"standing by them", as you say.....at least provides for our presence in the Gulf region, which is necessary for the Counteroffensive th Jihad (WOT). Since 2003 we have somewhat rejuvinated our previously pathetic HUMINT, not only in Iraq but in the whole area.....we have also established a widespread "beaxhead" in the gulf region which is likely to become more of an asset for our national security that most dare to imagine.
I don't give a ratzazz about the iraqi's, because they are turning out to be equal in every way to the S Vietnamese/ARVN's. And like with Vn, the American left is endeavoring to serve them up the reward thet served upom the S Vietnamese. Hopefully the left will fail this time, but the pathetic performance thus far from the Iraqi's is deja vu to me. But whatever they do, we are in position now to better deal with the wider problems that exist for the US in the region. The Iraqi's can be or choose their own master....I really don't care.....