The World belongs to God.The creation belongs to Him.Thereby let us keep aside all the matters which can cause hatred.
Thank you.

Ivanbawa...Now that sounds exactly like what the Jerry Falwells and Pat Robertsons would love. I*ll bet the participation by their followers would still be limited to a comfy seat in front of the big screen with a bowl of popcorn. They want working class volunteers to fuel the end-times extravaganza for them till Jesus comes.

"All this academic give and take about whether we will win or lose is so much hoo-ha...we DON*T have enough people to maintain a surge or super-surge"

Then you should invite the Israelis to participate in the surge.

It may HOT things up a bit and get the arab neighbours to have their own surges.

Things would then become more interesting.

Armeggadon maybe?

How is the US going to leave Iraq with over 10 US Bases built (no completely yet) UNDERGROUND, maybe with atomic bombs) + 1 above at the International Airport + "secret" interrogation prison (torture chambers) + 1 or 2 huge prisoners' cams with over 30.000 Iraqis (turn them over to Sunnis, Shiites, to whom?
Are you all joking? Or you all don't even know what this (Iraqi invasion) benefits the US SO MUCH as no to leave EVER?

Previously I did not believe in the draft, but hindsight being 20/20, I believe the invasion of Iraq would not have occurred if every American without exception, male and female, underprivileged and privileged had to serve for two years. I also believe that the military would be composed of a more diversified set of experiences, mores, and ethical viewpoints resulting in a more balanced American military.

I also believe that preemptive attacks in circumstances like Iraq where sanctions and no-fly zones make a country a non-threat should never, ever be allowed again. Therefore, no Congress should ever give a President such a broad undefined perogative to initiate war as he or she pleases. The current Congress should repeal the act that gave Bush the right to invade Iraq so that no precedent remains on the books for some future wayward thinking President.

How can either side really ever talk about America leaving Iraq when to my understanding we are establishing huge military bases? Does it really make sense to be establishing military bases in a country we say we do not intend to occupy?

Even if it is given a more politically correct wording, bases established on foreign soil will be perceived by most as a continuing occupation.

If we could all just agree that just as the horse and buggy era was replaced by the internal combustion engine automobile, the ICE automobile needs to be replaced by the electric automobile.

Once we come to this conclusion and realize that ethanol and hydrogen fuel cells are the more complex and least efficient solutions to powering our transportation we are left with only one solution, battery powered electric cars.

Battery powered electric cars do not require a hydrogen fuel infrastructure. An infrastructure that is neither efficient or practical. Battery powered electric cars do not require an ethanol infrastructure. An infrastructure that requires an agricultural perversion by promoting a crop (corn) that sucks the life blood out of the land which can only be replaced by huge amounts of chemical fertilizers being dumped into the earth. Further, the energy needed to produce ethanol far exceeds the energy needed to charge battery powered electric cars. Ethanol is a crop, and as such is a commodity subject to the winds of speculation, no different than that of the oil industry today. Therefore there is no inherent pricing stability, actually there is only the guarantee of instability. Even worse, ethanol production for our vehicles will make a crop that much of the world depends on for nutrition too expensive adding to the malnutrition of the world's population.

The power plants of today churn throughout the night producing electric that is not needed by a sleeping nation, the amount of available energy is said to be sufficient to charge 80% of the nations vehicles, if they were electric that is, without expending any more resources. The power is there, ready to be tapped without extra cost, without extra pollution. Those for oil, those for ethanol and hydrogen fuel do not want you to have electric cars. Even the auto industry does not like electric vehicles since they require far fewer parts and require nearly no maintenance. Electric cars are the answer to our environmental crisis as it relates to transportation. Only the greedy and unethical will try to substitute an inferior solution to the electric car. Don't let them pull the wool over your eyes. Demand an efficient electric car to end this nation's dependency on oil, and to guarantee your children, and your children's children a cleaner healthier earth. And let's end this nation's need to invade other countries for the sake of oil and the profits of those who control it without regard for the suffering and loss of life it causes throughout the world.

All this academic give and take about whether we will win or lose is so much hoo-ha...we DON*T have enough people to maintain a surge or super-surge....chickenhawks and end-times preachers...put your money and/or your loved ones the table or shut up.

