The administration's treating the troop withdrawal from Iraq as a major achievement, particularly because it fulfills a campaign promise to the leftist of supporters of the incumbent. But, as a practical matter, and in terms of how it weakens our nation's position in the Middle-East, it's a huge mistake.
There's no doubt it sounds good to say that the U.S. is a peaceful nation, and doesn't seek enemies anywhere in the world. It's also preferable to keep our troops at home and out of harm's way. In fact, it would be ideal if we had no need for troops at all.
But, to anyone aware of reality and having an ounce of common sense, it should be obvious that the world's changed significantly and there are enemies who seek to destroy us any way they can. Consequently, we put ourselves at great risk by putting our head in the sand (no pun intended) and walking away from Iraq. Primarily because it won't be long before hostiles, likely Iran, will do their best to undo all our rebuilding of the nation and reduce our gains to zero.
Beyond that, from a military and intelligence perspective we're far better off with our own foothold in the Middle-East, because the area's so volatile and subject to confrontation and upheaval. Therefore, our physical presence gives us closer access when problems arise and a much better chance of preventing disasters, and containing enemies on their own turf before they can get here.
It also might interest those who think we're doing the right thing by withdrawing troops to consider that it's about sixty years since the end of World War ll, and we still have troops in Germany, Italy and Japan. And somehow or other our presence, aid and assistance has made two of those nations among the strongest and soundest in the world, and the third may not be doing so hot financially right now but it's still a Mecca for tourists and certainly knows how to make great food.
So, I guess we can add this short-sighted foreign policy step to the growing list of poor decisions made by an incredibly inept administration. And when you add it to the ineptitude shown regarding the economy, education, trade relations and health care, to name just a few disasters, I guess we have to wonder what's left for them to screw up next, especially because there really isn't very much left.
That's it for today folks.
Adios
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