Why do they say a time table will harm the troops, and embolden the Iraqis?

Question

Not looking for politics, just want understanding of why this would affect war strategy.

I understand the "terrorists" will lay low until we leave, and then try to destroy the current government, but that wouldn't be a big problem for the U.U. Look at Somali, they're an Islamic anarchy and really have caused much of a problem to the western world.

Answer 1

I think its because for one the soldiers will be moving targets, I was there back in 03 and the convoys out were about the hardest part. You might have 35 to 50 vehicles in a straight line going down the road. In most cases the Iraqi people know our movements anyway because people talk including soldiers. If the terrorist know when we're leaving then it could be hard for us to get out. There's going to be accidents, there's going to be break downs during these convoys. Or because the terrorist could wait until and we're gone and take over the areas we left behind. Then things will be way worse because there's no Saddam to scare them in to obedience

Answer 2

Some are saying it because it's what they heard, and it's a good way to avoid having to actually discuss the issue. Just rant about "emboldening terrorists" and no logic is required.

The others asserting the postion are doing so based on their own version of logic, which depends on several assumptions. First, they assume that our troops being home is bad. Next, they assume that our use of military force can somehow suppress several centuries of sectarian violence any time soon. And they assume that it is our sole responsibility to ensure that Iraq adopt of form of govt that we think is best.

If we grant all of those assumptions, then the logic is that a time-table would cause the insurgents to lay low until we're gone. But if that's true, then we and the new Iraqi govt would have 18 months without any serious challenge (or loss of life) to stabilize things. Which seems like a good idea.

If we grant all of those assumptions, then the logic is that after we leave, the violence will just flare up again. But that's true whether we leave in a month, or a year, or in a decade. We have centuries of evidence to support that conclusion -- there is no likely end to the violence there any time soon.

And even if we grant all of those assumptions, it still says nothing about all the other terrorists all over the world, who aren't involved in the Iraq conflict. And who are laughing gleefully as American forces are crippled by an endless occupation which accomplishes very little.

Answer 3

That's exactly what we should do. Put a timetable for like next Tuesday. Pull out give the Iraqis a chance. Because right now we're fighting blind. If we leave them alone and let them police themselves the enemy will emerge. When that happens we can attack again. We can't win a war against an enemy we can't see. We need the enemy to be visible. If we leave they'll feel it's safe to come out. If they don't guess what, we won't have to worry about them. Regardless we'll stop losing American lives over some bullshit 13 timezones away.

Answer 4

It wouldnt harm the troops, it would harm the Iraqi's.

Look at it this way.
If you were going to rob a bank, and there was a cop standing infront of the bank, wouldnt you just wait for the cop to leave?

The people who want to have power in Iraq would simply wait until we left if there was a set time table, then that whole area would become a blood bath. Right now they are trying to get us to leave for that reason, they know that they have a much higher chance of gaining power in Iraq should the US leave.

There are several factions within Iraq that want to get power.

Answer 5

If the US announces it's intentions of leaving by a certain date, the enemy will just lay back and wait until they leave. Once they are gone, they will sweep in and take the government down, after that Iran will have complete control of Iraq and it's people !

They will also continue to swipe at our guys who will probably lighten up on their mission, knowing it's a no win situation ! The American people can thank the evil Congress the liberals let slither in, if this comes to pass, although I believe that GWB will continue the good fight as long as his power as president is in place !

Answer 6

If you were a terrorist and knew the US was going to pull out in 12 months you would think you had won and begin to plan something else, like consolidating the area you control.

Why they haven't done that yet beggars belief.
It they had the US troops would have been home by now and a fully Arab/Persian war would be raging there

Answer 7

First of all, if I hear President Bush or any other government official use the word "embolden," I'm gonna puke...and I'm a conservative!

Setting a specific date to pull out the troops is akin to informing an enemy "we will be attacking you in two weeks." Basically, it gives the enemy a chance to prepare and anticipate a change in power.

Realistically though, the U.S. is going to be in the middle east for years, well past the Bush presidency. We are too entrenched there to just up and leave.

Answer 8

If you knew the other team will quit playing at the 2 qtr, all you have to do is wait and beat them in the 3 and 4th qtr. In this case Iran/Syria will begin occupation of Iraq, if you like paying $3.45 a gallon for gas, you'll love paying $4.00 to $5.00 a gallon. Or what about a major increase of newly trained terrorist blowing up places in the USA, Spain, Italy, England, etc........................ get it yet?

Answer 9

Check out what the Time Table did in Viet Nam.
Millions died. Over a million just in Cambodia.
The Democrats pushing for the Time Table want us to lose, just like they did in Nam.
Democrats don't care how many people die, if it will help them in the 2008 election.

Answer 10

I am completely against this war. That said....lets look at the scenario....we declare war, topple their cities, bring chaos, set them on the path to Civil War and then we have the balls to say "We just can't handle this Civil War crap, we're outta here". We leave them to be slaughtered....

Now they'll hate us even more and who will blame them? We've made mortal enemy's out of whole new generations instead of using our head and calling together all the superpowers to work together to wipe out terrorism...yipee ki yeah, good work little cowboys in Washington D.C.