Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Demonstrating a lack of intelligence and nuance
Howard Meek criticizes the Bush Administration's "naive, simplistic approach to ... foreign issues" (see "A cut 'n' run compromise," Nashville City Paper, August 15). He goes on to suggest that our War President should simply tell Iraq's leaders to "stop the ethnic killing or we're out of here." If this isn't a simplistic and naive way to handle a complex foreign policy issue, I don't know what is.
Republicans have not accused those advocating retreat from Iraq of cowardice. Republicans have instead questioned the judgment of those who wish to pull out of Iraq before the nation's military and police are prepared to move beyond the areas in the Kurdish north and Shi'ite south which they control to provide security for the whole of the country. Commencing a withdrawal from Iraq, with the mission unfinished, will only embolden the various ethnic militias and place the country on a fast track toward open civil war.
I hate to be blunt, but those who've suggested that U.S. forces should leave Iraq before the job there is complete have demonstrated a lack of intelligence and nuance in their foreign policy proposals.
Republicans have not accused those advocating retreat from Iraq of cowardice. Republicans have instead questioned the judgment of those who wish to pull out of Iraq before the nation's military and police are prepared to move beyond the areas in the Kurdish north and Shi'ite south which they control to provide security for the whole of the country. Commencing a withdrawal from Iraq, with the mission unfinished, will only embolden the various ethnic militias and place the country on a fast track toward open civil war.
I hate to be blunt, but those who've suggested that U.S. forces should leave Iraq before the job there is complete have demonstrated a lack of intelligence and nuance in their foreign policy proposals.
# posted by Joltin' Django @ Tuesday, August 15, 2006 
