While I feel the Democratic Party has a pretty firm stance regarding the Iraq war, I feel it would be beneficial to form a strategic withdrawal plan from Iraq. To many times the only remarks state it would be detrimental to the future of Iraq to pull our troops out at this critical time. What should be discussed are the ramifications we face for staying too long.
Barry Rubin has a great article titled, "Reality Bites: The Impending Logic of Withdrawal in Iraq" in Volume 28 Number 2 of the Washington Quarterly. The ramifications Mr. Rubin points out are extremely important in deciding a basis for a plan to withdraw. What I believe is the scariest possible outcome is the issue that a possible civil war could break out in Iraq. With the United States troops still in Iraq, it is inevitable that the troops will be pulled to one side or the other. Either way, having to choose between provoking Sunni's and provoking hostility from the majority is not a decision that should have to be made. Another important reason for withdrawal is the further lack of respect we will receive in the Middle East. In this most important time for Israel and Palestine, the respect we have from the world is more important than ever.
These are just a few ideas. What I would hope for a productive conversation for structuring specific reasons for withdrawing troops from Iraq. The front page of our newspapers too often show the turmoil in that region, and it is time to show that our party expects change, not the blind rhetoric we have been hearing at every press conference.