Any justufication or excuse to keep US forces in Iraq any longer is nonsense.
Invasion of Iraq has devastated the country,killed about 650,000 Iraqis,no electricity,no hospitals,no schhols,no universities,no security,depleted uranium pollution etc.
I doubt very much there would be a worse situation than what it is now if US forces get off the backs of Iraqis.

Mike Deal: "Historically, it is just not true that all occupations are doomed to failure... The only way out is to increase our force level to the level that we can seriously attrite the opposing factions ..."

It has already been tried -- refer to the pro-war rhetoric at the time -- : It was called "Vietnam".

As we all know, the US "was not defeated in Vietnam"...

"Neighbors Won’t Step Up Until U.S. Gone".

And why should neighbours "STEP UP" to help the US maintain a strangehold on Iraq and let it enjoy Iraqi oil?

As a recovering alcoholic and drug addict, with nearly 25 years of continuous recovery, I've learned that "twelve step programs are for people who 'want it,' not, 'for people who need it'" Iraq is the same.
Only the Iraqi Government, composed of various diverse demographic and sectarian groups, can solve the political problems of Iraq. As with the Balkans, and former colonial states, those sectarian and ethnic demographic faults were held together by a tough, sometimes ruthless ruler. When that ruler disappears, and a greater freedom occurs, many of those groups ventilate their previously unexpressed frustrations, prejudices, and violent dislike of their former 'fellow citizens.'
In Iraq, the Shia, long dominated, marginalized, disrespected, persecuted ... are the largest demographic group.
There is no way the Shia are EVER, again, going to allow the Sunni to dominate them. Never. Ever. And the Shia of Iraq do have alliances with Iran. But, they are different Shia, but eventually will align themseleves more with the Shia world of Islam than the Sunni.
Sunni extremists have dominated Islam for 13 centuries.
Accordingly, there are centuries of bottled up emotions which the Shia WILL express.
There is NO WAY we Americans can make the Shia integrate the other groups in ways which will allow them power to turn on the Shia. Especially Sunni Muslims. Therefore, we can stay there until doomsday -- the Shia will slow roll or obfuscate until the patience of the American people expodes.
Right now, if a mass casualty attack occurred in Iraq against Americans, that would be it.
There would be a loud outcry to begin withdrawing.
Bush is like Ramses II: he will NOT let his people withdraw.
These are two immovable objects: Bush in his stubborness; the Shia in their determination to dominate post-Saddam Iraq.
The occupation MUST terminate if Iraq is ever to get on with it's national process.
If Bush won't relinquish conntrol, one or more insurgent groups will make it their business to force him to do so: that will mean killing more Americans, at some point. There's no doubt that the Surge will fail.
As British forces, and others, withdraw from Southern, more Shia Iraq, the violence there will draw Americans in as never before. There, they will be attacked mercilessly by Shia insurgents, driving up our casualties enormously. In the end, that's the way the occupation will end.
Bush is insane.
The American people will eventually DEMAND WITHDRAWAL, and that is what must happen for the Iraqis to solve these problems.
Until then, this terrible debacle will continue.

Historically, it is just not true that all occupations are doomed to failure: The eastern majority of Celtic Britain below Hadrian's Wall became Anglo-Saxon England, which itself was occupied by Normans. Catholic Spain and Portugal occuped all of what is now Latin America. And of course, the American South is now under its 144th year of illega ol Yankee occupation and colonization. While the current US presence in Iraq is certainly a recruiting tool for jihadists, a unilateral withdrawal would be a recruiting bonanza. The truth is that thanks to that carpetbagger Bush, we're now stuck in the tar-baby of Iraq as much as Bre'r Rabbit. The only way out is to increase our force level to the level that we can seriously attrite the opposing factions to the point where they will agree to a peacekeeping force from other Muslim dominated countries, preferably with secular governments. An incursion into Syria to to attrite foreign fighters is not out of the question.

Mark W - "Mr. Kuttab in Industry here we have a saying, "Safety First". Without discounting your opinion, what element is required to bring safety to a United States withdrawal ?"

Everybody seems to CONVENIENTLY forget why the US invaded Iraq in the first place.

First because it was about WMDS, then REMOVING SADDAM, then DEMOCRACY FOR IRAQ, then SECURITY for Iraq.

