Reply #11: of course, we want out troops out safely, KharmaTrain

[bigtree]

But the idea that there's something that our forces can do to prevent the violent struggle for power in Iraq belies the violence that our own forces generate and commit in the effort to sustain the present regime in power and authority. There isn't going to be a defining moment where we can be certain that some militarized force in the future won't upbraid all of the nation-building we've committed behind the sacrifices of the almost 5000 of our US force killed there.

The entire episode illustrates the utter madness behind the premise of the original invasion; that our troops were somehow 'liberating' the Iraqis in some unified way which would bring the country together as a democracy. It would have been better for everyone there and elsewhere if we had managed our regime-change efforts without troops on the ground. The original invasion was the fault line in Iraq. We've seen the earthquakes of uprisings from the factions and tribes kept apart by the dominating influence of Saddam. Now, comes the aftershocks and instability we've fostered and fueled. There isn't any credible or effective way our aggravating forces can mitigate or suppress those impulses indefinitely.

More ridiculous, now we'll have to bend to allow regional nations, like our nemesis Iran, to assume responsibility for much of the 'security' and control of the resistant forces which will move to take advantage of the power vacuum after we leave.

I would have been more supportive of this administration's disengagement effort if they'd stop posturing as if our forces were just closing some loose ends, rather than just holding our collective fingers in the holes in the dike as most everyone else admits. The more they cling to their ridiculous notion that our forces are helping Iraq, the more their denial and delusion persists in their reasons for remaining longer. I'd appreciate the truth about our involvement there. I think most Americans would settle for a chagrined exit, as well, rather than this posturing as if we're the protectors and guardians of stability in Iraq. We're just another oppressive regime of intimidation and self-interest in Iraq. We'll be the lucky ones, leaving with whatever we can manage to hold together.