Actually, he argues that we should consider an 'all in' or 'all out' strategy. Since the 'all in' strategy is not politically feasible, then he is left with the 'all out' strategy. This means setting timetables for withdrawal, although not without first one last ditch diplomatic effort! But, what makes this more interesting is that it should be UN led not US led.
For all these reasons, I prefer setting a withdrawal date, but accompanying it with a last-ditch U.N.-led — not U.S. — diplomatic effort to get the Iraqi parties to resolve their political differences. If they can, then any withdrawal can be postponed. If they can’t agree — even with a gun to their heads about to go off — then staying is truly pointless and leaving by a set date is the only option.While in general I am a fan of diplomacy, this is a silly idea. Why? Because Bush and Co. will never allow that to happen. Period. End of debate. I guess it comes down to withdrawal.
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I've got to disagree here. I actually think that Friedman has a good idea. True that Bush will never let it happen, but I think that the onus of rejecting the plan has to be laid squarely on Bush's shoulders. Iraq is now a complete disaster. When US forces pull out, it is going to be even worse. Far worse. When that happens, you can bet your bottom dollar that the Republican slime machine will go into full gear to try to pin all of the subsequent humanitarian catastrophe on the Dems. This will not be completely effective, but it will get a surprising amount of traction. The more opportunities that Dems give Bush to salvage something, the better insulated they will be from these charges. Bush and his GOP cronies are not going to allow pullout any time soon no matter what. Therefore it is to the Dems advantage to be seen as the ones creating new ideas, while Bush is seen as the obstructionist. This may seem like crass political calculation, but we are now jockeying for position and the better position that we are in politically when we finally get into power, the more we will be able to do.
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