We have to stay in Iraq for a decade. Here's how to do it.

Slate.com ^ | 05-23-07 | By Bing West and Owen West

[MNJohnnie]

Now that Democrats have stripped their troop-withdrawal timetable from the war funding bill, it's clear that American forces will remain in Iraq through 2008. It also seems likely that they will stay much, much longer. The leading presidential candidates in both parties recognize the dangers of a rapid pullout, and achieving stability in Iraq is going to take a decade. (In this piece, Phillip Carter argues that the United States can withdraw quickly, and explains how to do it.)

How can U.S. soldiers stay in Iraq and accomplish what needs to be done? Our best hope is the Adviser Model. With the surge still under way, Gen. David Petraeus obviously cannot discuss a Plan B. But given U.S. public opinion, a Plan B for 2008 and beyond is a certainty. Its central feature is likely to be the buildup of a combat-advisory corps as our combat units are drawn down.

Americans need to understand who those advisers are, what they will do, and how many we will need. There is little to indicate that most citizens, or even politicians, are well-educated on the subject. A recent proposal from House Democrats, for example, distinguished between advisers, whom they allowed to remain in Iraq, and the "combat troops" they sought to withdraw. This indicates a gap of understanding that must be bridged before any such transition can occur.

[MNJohnnie]

Check out these people website. These people are trying to actually do something instead of just sitting around taking it from the Left.

Vets for Freedom

http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/

[samtheman]

I’ll read this later.

[sageb1]

http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/

The slate link isn’t working for me.

[Jakarta ex-pat]

With bodies?

[TeddyIke]

Why would we want to? I just saw that the Iraqi PM said they are ready for us to leave. Sounds like mission accomplished and we can finally come home.

[TeddyIke]

I’ll just add that this can be a great boost for Republicans and seen as an overwhelming victory. We have a big ceremony and give him the keys to Iraq an put bases over the horizon so we can have a small presence that can intimidate any more overt Iranian incursions. Kind of like letting your teenager go to the concert by “themselves” without knowing you are in the car outside in the parking lot.

[sageb1]

I was wrong. The Slate link is working fine. It just didn’t pop up for me - only went to my task bar for some reason.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Add this to your reading list....:

1958: Coup in Iraq sparks jitters in Middle East ( July 14, 1958)

[Phlap]

A decade? That is too optimistic. I’d give it 25 to life if the US is to win, which it must. The loony left think running away will end it. They are fools!