| Regardless of one's opinion as to the propriety or legality of the war in Iraq, major changes have ensued.
A new government is establishing itself. A constitution has been adopted. A police and military force is being established. A populace is seeking normality and stability.
Forces dedicated to denying the normality and stability sought by the populace by way of the government they elected and helped to establish are engaging in terrorist attacks against the populace, aided and lead by foreign entities with Al-Qaeda ties.
To withdraw our troops from Iraq prior to the establishment of Iraqi forces capable of countering these forces would be an unwise course of action. Not only would it leave the elected Iraqi government in a precarious position, the probable outcome of which would be dissolution as chaos reigns, it would leave the people of Iraq open to the ravages of these enemies of the state. I find either of those outcomes to be a foolish path to follow.
Naturally, that precludes defined dates for withdrawal. Any attempt to establish a date by which time some action must be taken is folly. |