OPINION: Should we send troops in Iraq home?
The strategy behind our initial invasion of Iraq was known as “Shock and Awe.” The basic idea was we would overwhelm and break the will of the opposition with our vastly superior air power, and then march in with the minimum amount of troops possible to take Baghdad.
It appeared to work wonderfully; U.S. troops were virtually uninhibited in their capture of the Iraqi capital city. In the next several months, however, we began to realize what a mistake it was to rely so heavily on our Air Force.
The lack of boots on the ground made it impossible to secure the borders of Iraq, and insurgents began pouring into the country. We were also unable to handle the domestic threats from Saddam Hussein’s loyalists, Shiite fundamentalists and northern Kurds.
For the past eight years the issue in Iraq has been the same. We have never had enough boots on the ground.
To be fair this error goes partially beyond the commander in chief and is largely due to U.S. military culture and the mercenary rather than a draft recruitment style.
Now that President Barack Obama ordered a follow through with the complete withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, blame can no longer be placed on the military or the president; it falls on us.
Let me be clear, I am not opposed to withdrawing troops from Iraq. The time for U.S. military operations in that country is coming to a close. The Iraqi government voted for our withdrawal, but should we completely wash our hands of their still-broken country?
I believe we are still liable for much of what happens in Iraq. Obama himself recently requested the Iraqi government allow U.S. troops to stay through New Year’s and continue stability operations.
He knows that complete withdrawal is not ideal for either Iraq or the U.S., so why did he back off his request? He’s up for re-election and knows the constituency wants out. Politicians are at our mercy, and unfortunately we refuse to acknowledge the mess we made.
Much of the instability that Iraq is currently facing can, in part, be traced back to the carelessness of the U.S. military under the Bush administration. After negligently leaving the door open for insurgents by not securing Iraq’s borders, we might as well have sent opposing forces personal invitations when we completely disbanded the state’s military and police forces, kicking 300,000 Iraqis to the curb.
My faith in the ability of current Iraqi peacekeeping forces to maintain control is shaky, at best. Since it’s our mess they are left to grapple with, we are responsible for seeing that Iraq’s forces succeed.
This is not to say we should impose ourselves upon them if we aren’t wanted. Insisting that we stay, even when we have been asked to leave, would only add to the aura of imperialism that unfortunately surrounds the U.S. at the moment.
I do, however, feel very strongly that we should continue to aid Iraqi forces in whatever areas they need. Whether it’s financing, arms, training or logistical and technical support, we should assist the transitioning nation however they allow us.
If there comes a time when additional men are needed, we should go back.
It is a common opinion in the U.S. that what happens beyond our borders is of no concern to us; I find this to be foolish and extremely short-sighted. The world is a much bigger place than we comprehend; the least we can do is pick up our trash.