Pulling out of Iraq, by the numbers

So, time to begin what I would consider one of my first "politics" entries, to describe current events and my reactions. Let me start by putting this out there: I hate politics. Today's American political system may be somewhat functional, but it's nowhere near perfect. The idea that elected officials are always thinking about the will of their voters, and not about their image in the next election, is laughable. I would consider myself a leftist moderate; neither the Republicans nor the Democrats really represent my ideals. With that context, here's whats been happening lately.

In the past few weeks, Democrats in Federal Congress have been feebly attempting to push through resolutions that will set a calendar timetable on the number of troops in Iraq. On the one hand, I disagree that a calendar timetable is the right idea. If all troops are out of Iraq by July 2007 and there aren't enough Iraqi law enforcers by that time, then there will be civil war in August and a new anti-American extremist Islamic regime in power by October. The entire American effort would be in vain. