by Amy Rebeiro

Created on: June 27, 2010   Last Updated: February 21, 2011

Is there ever a right time to pull US troops out of a US occupied region? When evaluating the United States presence in Iraq, it is important to understand the underlying civil struggle that has plagued Iraq even prior to the régime of Saddam Hussein. The reality, as harsh as it may sound, Iraq, at this time, is an unstable nation as a democratic country.  The situation in Iraq cannot be resolved by a US presence alone.  It cannot be resolved because two peoples are warring with each other because of conflicting ideologies. Peace cannot take place until they resolve the underlying issues.  Religion and national pride is at the heart of this complicated issue. Therefore, the question remains, will the US ever pull out the remaining 50,000 troops in Iraq or will they remain, as thousands of others have, to maintain a US presence in the region.

The Sunnis and Shiites have been struggling in Iraq for centuries, not to mention the Curds that are stuck in the middle.  In fact, this conflict has even influenced how nations in the Middle East align themselves.  Iran, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Syria, these nations have been influence by the Sunni/Shiite conflict since the creation of these nation/states. This struggle is greater than the US military forces, far stronger than what can be resolved with a military influence from the outside.

Whether or not the United States should have invaded this nation is no longer an issue, the deed has already been done, it does not aid the Iraqi people in arguing that point any longer. The reality is, Saddam Hussein, crazy and barbaric as he was, had the ability to keep the internal conflict between these peoples at bay.  His oppressive regime was able to control what is occurring today in Iraq.  Now that Saddam is gone that stability is gone. US troops will not be able to control this war because it will not oppress the people of Iraq.  Something else needs to be done. 

History has determined that through education, literacy and capitalism, nations are able to move out of development status to developed status. If history teaches anything, it is that the Middle East is a volatile arena with violence and money. Unfortunately, Iraq is not at that point.  At this point it would seem that until these influences can be implemented into the Sunni/Shiite culture this struggle will not end. The United States military needs to pull out not just because of the loss of life of the young people we are losing on a regular basis, but because this is no longer something the United States can do on their own.  

It is time for nation builders, NGOs and the United Nations to take over the conflict in Iraq.  It is time to pull out the troops in Iraq and force the newly Iraqi government to work to control and assist its citizens.  The US is not pulling out, or admitting defeat, it is purely admitting reality.  This is no longer a US Iraq war, it is a Civil War.  Unfortunately, Iraq is not at that point.  At this point it would seem that until these influences can be implemented into the Sunni/Shiite culture this struggle will not end. 

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