Consequences
Robert Kagan, writing in the Washington Post, has a novel suggestion for our politicians: "Forget the political posturing, be responsible, and provide the moral and material support our forces need and expect." He's right, that is what our politicians are supposed to do: lead, not follow opinion polls. But it appears to be an increasingly rare thing these days. This op-ed really needs to be read in its entirety, but this one passage captures something I have been hitting repeatedly:
Other critics claim that these are political cop-outs, which they are. These supposedly braver critics demand a cutoff of funds for the war and the start of a withdrawal within months. But they're not honest either, since they refuse to answer the most obvious and necessary questions: What do they propose the United States do when, as a result of withdrawal, Iraq explodes and ethnic cleansing on a truly horrific scale begins? What do they propose our response should be when the entire region becomes a war zone, when al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations establish bases in Iraq from which to attack neighboring states as well as the United States? Even the Iraq Study Group acknowledged that these are likely consequences of precipitate withdrawal.
Those who call for an "end to the war" don't want to talk about the fact that the war in Iraq and in the region will not end but will only grow more dangerous. Do they recommend that we then do nothing, regardless of the consequences? Or are they willing to say publicly, right now, that they would favor sending U.S. troops back into Iraq to confront those new dangers? Answering those questions really would be honest and brave.
Of course, most of the discussion of Iraq isn't about Iraq at all. The war has become a political abstraction, a means of positioning oneself at home.
There will be a bloodbath if we pull out. The region will be plunged into chaos far exceeding what is happening now. And we will have pushed a much worse war later onto our children and grandchildren. The problem will not be resolved by us just leaving. There will be a price that the "troops home now" folks will exact on this nation and on the world. There are real – and devastating – consequence to the US and the world if we are defeated in Iraq. As Kagan writes: "Forget the political posturing, be responsible, and provide the moral and material support our forces need and expect."
UPDATE: See also The Glittering Eye for a very succinct (and spot on) description of the real problem in Washington. Lifelike Pundits also has a good take.
Other Links to this Post
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A Dose of Reality from the Washington Post « Thespis Journal — January 28, 2007 @ 11:55 am
By TC@LeatherPenguin, January 28, 2007 @ 1:42 pm
“Forget the political posturing, be responsible, and provide the moral and material support our forces need and expect.”
Kagen left out a very necessary word that should have followed “need” and “respect”: DESERVE.
By TC@LeatherPenguin, January 28, 2007 @ 1:54 pm
AARGGHH!
“expect”
/slaps self for hitting the button without reading the text.
//slashies!