A solution on Iraq?

I understand Kerry has been fighting back harder which is great and it comes at the perfect time. But I think that at some point it would be better if Kerry could voice some kind of simple plan that really could work to get us out of the quagmire without relinquishing Iraq to the thugs and without seeming to look timid. He needs to find a way to bring the soldiers home and appease war critics while finishing the job and winning over conservatives. I think I've got a good idea for Kerry to use that fights the criticism he doesn't have a plan on Iraq or that his plan is light on details. I think this idea would let Kerry have it both ways in a brilliant stroke of imagination that could win him the election. Drum roll please...

In order to be able to say he would pull the troops out and yet be able to declare that he stayed as long as it took to win, Kerry should say that drawing down US forces in Iraq is contingent on how the Iraqis do securing their own country. If the country is able to procede with peaceful elections, the US will gradually draw down its force and plan to completely leave within four years. This takes away the terrorists' arguments that they are fighting to get the US out. It also does not look weak but gives Americans what they want- the troops coming home, and gives Iraqis what they want- no more occupation and a chance to control their own destiny which is what the Neo Cons said they wanted in the first place.

Hopefully we can buy some time to get our troops out and train the Iraqis to police themselves. I think this is how we should do it and I also think it appeals to Americans and Iraqis. We promise to get out and let them take over but do so in a controlled, deliberate way. This is not a retreat or defeat or even "peace with honor." This is allowing Iraqis to take over their security as they are able to.

I really think this puts international pressure on the terrorists instead of us (I hate to say it but kind of in the same way Israel makes us see the suicide bombing but not the "retaliation"). But Kerry must assure everyone that should violence break out, to the extent that it threatens to destabilize the country and the region, then the US is fully prepared to finish the job. I think Kerry gets to look tough and decisive while also appeasing peopple who want to see us get out. I also think Kerry can rightfully say this is the right thing to do- it should appeal to conservatives who have to be starting to get troubled over the fact that Iraq has become a welfare state that threatens future tax cuts.

•  Getting out now

  My discomfort with the "get out now" response is that I'm not sure what "now" means.

  Think aboout it.  

  • There are 135,000 troops scattered all over Iraq except the no-go zones.  
    
  • There is a lot of ordnance stored in multiple places, which one would want to move out of Iraq.
    
  • It took six months to move these troops into the region.
    
  • As soon as we start withdrawing, the insurgents will try to turn a withdrawal into a rout.  Withdrawing is a very dangerous operation for American troops.
    
  • There is equipment that either must be moved out or left behind.

  So what does "now" mean?  It's not like we can wave a wand and <poof> they are all back home.

  I think that Kerry has forcefully stated as much as he dares, without actually being president now and having the authority and inside information of the government.

  by TarheelDem on Thu Sep 23, 2004 at 05:23:59 PM PDT

•  A very interesting plan

  ...came from a guest, Edward Luttwak, on Ian Master's "Background Briefing" show last Sunday 9/19/04  which can be found on:

  http://www.ianmasters.org  

  He suggested a constituent assembly, rather like the Loya Jirga in Afghanistan consisting of authentically locally elected representatives from each region who then converge to hammer out a constitution and thus have far greater credibility than the current appointed government.  He also mentioned rolling elections, or elections that happen where they can, as they can.

  Check it out.  Ian Master's radio show is top notch.

  by eyeswideopen on Thu Sep 23, 2004 at 05:50:31 PM PDT