by Jay Kitts

Created on: January 12, 2007   Last Updated: April 19, 2007

I should start this by saying that I did not listen to the President's address to the nation to make the case for troop increases in Iraq. I knew basically what he would say, I have heard his speeches before. Some have been quite frankly on point and compelling, others less so. I do not agree with the President all the time but I also do not disagree with him just to disagree as I feel many of his political opponents do.

Let us start with some basic facts. First, and most basic, we are in Iraq. Agree or disagree with the justifications for why we are there now, the fact is that we are there. Debating the justifications may have value in a political theory classroom or in a historical review but not in the exchange of ideas about what to do given the current state of affairs. Second, Iraq currently does not have a central government capable of defending itself from foreign powers or insurgents, and it does not have a police force at this time capable of establishing order and protecting its citizens. Third, people in this world want America to fail in stabilizing Iraq and having a standing, functioning Iraqi government that can govern itself, defend itself, and has a competent police force. A power vacuum in Iraq gives them hope that forces that have different objectives than us can gain control of the Iraqi people and it's oil resources and the inherent economic power that comes along with that control.

Putting aside for the moment tactical decisions about how to execute in Iraq and whether to increase, decrease, or maintain the current number of American soldiers, let us first address whether to be there or not and for how long to maintain a presence.

What happens if we leave tomorrow? First, there is a standing government of elected officials and not a dictatorship in Iraq, which is a success, but that standing government is unable to defend itself and its citizens or maintain order in Baghdad, which is the current stronghold of insurgency in the country. It does not take an entire country in disarray, which Iraq is not thanks to the bravery and good works of our military; it only takes a foothold of power and a relatively small area of conflict that also happens to be the capital of the country to justify the need for our presence there. Without that presence the enemy has enough power to overthrow the entire political establishment in Iraq and spread its reign over those regions that of date are stabile. What is the impact of those enemies spreading their

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>