Editorial dissent: the consequences of withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq

I don’t like war; I never have, but sometimes, there is no better alternative.

Nevertheless, the United States shouldn’t be interfering with another country. For the most part, what other countries do is none of our business.

Yet, I can’t deny that Saddam Hussein deserved to be removed from power, and his brutal sons with him.

U.S. forces captured Hussein nearly nine years ago, and we’re still in Iraq.
This is too long a time to be stuck in the quagmire, and I want nothing more than to see the troops stationed in Iraq to be home and safe.

However, I don’t think a quick pull-out is the way to go.

Iraq is a mess. It’s unstable and subject to daily terrorist bombings. On Monday, an attack in Baghdad killed at least five people and wounded 30. The situation in Iraq was horrible before we went in, but it’s not great now.

I’m afraid that abruptly pulling troops out of Iraq will leave the prime minister’s forces with more than they can handle.

“We have serious security problems in this country and serious political problems,” former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi said.

Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki apparently thinks his own forces are up to the task of keeping peace in the country.

I’m not sure that’s the case. American commanders in Iraq recommend that between 10,000 and 15,000 troops remain stationed in the country.

I want the troops home, and I want Iraq to stand on its own, but I’m worried that once the American troops leave, the Iraqi forces will be overrun by terrorists and insurgents.

People in Iraq are still threatening violence to get their way.

Since we helped create the current mess in Iraq, we should stay to help clean it up.
The democratic government does not want us to stay, so we really don’t have much of a choice, but I think the non-violent segment of the Iraqi population is making a mistake.

Without well-trained forces, how will the government stop a violent radical takeover?
I guess it’s their problem now.

­— hanns@indiana.edu