On Leaving Iraq

Questions and Answers on Leaving Iraq

Photo by David Leeson 2003 © (Copyrighted)

1. Why is the U.S. in Iraq?
We are not in Iraq to find and destroy weapons of mass destruction (there are none) or to fight terrorism (al-Qaeda is located primarily in Afghanistan and Pakistan). We are in Iraq because President Bush wanted to demonstrate U.S. military power and to establish a pro-American government to protect our interests in the region.

2. Can the U.S. achieve victory?
That depends on how victory is defined. If we define victory as toppling Saddam Hussein's authoritarian regime and showing that Iraq does not have weapons of mass destruction, we can declare victory now. If we define victory as establishing a stable democratic government that can stop the horrific level of violence, recent progress in reducing violence indicates that we should implement plans for significant withdrawal now.

3. How many casualties is the U.S. willing to accept?
That depends on how long we pursue a victory that is unlikely to be successful. The longer we fruitlessly pursue our current objectives, the less acceptable will be our casualties. If we recognize that Bush's war has not reduced the threat of terrorism and has not been successful in establishing a democratic government, despite recent reductions in violence, then it is morally unacceptable to allow American deaths to continue to climb above the more than 4,000 men and women who have already died.

4. Can U.S. troops leave safely?
It is unlikely that U.S. casualties will increase during a reasonable period of withdrawal. It is more likely that casualties will be reduced as we move our troops out of harm's way.

5. Will civil war break out after the U.S. has withdrawn?
Civil war already exists between Shiite Muslims and Sunni Muslims, between Shiite militias and Iraqi forces, and among the various Shiite militias themselves. It is only made worse by our presence, which is perceived as an occupation by all groups.

6. Will Iraq become a safe haven for al-Qaeda?
Al-Qaeda is a terrorist group run by Sunnis. The Shiite majority in Iraq is unlikely to tolerate their presence after the U.S. leaves. Iraq would not be as safe a haven for al-Qaeda as their present camps in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

7. Will the Shiite majority commit genocide against the Sunnis?
Shiites are already killing Sunnis now that the Shiites are in power, just as Sunnis killed Shiites when Saddam Hussein ruled Iraq. It is unclear whether ethnic cleansing will increase or decrease after we leave.

8. Can our strategic interests in the Middle East be protected if we leave Iraq?
Our supply of oil has decreased and its cost has increased because of our presence in Iraq. The situation is unlikely to worsen due to our departure. It is also widely acknowledged that we need to become much less dependent on oil whether we stay in Iraq or leave. As for our interest in protecting ourselves from terrorism, that fight can be carried out more effectively in Afghanistan where the most extreme anti-American terrorists are located.

9. Can we leave Iraq now with honor?
Admitting our mistake and withdrawing from Iraq is more honorable than continuing the war with the attendant unconscionable loss of thousands of more lives. Just as people can, countries can gain respect by honestly admitting their mistakes and correcting their course of action. We should do the right thing instead of trying to save face by pressing on. And recent progress in reducing violence justifies the need for fewer of our troops in Iraq.