Now when even the Amercan public wants withdrawal - its suddenly SAFETY FIRST. When will there be safety? No one can predict.

Do Americans LOVE Iraqis so much that they are willing to die for them?

Why do the Americans not love the LONG SUFFERING PALESTINIANS? Let me answer the question myself. Because they do not have OIL.

Now you know why Americans LOVE Iraqis? The key word is OIL.

The US has messed up in Iraq and all the talk about having elections and bringing democracy is just that: talk. After 5 years I see people in the Green Zone living with airconditioning 24/7, eating all the food they want : even booze and pork, served up by Third World staff (servants?), enjoying fast food, pub fare and films, having daily contact by e mail with home. 500 yards away Iraqis are lucky if they get power for a few hours a day etc. Does one have to say more?

Jai Khosla: "The USA got rid of a murderer, facilitated elctions and the writing of the first free Constitution and the Iraqi army ran away without fighting. These are not indications of a US defeat."

Jai, I love your "facilitated"... (the use of those euphemisms is more telling than anything I could say!). "Facilitated" at the expense of how many lives: Men, women, and children dead, wounded, maimed... with their genetic material destroyed thanks to depleted uranium, etc.?

As once a facilitator myself, I believe the time has come to revisit the role of "facilitators"... otherwise, I may not be able to look at myself in a mirror anymore.

["Death to the infidel" is hard wired into the Islamic Psyche.]

An otherwise good post by Tarik is tainted because of the above remark.

"Death to the infidel" is nowhere to be found in the Holy Quran.

Verses like "And fight in the Way of Allah those who fight against you, but transgress not the limits. Truly, Allah likes not the transgressors - 2:190" & "There is no compulsion in religion - 2:256", should surely dispell the myth that "death to the infidel" is "hard wired into the Islamic Psyche".

Allah advocates only Self Defence - not death to the infidels, though he certainly prods us to deliver His Message to infidels.

The name Tarik suggests that he is a Muslim but he has certainly not done any good to the cause of Islam by this remark - which, by the way, is a favourite remark of anti-Islamists.

All issues in the Middle East are so Interrelated that you cannot dissocite one issue from another.
Invasion of Iraq and Afganistan came due to terrorism which in turn was born due to injustice imposed on Palestinians by Israeli military supported by US. Israel was created by military force on the ruins of Palestine.
The only way to settle all issues in the Middle East is to solve the core issue, the Palestinian issue.Only then all other issues will lose steam and turn to their end.

Islam is the world's 2nd biggest and fastest growing religion.
"Death to the infidel" is hard wired into the Islamic Psyche.
Islamic history is replete with clashes between the shias and Sunni each claiming to be the true followers of Mohammad.
Humans have been on planet earth for over 200,000 years even though recorded history is only 3000 years old.
It is a fact that of Billions born so far on planet earth Mohammad is the most influential and the most successful man.
I am not including Jesus since he was a God!(and you cannot compare a man with God).
Mohammad came in the full light of history and his message is in Arabic a living language.
Mohammmad's achievements are phenomenal. Far beyond any mans wildest dreams.
The nearest rival is Chengiz Khan.
He too like Mohammad was born in what was at that time a forlorn and forsaken corner of the globe.
He too like Mohammad united the warring tribes.
Unlike Mohammad he did not have a BOOK.
Reader's will remember that the Great Khan too had overrun Baghdad. Chengiz Khan came to destroy Islam but his children became the defenders of Islam for the next 400 years.
The great Warrior Tamerlane and Ahmad Shah Abdali who routed the confederacy of the Merhattas have the same genes. So is Imran Khan (former cricket captain according to Dr Amin).
Babur the conquerer of India too was descendant of this great conquerer.
Serious readers should understand "Islamofascists are to Islam what KKK is to Christianity".
Serious reader should understand Islam is a universal religion encompassing hundreds of ethinic and linguistic groups.
Arabs are only 10% of the muslim population.
The name Mohammad is beloved and respected and proclaimed 5 times a day by 1.5 billion people.
It is possible that Shias and Sunnis can one day tolerate each other just like the Catholics and
Protestants.

