One thing that really bothers me about the "withdraw from Iraq" debate is this sense of smell I have... this sense of political wind, a sense of reality that "geopolitics" has certain unspoken rules that those in power obey, end of discussion.
One such rule: you never remove a military base from a forward installation unless forced by military means to do so.
I believe there is ZERO chance of the democrats arguing for such removal, that is, one that includes the US bases in Iraq. Indeed, Obama recently used the phrase, "combat troops"... as in, "removing combat troops"... leaving what sort of troops? those in hibernation? Those not in "combat" mode, but ready, of course... the bases.
Those bases are staying. They want "emotional withdrawal"... not physical or actual withdrawal.
My question, do you want them to stay? If our Democratic Party gets a "withdrawal" that still leaves tens of thousands deployed to Iraqi Bases, will you consider that the victory you were hoping for?
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