Do you think that continuous talk of withdrawal from Iraq weakens our alliances?

Question

Bill Clinton Backs Wife's Withdrawal Plan Demand
Share July 21, 2007 7:54 PM

ABC News' Kate Snow reports: Traveling in Africa on Saturday, former President Bill Clinton fired a shot at the Pentagon. Clinton said Undersecretary Eric Edelman was "wrong" to send a letter to his wife, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., criticizing her request for a briefing from Pentagon officials about military plans for a future withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

In a letter to Sen. Clinton, Edelman wrote, "Premature and public discussion of the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq reinforces enemy propaganda that the United States will abandon its allies."

"I think it's wrong to politicize national security," he said.

Answer 1

Of course it does. How would we feel if all of our allies pulled out leaving us holding the bag?

Answer 2

Consider all aspects of the request.

Sen. Clinton is a US Senator, with security clearance, who sits on the Armed Services Committee. And she was asking about estimated time requirements, costs and estimated casualties before making a vote on the issue. In other words, she was trying to make an informed decision -- which is what I would expect from any Senator.

And it's amazing that none of the Republican Senators who have asked for the same information were given that response.

Maybe it has to do with the fact that Hillary voted against Senate confirmation of the person who wrote that letter, while the Republicans who asked for the same information had voted for confirmation of Edelman. So, how much is double standards prompted by personal and political animosity?

Answer 3

Actually, I think the opposite is true and that our allies (hopefully) will see talks of withdrawal from Iraq as an indication that the US is finally coming to its senses. Many of our allies, and the world at large, have not been pleased with the way this administration has handled itself with regard to Iraq and other issues. To name a few:
-- A few months prior to the US invasion of Iraq, Bush pulled us out of the World Court (the IJC actually).
-- The UN accepted and extended Bush's request for US immunity to war crimes, the third time they said 'NO'
-- The US refused to sign the Kyoto Protocol (OBE now) and refused to agree to emissions reductions at the June 07 G8 Summit

According to the Global Peace Index, the US ranks 96th, between Yemen and Iran, out of 121 countries. Iraq is 121. Furthermore the world sees the US as a bigger threat than Iran's nuclear program . The world does not see America as a peaceful and benevolent nation anymore, and it didn't start last week or last month or even last year... WAKE UP!!!

Answer 4

It weakens our ability to succeed in Iraq. Iraqis do not want to be on the wrong side of who succeeds in Iraq. If we pull out now terrorists will succeed and Iraqis know they will pay a heavy price as did the Shites after the first gulf war. By not supporting the war you ensure we will be there longer.

Folks get behind the war so Iraqis can get in front of us so we can come home and hopefully leave behind a peaceful country that starts to show Middle Eastern citizens they can be prosperous, tolerant and free in their home lands. What an incredible accomplishment that would be for the whole world, more important and monumental then putting a person on the moon given the Middle East's tumultuous history.

Answer 5

of course it does. it could do nothing else. Clinton made the response to her previous letter to the pentagon public to politicize it and her stance.

he was right on. if Hillary had been give an agenda, she would have immediately 'leaked' it and embolden our enemies

this has had a direct effect on those who are trying to help, against great odds. it serves no purpose but her political agenda.

Answer 6

no, I think withdrawing from iraq will greatly help us. other have castigated us for our rash decision to invade, we can start winning back some respect by leaving. it will also ease tensions on the home front

bill is right- it's wrong to politicize national security

Answer 7

We do not have many allies left. What it really does is show the terrorists they are winning the propaganda war.

Answer 8

Edelman is correct. What Clinton is doing is traitorous.

Answer 9

i would say the bungling of the cheney/bush administration has weakened most of our alliances already...i can't think of a single ally that we have that has the resources or power to help us out...

Answer 10

No, we lost traditional allies such as France due to the Iraq war and have gained more enemies than allies during this period. Look at how much credibility Blair lost in England, some of that relates to the unilateral US support that he provided.