“….An Aspect Of Withdrawal That Hasn’t Been Properly Considered.”

The words of Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of the British MI6 discussing the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. Well, it has been considered by some, Sir Richard. But not by the politicians who are more interested in partisan politics than in US security. Dearlove's words were spoken after another analyst said that a withdrawal would bring about a "terrorist Disneyland" in Iraq.

Rohan Gunaratna told a security conference at Lloyd's of London insurance market that Iraq, like Afghanistan in the 1990s, would become a "terrorist Disneyland" where al Qaeda could build up its strength unchallenged.

If U.S., British and other coalition troops withdrew from Iraq in the next year, he said, "certainly the scale of attacks that would be mounted inside Iraq, and using Iraq as a launching pad to strike other Western countries — countries in Europe, North America - would become such that after two or three years, the U.S. forces will have to go back to Iraq."

The Singapore-based academic and writer said the epicenter of international terrorism had already switched from Afghanistan to Iraq. "In many ways, the terrorist threat has now shifted 1,500 miles closer to Europe."

"…after two or three years, the U.S. forces will have to go back to Iraq." By leaving abruptly, a bloodbath would ensue - then we'd end up going back again anyway. But the next time will be even more hamstrung because of an ugly, shortsighted precedent set when the Congress usurped war powers the constitution does not grant them.

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  By Robert, Tuesday, 15 May , 2007 @ 12:54 pm

  You got that right.
  The Congress can’t legally give the President the ability to start a war, but the shortsighted Congress (you too, complicit media) squeezed the toothpaste out of the tube.
  A miracle is the only thing that will get it back in there.
  Here’s my question: How do these war cheerleaders still have jobs?
  How can the Krauthammer-Kristol gang still be getting paid as pundits?
  Why are these people still speaking on television and writing in newspapers?
  Lets toss these clowns into the trash heap forever, and let them take Conservatism with them.

Other Links to this Post

1. Blue Crab Boulevard » Historical View — Wednesday, 16 May , 2007 @ 6:42 am