The Bush administration and the wingers want us to stay since they want to control the oil and never make mistakes. Also, some people here see it as our moral obligation to the Iraqi people for what we have done to them to stay. I sort of agree with that line of thinking, but do I think it is possible? Yes. Just not with people like George Bush and Dick Cheney running the country. We could set this right. We just can't do it with the leadership we have now and as we spin our wheels hoping for a solution, more bodies are being ground up under those wheels on both sides. As such;
- As things stand now, we aren't pulling out now, at will, because that's tantamount to defeat and "Bush" stay's the course. He's tough, just ask him.
- We will be getting out sooner, rather than later. Why? Read on.
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Lack of troops. Our forces are being hollowed out and ground down by this war and most people aren't really dumb enough to join now, unless they are so desperately poor they don't have a choice. A draft is the only thing that could delay a withdrawl in this regard. I see them working towards that end, hence the recent attempt to keep women (Bush Daughters) out of harms way.
* Economic collapse/hardship. Our economy is barreling along, straight for a precipice and this administration see's no reason to stop this runaway train. The question is this; How do we get our troops home when our economy collapses? Will it be every soldier for his or herself in an effort to find a way out of Iraq to get home? They could quite literally be stuck there with a very limited supply chain that would dwindle rather quickly.
* Terror Attacks on U.S. Forces A large scale attack on U.S. forces in the region, not necessarily Iraq, is probably in the works. I don't know if it will happen/succeed, but I haven't any doubt the AQ terrorist network are planning a large scale terrorist attack(9/11 like) coordinated with a major insurgent strike, similar to the Tet offensive in Vietnam. They know if they were able to pull this off, it would be a major win for them, publically and politically. I don't think this is a matter of if, I think it's a matter of when, at least the attempt anyway.
Considering many of the people we are fighting tend to be incredibly patient, such as OBL, I know he is someone to be reckoned with. If we see the U.S. economy heading for collapse, I can gurantee you he does as well. What if most of the attacks he is planning, he is just holding in check until the dollar takes a dive? Not only does it hit us when we are most vulnerable, it would be a hit likely to greatly exasparate our condition.
It is in this regard that George W. Bush is making America much less secure than it has been at any time in recent history. A country, once considered the greatest power in the world, will be forced to withdrawl back within itself due to, literally, life threatening wounds. I'm not saying America's withdrawl from the world stage will be all bad, however, it will be in such a manner as to render us hollow. I fully expect to see China replace the vacancy in world power left in world politics once this occurs.
That is where George W. Bush is leading us. We are going to be leaving Iraq earlier than predicted, not so much because of lack of will or ability. We will be leaving earlier than noted because the same hubris and lust for power and revenge that led us there is taking our country over the edge in a desperate bid for absolute power. That same hubris that swept them into power will sweep them out, the strong out flowing current possibly sweeping America off of it's feet along the way.
I think those are the reasons alot of the prognosticators on Iraq are completely wrong.