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Originally Posted by x-factor
Let me preface by saying that I don't support pulling out of Iraq, but the argument (I would think) goes something like this:
1) Pulling out of Iraq allows us to focus our limited resources on a country where the population is more supportive of US/NATO troops on their soil...by extension, we can win definitively in Afghanistan (implicitly including capturing/killing of UBL and Zawahiri).
2) By pulling out of Iraq we rehabilitate our international image thereby renewing the US/European friendship, adding Arab support, and sapping the jihadist movement of its cause celebre.
3) Pulling out of Iraq also allows us to "reconstitute" the "broken" military.
4) Pulling out of Iraq will force the Iraqi government and populace to reconcile and the other countries in the region to assist in reconstruction, all out of their own self interests in avoiding a civil and/or regional war.
Bear in mind I think all of these are poorly reasoned and pulling out would be a disaster for everyone but Iran. However, if you guys want to work through the argument, I'm happy to play the RED CELL.
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1.) May be true but we've been looking for Osama (possibly dead...) in that region for 6 years now and not much luck there. I doubt you'd want that war in Afghanistan either.
2.) I don't believe pulling out of Iraq will suddenly patch up any "damages" done to our international relations. In my opinion, it will just give Iranians and other Arab countries something to point to and say "See, the Great Satan can be defeated!" and could be a catalyst to more aggressive policies by Middle Eastern countries.
3.) Not sure exactly what you mean by this, please expound.
4.) Fair point, but from what I have heard and read the Iraqi security forces still have a way to go before they are capable of providing the security to prevent the country from falling into total chaos.