While I agree with Daoud Kuttab that the mere continued presence of American troops causes much of the ongoing violence, I doubt the portion of his thesis that Iran will willingly "help" Iraq in any meaningful way after the Americans leave without securing what it has long wanted: effective control of the Shia shrines within Iraq.

If the Americans leave, nothing will prevent Iran's Revolutionary Guard from marching right into Iraq and setting up camp in at least the Shiite-dominated portions of Iraq. They may or may not have enough sense to avoid making war in the Sunni-dominated areas, but if they do choose to do so, they will not behave anywhere as nearly nice to the Sunnis as the Americans have behaved. It will be a bloodbath of Sunni men, women, and children that could easily reach proportions equivalent to the Jewish Holocaust during World War II. After all, to the Shia, the Sunnis are "infidels" and we all know their chant of "death to the infidels!"

((((((((((((( Peace-Love-RockeM ROMNEY, For Prez <?: + )/ Ya! )))))))))))

All the neocon cheerleaders are little more than airmchair quarterbacks..my son is a marine and if more families had someone at stake this would have been long over..all the above plans for success that require a super-surge are just as much moonshine...we DO NOT have sufficient troops to do a manpower heavy 5 year plan. All the end-times preachers and neocon cheerleaders are simply on the sidelines...put your money/loved ones on the table or shut up.

Mr Khattab hit the right nail. US oocupation is behind all chaos in Iraq. Before this unjustified occupation, Iraq was not that different from any other country in the Middle East.Yes there was dicatorship,but on the other hand there was security and no bloodshed as we see now.

US administration is supporting Iraqi PM Al Maliki and his government whose only loyalty is to their Mullas in Iran.What a wise Us Poloicy.

Mr. Kuttab writes like he knows what will happen. He doesn't. No one knows what will happen if American troops leave. No one knows what will happen if American troops stay. I suspect the outcome will be bad, no matter what. Perhaps there will be a less bad outcome, but it is hard to predict which course of action might produce it. Anyone who says otherwise is deluding themselves with false assumptions.

iraq will not become a bloodbath simply because iran will provide the needed counter-balance to the sunni. the sunni will be quite busy eliminating al-qaeda from their neighborhoods. as we have seen the al-qaeda have become quite worried about the sunni deathsquads hunting them down. otherwise they wouldn't be stepping up their vitriolic threats against the sunni politicains. a bloodbath in iraq is good for none of the neighbors. it would be to costly for each of them. they have the u.s. to worry about.

Iraq will become the blood bath, the sunni Arabs of Iraq and the middle east refuse to allow kurds or shia any part in governing their country; Bunch of bigoted racists and sectarian, the iraqi resistance is no more than sunnis who sold their honor to Saddam because he was sunni [not because they liked him], they rejected his removal because a sunni [being a tyrant notwithstanding] ruler is a MUST.

People can whine all they want about sectarianism, the bottom line, the arab sunnis [in the world] will not accept an Iraq with non-arabic and/or non-sunni leadership. Imagine a sectarian palestinian telling Iraqis that they have no honor because they did not stand behind saddam, talk about criminal ideologies.

Islamists and socialist can believe all they want of the revolutionary delusions they have with their usual diatribe about others being neo-cons and anti-islam.

Iraq's future should be handed back to Iraqis, let Egypt, Syria, Iran, Saudi terrorist Kingdom shut up and let go of our homeland, it is not theirs, those who cry about honor lack it, and those crying about stolen oil do want the money to go themselves, bunch of bloodsucking despots

how often must it be said that any country under the restraints of an occupation will refuse to co-operate in any meaningful manner until the occupiers leave? the only other approach is to devastate a country entirely to it's knees. germany and japan coalesced at the end of ww11 only after devastating and totally crippling assaults upon their homelands. as the iraqis in no way exhibited any intention of attacking us( despite the white house rhetoric) it would hardly be justifiable to attack them on this level. it can only then be said that the only logical approach in the end will be to allow the iraqis the fair opportunity to find agreement amongst themselves in order to preserve their country. this must be done dspite the meddling ways of it's neighbors. and especially the crippling disorder i refer to as petrophsycosis exhibited by the white house. therefore given the time and opportunity to do so, the iraqis will turn to self-preservation of their way of life and intertwined cultural heritages as the the only usable cornerstone upon which they can build.

