Iraq Study Group

All politics aside, what is happening in Iraq right now has major implications for all of us, whether we hold staunch political views or not. What ends up coming out of this botched endeavor will directly affect the future foreign policy views of an entire generation of Americans, as well as directly affect the general opinions of America held by an entire generation of non-Americans. Let me be clear: whether you care to pay attention or not, this is not some minor conflict we hear about on the evening news, this is not some political noise that the disinterested can ignore - this is a global issue that must be dealt with immediately and effectively, and whose outcome will have specific consequences for the peace and stability of the U.S. and the world. The Iraq Study Group's report, and recommendations within, need to be considered and debated on a national stage in order for us to get this right - we only have one chance!

In the interest of full disclosure, I have not read the entire report from cover to cover. I have, however, been following the group's research and have read several synopses and reviews of the report since its release earlier this week. The study group's findings not only paint a "realist" picture of the situation in Iraq - which we have yet to get from our own government and military leaders - but also makes one key suggestion on the most effective means of ending the situation with a relative sense of victory. Some have criticized the report for not exploring several strategy alternatives, but they must remember that was not the point of the study - the point was to assess the entire situation as it stands now, and make key recommendations on how to best rectify the situation in a way that is most advantageous to the U.S. and still somewhat advantagous to Iraq. That suggestion, as discussed in the report, entails the re-deployment of American troops - what you've probably heard framed by critics as cut and run - to more outlying roles including Iraqi troop training, domestic police training, and border maintenance. The recommendation also calls for a specified timeframe within which this must take place - and that is the key issue that is worth exploring.

As it stands now, the success or failure of a democratic state in Iraq is being pegged to the United States government and military. I would suggest that that is not entirely fair. While I have been clear about my criticism of the Bush Administration's decision to so brazenly invade Iraq, it is not that invasion that will ultimately decide whether Iraq succeeds or fails. Yes, we did create this mess by making foreign policy decisions inappropriately according to political and ideological interests, and poorly planning an effective strategy to carry out that policy. That responsibility still lies with the Bush Administration and they should still be held accountable - unfortunately, GWB knows that his legacy is attached to the definitive success of the Iraq endeavor, and he incorrectly allows that one consideration to drive all of his decisions. But what is done is done, and we must now consider only issues going forward and the bulk of that responsibility lies on the Iraqi people and their government. The Study Group's suggestion of re-deployment within certain timeframes squarely places that responsibility with the Iraqi people, because it tells them that they must get it right now or risk losing their country and their newfound freedoms altogether. By staying there indefinitely, we in essence give them permission to take their sweet time, play senseless politics with each other, focus more on tribal issues than national unity, and basically rely on us to govern and protect them. And we simply cannot, for obvious reasons, make that kind of commitment.

And so I get angered when right-wing conservative idealogues and ill-motivated critics politicize this recommendation, label it a "cut and run" philosophy, and label its supporters as "defeatist" and "unpatriotic". In fact, I would argue the exact opposite - given what is at risk here for our country and its citizens, both domestically and internationally, those who give the time and thought to look for an effective way out of this mess and propose a solution that is in the best interests of this country, its military, and its global relevance, are in fact true patriots. And so their words should be heard and considered.

A wise man once told me, "if you are going to complain about something, you better be able to suggest a better way to do it" - and thus far, those complaining about the Iraq Study Group's findings have yet to propose any alternative suggestions, much less one that we can consider better.