If we withdraw from Iraq - we can expect far worse tribal chaos and Islamic terrorism than in Mogadishu or Lebanon.
If we withdraw from Iraq - we will alienate moderate arabs in the Middle East - who could never again believe in any American assurances of support for reform and would have to retreat into the shadows-or find themselves at the mercy of fascist killers.
If we withdraw from Iraq - the enemy will swell their ranks as they hype their defeat of the American infidels. Recruitment will accelerate across the globe.
If we withdraw from Iraq - any strategy of hitting terrorists hard abroad would be discredited and replaced by a return to the pre-9/11 tactics of a few cruise missiles and writs.
We must remember that the enemy has an eighth-century agenda of gender apartheid, religious intolerance, and theocracy. We only fool ourselves if we think that peace is the natural order of things and that it follows organically from the cessation of hostilities. We must finish this task regardless of how ugly and bloody it gets. We risk loosing more in the future then we have already lost to this point. Though we continue to sacrifice dearly, the peace of mind that we have been able to thwart any terrorist effort within the United States since 9/11 is proof that something is working. Obviously many of us can agree that this is not due to the diligence of our government to protect our borders and secure the homeland.
Development towards bringing peace to the Middle East hinges on continued American resolve in Iraq as well as our ability to address the situation in Palestine. There has not been any other world leader who has stepped up to combat these issues outside of their own Country. Of course the administration must account to the American people for the way this war has been waged as well as the false pre-tenses that initiated this conflict in the first place. The administration must also be held account for the manipulation of executive powers which have only led to the increased distrust of the federal government. We must try and repair the wounds that we have caused with our allies around the world, as well as encourage them to increase their presence in the Iraq conflict. This will allow the U.S. to withdraw a large amount of its military presence in Iraq and put forth to the terrorists a global unified front. America must not carry the flag of freedom and liberty alone. This is a failed strategy and we must work hand in hand with other powers to ensure the life and safety of individuals across the globe. We must find a new global strategy to combat terrorism that is no longer lying dormant in our cities and villages. If we fail to do so, we risk losing more of our unique freedoms and liberties that make America what it is.