Iraq will become the blood bath, the sunni Arabs of Iraq and the middle east refuse to allow kurds or shia any part in governing their country; Bunch of bigoted racists and sectarian, the iraqi resistance is no more than sunnis who sold their honor to Saddam because he was sunni [not because they liked him], they rejected his removal because a sunni [being a tyrant notwithstanding] ruler is a MUST.

People can whine all they want about sectarianism, the bottom line, the arab sunnis [in the world] will not accept an Iraq with non-arabic and/or non-sunni leadership. Imagine a sectarian palestinian telling Iraqis that they have no honor because they did not stand behind saddam, talk about criminal ideologies.

Islamists and socialist can believe all they want of the revolutionary delusions they have with their usual diatribe about others being neo-cons and anti-islam.

Iraq's future should be handed back to Iraqis, let Egypt, Syria, Iran, Saudi terrorist Kingdom shut up and let go of our homeland, it is not theirs, those who cry about honor lack it, and those crying about stolen oil do want the money to go themselves, bunch of bloodsucking despots

"The Bushies cannot bear the thought of leaving all that oil behind."

Amen.

((((((((((((( Peace-Love-Rock and ROMNEY! )))))))))))

Mr. Kuttab in Industry here we have a saying, "Safety First". Without discounting your opinion, what element is required to bring safety to a United States withdrawal ?

Iraq is certainly out of balance now which could be a reflection of United States Federal Government being out of balance for some six years.

Numerous authorities in this country have blamed Pentagon for not invading Iraq with a sufficient strength to sustain stability in Iraq. Instead, a limited number of troops were deployed with Private Contractors rounding up the numbers. One Politician indicated that a successful surge would need 40,000 to 60,000 additional troops.

Of course, the world knows our troops are being asked to go beyond the extra mile. Penalties absorbed by our troops and their families in Harm's Way are compounding as witnessed through recent WP artical on effects of stress due to prolonged deployments without adequate healthcare and rest between rotations.

And so it seems that "Safety First" caution cannot be absorbed by America alone. And you have indicated that American presence on Arab lands is a destabilizing force, a sign of another Crusade by foreign invaders.

Last week Secretary Rice reminded the world that our forces serve at the pleasure of the Iraqi Government.

Allow one poster to set the record straight on the Cambodian debacle. It was our horrible and lengthly war in Vietnam, our "secret" bombing and incursions into the "Cambodian sanctuaries", including the massive attacks of 1970 that fatally and finally destabilized the Khmer kingdom. Can anyone say with a straight face that absent these conditions, the Khmer Rouge could have done their deeds? While we were not directly at fault for their actions, we set the stage. The same paradigm is true in Iraq: we have smashed the situation beyond any capability of ours to mend. Now we constantly hear the argument from various zionists and neocons (bleating about the poor Arabs, what hypocrisy) that if we leave, the situation will fall into chaos and greater bloodshed. The die is cast, and we cast it. The occupation and efforts to establish a "friendly" read puppet state, are fatally flawed and Mr. Daoud Kuttab is entirely correct that it must end before any mending can commence, as well as his assertion that only then will the neighboring states, principally Syria and Iran, will have any serious motivation to get involved in a positive fashion.

