Experts: Iraq withdrawal now would be bad idea

Al Mendhar ^ | 2005 Jun 19

[Wiz]

WASHINGTON - Americans who are telling pollsters they want U.S. troops out of Iraq could see some nasty consequences if President Bush heeded their wishes, foreign policy experts warn.

At worst, the results could include: _A civil war in Iraq resulting in far greater bloodshed than the current conflict, though presumably without further U.S. losses. _The transformation of western Iraq, which is dominated by Sunni Muslims, into a haven for international terrorists from al-Qaida and other groups. _A collapse of U.S. credibility among nations of the Middle East, whose leaders would probably distance themselves from Washington. _A collapse of the Bush administration's push for democracy in the region. _Instability in the Persian Gulf that could lead to steep increases in oil prices, driving the cost of gasoline beyond current record levels.

"All those things might not come to pass, but I think you would enter into a very turbulent period of instability, and the likelihood of all those events happening would go up significantly," said Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

The Bush administration's strategy is for U.S. troops to train enough Iraqi military and security forces to protect the country's new democratic system, then gradually leave. But that can't be done overnight, said Anthony Cordesman, a military analyst with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, who follows Iraq closely.

While the number of trained Iraqi troops and police has reached 169,000, about 30,000 more than the number of U.S. troops in Iraq, the Iraqis aren't nearly experienced enough to take over the fight, he said. "This effort is going to take well into 2007 at the earliest before they can be cut to more limited levels," Cordesman said of U.S. troops.

[motzman]

I remember Ronald Reagan use to address the nation about once every 6 months

But that was a different time, with a lot less media. Nevertheless...Reagan was EXCORIATED constantly by the media. People who didn't care about politics hated Reagan by default, because of the media.

Plus, "Presidential addresses" don't have nearly the juice they used to due to (primarily) media fragmentation. The people who are apathetic or don't really care much will find another channel or pop in a DVD, etc. What they will hear about regarding any such speech is the overwhelming liberal bashing of the President in print, local news, CBS evening news, etc. Why would Bush subject himself to that?

Bush's media handling has been first-rate. The results speak for themselves.

IMHO, of course.

[atlanta67]

"People who didn't care about politics hated Reagan by default, because of the media."

hmmm..i would say the 1984 election contridicts that statement

[AzaleaCity5691]

We couldn't win Vietnam, we entered the thing with our hands tied behind our back from day one.

Instead of battling a guerilla insurgency for 10 years (basically what we did) we should have gone in their with one clear goal, having U.S troops march into Hanoi to raise the flag of South Vietnam.

[motzman]

People who didn't care didn't vote.

The partisans will always go their way. The unattached are the ones to shoot for. They generally go for results (explaining Reagan's and Bush's wins).

By "talking too much" Bush exposes himself to perception problems from the unattached. Although no election is at risk, his agenda will be, if he keeps giving the media ammo to attack him.

And ANYTHING Bush says will be used as ammo to attack him with.

I do understand how frustrating it can be at times....but it wouldn't matter if Bush had Clinton's silver tongue (ewwww!) - "The Media" is very left-wing.

[CyberAnt]

"the enemy will follow our soldiers home"


Yes .. you can take that to the bank!!

[CyberAnt]

"Americans who are telling pollsters they want U.S. troops out of Iraq could see some nasty consequences if President Bush heeded their wishes ..."


I believe this is why President Bush doesn't govern using polls.