Redeployment: Failure on the Installment Plan
The proposed “redeployment” of American troops out of Iraq on a published timetable, and Sen. Obama’s assertion that the United States would reserve the right to re-enter Iraq after a withdrawal of US forces to hunt down Al-Qaeda militants, is remarkably similar to the situation prior to the recent counter insurgency policy.
Obama’s plan would have the same effect of the “whack a mole” policy so roundly (and deservedly) criticized in 2005 and 2006 by Sen. McCain and a few … very few … others. Withdrawal of forces allows an insurgency to gain power. The re-insertion of American forces would be done against a much stronger enemy, with far greater casualties on all three sides … Al-Qaeda, American and the innocent civilians … than continuing the present counterintelligence strategy.
We saw that policy fail with American forces going into selected areas in Iraq, clearing them, and then leaving. It didn’t work. And it cost more lives.
The problem is greatly complicated if Al-Qaeda in Iraq takes control of the sovereign government. An invasion of a sovereign is more complicated, although Sen. Obama has shown a lack of understanding in this regard (readers are reminded of his pledge to invade Pakistan).
John McCain was correct to note that Obama’s plan bears the mark of a bad compromise: Al-Qaeda is already in Iraq, and fighting us. If we “redeploy” we would have to re-engage very quickly to prevent Al-Qaeda from gaining strength, sending our troops on a bazaar imitation of a Chinese Fire Drill.
