http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2007/01/consider_conseq.html#more
Consider consequences of Iraq withdrawal
Lt. Col. Robert Roth - Norfolk, Va.
My soldiers and I spent 16 months in Iraq. We met with leaders, helped
the poor, provided supplies for schoolchildren, fed the hungry, gave
medicine to the sick, vaccinated farm animals and protected the innocent
--- all in the name of defending freedom and liberty.
In my experience, when a problem occurs, Iraqis come to U.S.
servicemembers for help. Why? Because Americans are trusted to do the
right thing. Iraqis don't want a permanent U.S. presence in their
country, but they want us there until their government can get on its feet.
I don't favor an increase in combat troops, but I am for an increase in
troops to train Iraqi military and police forces. And I am for remaining
in Iraq as long as the Iraqi government continues to enforce law and
order for everyone. A withdrawal when things are moving in the right
direction would be met with disaster. Consider these scenarios:
*
Turkey decides to attack a Kurdish minority that is fighting for
an independent Kurdish nation in the north.
*
Shiites in Iran begin to funnel money, weapons and fighters into
Iraq to create another Shiite country in the region. The Saudi Arabians
respond, also funneling money, weapons and fighters to create a
Sunni-controlled state to oppose the Shiite influence in the region.
Other Arab states such as Kuwait, Syria, Jordan and Egypt also join the
Saudi effort.
*
Soon, the Persian Gulf becomes a modern-day battleground, and oil
no longer flows out of the region. Oil prices rise drastically and a
global economic recession begins.
*
Finally, al-Qaeda claims victory in Iraq and blames the entire
debacle in the region on the United States, increasing the number of
recruits to its cause.
And you think none of this will affect the United States? No one in our
government has articulated this problem to the American people. Well,
now you know.
Keep the troops in Iraq to support the Iraqi army and police; pressure
the Iraqi government to protect all of its people; work with all the
Arab nations in the region to pressure Iran to change its ways; and tell
Israeli leaders to turn over the occupied lands to the Palestinians. The
United States will always back Israel if it is ever attacked again.
Who knows? Perhaps peace can break out.
+++
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