There should be no doubt in everyone's mind that the Iraq mayhem is self created by the U.S. through a war of choice; and it is also becoming increasingly clear that continued American presence is not part of the solution but rather the problem. The United States as a whole is responsible for the current mess, not GWB or his administration alone. Where were all the war protesters, the newly vocal democrats in the Congress and more importantly the media in 2002 and early 2003?
*THE PROBLEM*
There can be no solution to a problem if one doesnt get the true measure of it. Iraq is being viewed as a problem by majority of the Americans not because it is morally wrong but because it has been poorly handled by an intellectually challenged president and his morally challenged advisors. These guys thought, and the press, public and the congress aquised, what is freedom of 27 million people for the sake democracy, or the non-existant WMD or is it the 100 plus billion barrels of oil. Or may be there is a grander design behind the whole (mis)adventure.
*AS I SEE IT*
If one thinks about Iraq the national interests of United Sates and Israel diverge. US national interest requires a stable Iraq and the middle east, to ensure energy supplies and to extinguish the flames of extremism and terrorism that a wartorn and unstable region is stoking. Israeli national interest requires a fragmented, weakened and unstable middle east so that it can continue to treat palestinians the way it has been treating without any one being able to raise a voice in their support. It is for Americans to decide what is in their national interst and how do they want to go about it. Unfortunately the gang surrounding GWB seem more interested in the outcome in Iraq that favours Israel rather than the one that will be favourable to US interests.
*THE SOLUTION*
As a first step the US should reassure Iraq's neighbors that the Iraq adventure is not a threat to them, not by words but by practical action, by declaring unequivocally that:
a)There will be no permanent US military bases in Iraq.
b)There will be no illegal activity aimed at regime change in any of Iraq's neighbors (in simple words you will not attack any other country as you attacked Iraq once your position stabilizes in the country.
c)There will be no effort to redraw the map of Middle east. Condi Rice's comment during recent Israeli misadventure in Lebanon about birth pangs of new middle east was most inappropriate. She should know that in Muslim societies illegitimate births are not viewed favourably.
As the situation stands today there is no incentive for any regional country to help US in Iraq. The angry sounds made by GWBs neocon advisors immediately after capturing Iraq but before start of insurgency, about what US should be doing about Syria, Iran and even Saudi Arabia does not encourage these countries to help US stabilize its position in Iraq.
*LAST WORD*
No Iraqi was involved in 9/11 contrary to what Chenney and Fox News would like the American public to believe, and be assured that none will follow you to U.S. soil if you withdraw honorably and let the Iraqis decide their own fate. If US forces dont withdraw in good time daily massacres in Iraq will continue, US soldiers will continue to die and the US public will continue to foot the multi billion dollar bills, for history proves that when it comes to foreign occupation the Iraqis are a crazy lot.

I think the best possible time to enter Iraq is in presence of America and calm down the Iraqi violence, vcause at this moment no one accuse the neighbouring countries to support their own factions.The question of shia,sunni and kurd cannot be solve without presenc of America.If sunni countries army will enter iraq then shia will object and can accuse for helping sunni insurgency and in case of Iran intervention by sending military would seen by sunni as threat to their existance.At this moment which will decide this complex situation?.so waiting for exit of america from Iraq is just wasting of time .

I would also suggest that the USA stop all immigration from many of the Muslim countries and repatriate those here already. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan come to mind. That way the US will not have to worry about terrorism at home.

The USA got rid of a murderer, facilitated elctions and the writing of the first free Constitution and the Iraqi army ran away without fighting. These are not indications of a US defeat.

The US can do nothing about Shias and Sunnis killing each other. Shias and Sunnis have killed each other ever since Muhammad founded Muhammadanism. It is up to the Sunni Muhammadan and the Shia Muhammadan as how they will settle their dispute.

Having said that the US did go in. It broke the china in the china shop and must now mend the china shop.

The answer is:

1) Send in another 100 troops.
2) Give warnings to Iran and Syria and act on those warnings.

3) set a timetable of 5 years to get out. And keep to the time table.

the US will never be able to win the hearts and minds of Muslims anywhere. This is not Japan or Germany where there was a high level of education and les religion.

American occupation is illegal first of all. The steps taken by the administration proved to be stupid enough to convince all Iraqis that their remedy does not lie with USA. So no wonder that there is no cooperation from almost all Iraqi with US troops. But due to the fact that the American intervention has lead to mass killing of more than 600000 persons and there are more than 8 millions fled their houses in and outside of Iraq, America should stay and calm the sectarian strife it has created otherwise genocide, second phase of the civil war, will follow. America has an honor obligation to settle the mess it has created for all Iraqis.

The Bushies cannot bear the thought of leaving all that oil behind.

America`s standing in Iraq and the Middle East has deteriorated under BUsh. He has behaved like an unintelligent bully by using an iron fist in his efforts to make Iraq a vassal state of the USA. He has been unable to accept that people he does not like have a right to exist and to put there policies on the political agenda. He has tried unsuccessfully to emasculate them. Their response has been one of confrontation and it is tantamount to telling Bush to get out of Iraq and to mind his own business. America, especially under Bush, does not have the will or the standing to organise a successful peace conference or to attract all of the stakeholders to it. Once the US goes Iraq will sought itself out and their is a real chance that it will split into three states and/or be dominated by a ruthless strongman who will impose stability on the nation and its warring factions.

Lets not blame the left on US failures and reasons for it in Iraq. US presence in Iraq is the single motivating factor for Baathists, extremists and Syria and Iran in keeping Iraq destabilized. For Iran and Syria, as the rationale goes, it is suicidal to let US succeed in Iraq and then to see it influence in Iraq forever. They want US out and then sort things out among themselves. Saudi Arabia and Jordan would consider stabilizing Iraq as well or an inflamed Iraq would draw more and more of their citizens and then to see them turned against these kingdoms. Right now the incentive for these countries are to keep Iraq destabilized and once US leaves the incentive will transform to bringing stability in Iraq.

To believe newly disenfranchised Sunnis will willingly accept Shia hegemony is completely delusional. It’s madness to believe Shia and Sunni are killing one another because Americans are present and if only Americans left things would sort themselves out.

Well, let me take that back, they WILL sort themselves out, just as Cambodia sorted itself out after the Left forced the cut off of American support.

The Left screamed at American involvement but suddenly became mute as over two million were killed by ideological fanatics.

How many millions of Iraqis will die because the Left hates George Bush?

This war would not have begun if we had a draft without exemptions. If every voter knew his or her family would be exposed to militay service, they would turn on every administration that promoted endless war. This war was easy to sell to voters because the majority knew they could keep their families at home and let others do the dying. This is just the latest rich man's war and a poor man's fight. If our government were to seize all war profits and give the money to the soldiers, the war would end over night. It is the war profiteers who are the promoters and cheerleaders for war.

Thank you for reminding us that there are indeed solutions to the Iraqi situation; but that they are all solutions without the Americans.

At this point, the Americans are exclusively the problem. The moment they are gone, yes, solutions will appear, will be proposed from all quarters in Iraq, and in the rest of the world; but not before the Americans leave.

Not even the US can disregard the international community of nations with impunity indefinitely. Despite it all, there still exists some self-respect amongst nations.

I agree that we are not loved in Iraq. But there are some possibilities that depend on too many other conditions. If we left Iraq within the next year there would be a possibility that the existing government could be seen as an Iraqi institution. This is important because Iraqis could find common ground in exterminating A.Q. With A.Q. liquidated and no fight for insurgents then the final issue will be sectarian but this is, and has always been, an Iraqi if not regional reality. The best thing America could do is ask the region for advice on how to leave with help from the U.N. or Arab states.

I agree, the presence of American forces continues to be a strong recruiting tool for jihadists into Iraq. The theory that, upon US withdrawel from Iraq, the Middle East will erupt into some massive cross-border war and the terrorists will follow us home is nothing but harmful rhetoric from dishonest politicians.

The view that Iraq will become a blood bath in our absence is a smoke screen for continued involvement. No one wants to acknowledge the failure of our policies. Will there be continued violence in Iraq? Yes there will be, but we have that now. No one can stop the internal struggle that the Iraqis have chosen to participate in. All we are doing is prolonging the inevitable struggle that must take place for the Iraqis to decide the character of their nation. It is up to them to decide what the definition of their country will be and unfortunately that is going to require some violence. We need to accept that fact and stop believing that we or anyone else can prevent it. Our only hope at this point is to contain it as much as possible. As long as we stay there in the capacity we now hold, we are only preventing them from doing those things that must be done to recreate their nation.

Those who refuse to acknowledge these facts and want to continue to send our young men and women into the meat grinder that Iraq is becoming must and should be held accountable. We have become like the compulsive gambler that wants to continue spending “good money” after “bad”, hoping for that one big score to make everything right again. This administration is like the drug addict that believes against all evidence to the contrary that just one more pill, just one more hit will cure what ails him. We need to cut our losses and wait for the smoke to clear. At some point in the future we may be able to offer the Iraqis some reconstruction support, but this is not the time. Just as we had to decide the character of our nation during our civil war, the Iraqis must also do the same. We have opened this “Pandora’s Box” and there is no closing it. We must let those who want to continue to push this failed policy know that there is a cost. You cannot continue to knowingly maim and kill our kids. We must rise up and say enough is enough. Have you had enough?

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