Bing West on Iraq (CM)

Military commentator and former assistant secretary of Defense Bing West told a House subcommittee

The President and the Congress agree about the desirability of a withdrawal of US forces; the issue is under what conditions. It makes a vast difference to our self-esteem as a nation, to our reputation around the world and to the morale of our enemies whether we say we are withdrawing because the Iraqi forces have improved or because we have given up. …

[I]f the rationale for withdrawal is because Iraq seems hopeless, then leaving behind a residual force is fraught with peril. You cannot quit, and expect to manage what happens after you quit. Iraq, if it perceives it is being abandoned, could fly apart quickly. …

[T]he rationale for withdrawal drives everything that comes thereafter. Why are we withdrawing? Is it because we as a nation have given up, concluding that full-scale civil war is inevitable; or has our military succeeded, allowing Iraqi forces to maintain stability?

I do not see a compromise "middle ground" between those two rationales.

More here.

Comments

[Mark E.]

When people start putting the outlook of the country ahead of the outlook of their party then this won't be an issue any longer. Unfortunately that won't happen and it's goin to get even uglier.