own. They don't know what democracy is nor do they want it. They have always been led by the nose and this is the only rule they know. I also feel that the so-called president of Iraq is in league with the fruitcake president of Iran and there is nothing we can do about it. If we leave Iraq (and it should be within 6 months or perhaps slightly less) there will be a civil war between the Sunnies and Shiites. So what? This war has been going on for years. I am much more concerned about the Kurds who are living peaceful and productive lives in Iraq. What happens to them if we leave and the people in the middle and southern part of Iraq kill each other? Will the Kurds be threatened? As soon as we pull out of Iraq count on Iran to move in and take over. This is a fact! Iran wants to become the leader in the middle east and this would be their first move to power. Syria and Egypt would allow it because what could they do? America is in the middle of a very difficult situation and should get out but pledge to support Israel if a war breaks out. Iran will be after us next so we must fight them over there. The USA does not have enough troops at this time so Congress may have to evoke a draft to build our military forces so we can fight successfully when the time comes.....and it IS coming.

Answer 4

"funding schools,building hospitals,helping out the...."
are all nice ideas BUT the US government is faced with a "WAR on TERROR"
You might not feel that irrational fanatics with a declared intent to harm/destroy the US/"west" the "unbelievers", etc so that THEY can restore the world into THEIR vision / rule/ religious beliefs is a REAL threat to your safety ..but I do!
-I dont think the USA can afford to ignore enemies gathering at the gate simply because some "people" want to provide "help" /services"
to groups of our population who think that the government is responsible for and must "fix/give help" them overcome their problems,..
BESIDES ,throwing $$ at schools does not change a students ability or his desire to learn..
There is no "constitutional right" to free medical care, or government housing or a ""job"" or even a standardized wage...

All the amenity/service programs /etc really wont matter much if the next generation's survival will depend on whether we can deter the growing desire by terrorists and their supporters (many other countries looking to profit from our demise)
Iraq is a possible stopgap if the country can stop their infighting and focus on retaining their identity,their land and their resources.
Democracy is their best hope and ours

Answer 5

I do believe you will see things differently if you saw or hear of the program presented by CNN on 11/15. You will better understand what Bush is having to contend with and why it is so important to maintain what is taking place in Iraq.

You must also know that CNN has never been kind to Bush nor the war in Iraq.. this program throws all that negativism out the window. It reports the world situation as seen by the president of Iran.

Answer 6

Well if we pull out that whole region will erupt. Iran is pulling the puppet strings right now with AlSadr and his little shia milita,who the Prime Minister is too afraid to stand up to because of the political implications for himself. For some reason our Government wants to fight these wars with handcuffs on. Someone needs to put some heat on Almaliki and tell him "We're tired of spilling blood for you if you want freedom you need to take the lead and put whats wrong and right above some 1000 year old battle over whos relative is the descendent of Mohammed". We cant make them fight, but if we are truly there to stop Islamo-Fascism then we need to fight not play this little B.S. game. To win a war according to Sun-Tzu " One must overcome his opponent with great power and to shock his opponent untill his will to fight is gone" There has been nothing this country couldnt do, but we need someone with some conviction and some courage to forget about getting re-elected and tell the Iraqis." Get your country under controll because if your not in this to win your freedom,were are leaving and you can deal with the bloodbath". Im not a Bush cheerleader by no means. You can debate the cause for war all day, but the truth is we are there and if we pull out now all your doing is telling these lunatics that if you fill enough body bags with American troops they will lose thier will to fight. You start what you finish and you do it right. That has been an American Value for over 200 years.

Answer 7

My take on Iraq is this: We went in based on misinformation (or lies whatever you prefer) but now that we're there, a quick and thoughtless withdrawal is simply not the best course for us or that region. If the government isn't somewhat stable and able to care for itself, then we risk a dictator similar to Sadaam coming back to power someday in the near future.

I also don't think Bush's open-ended plan of staying with no real plan for withdrawal was very good. I equate this to project management in a company. Set a time-table (goal) and work hard at achieving it. If you absolutely must nudge it, do so, but the mere setting of such a date (existence of a plan) tends to ensure that the project gets done. Leaving it open-ended means it's ambiguous and could go on forever.

From what I've heard the democrats say, they want to revise the strategy for a phased withdrawal with certain goals in mind. They haven't said "Okay, quick, pull out now!" So I'm optimistic that we can leave behind a stable government and still get our troops home as soon as possible without making a worse mess.

Answer 8

I tend to agree with Gray Theor..., with the addition of two words....Viet Nam. By withdrawing before the job was finished, we un-did everything we had done for the last 25 (or however many it was) years. This minimized the sacrifices our boys had made, and the country in general lost respect for the military. All those protests and sit-ins were mostly mistakenly directed toward our servicemen, not the politicians and officials who should have taken the heat. Would you believe our guys used to get spit on when they came home? We CANNOT allow that kind of behavior again, but many Americans confuse the blame when things don't go the way they think they should.

Answer 9

Violence and chaos will happen either you're there or not, now that you managed to create a civil war over there. Frankly, I don't think the presence of US troops helps peace in Iraq. It does help the government of course, but that makes many people in Iraq angrier. Whenever you leave, in 2 days or in 20 years, violence will occur, but eventually there will be some sort of reconciliation. So the sooner the better. After all, leave them alone! Would you like a foreign force to occupy the US in order to help with the problems of criminal violence? Stop pretending you are in Iraq for their own good!

Answer 10

Think about billions of dollars wasted on a daily basis. It's normal that generals oppose Iraq withdrawal. The main question is what will happen to all those murderers when they get back home? If only half of daily chaos in Iraq can be attributed to ex-army members, then think about the disaster US will be facing from organized crime to casual manslaughter.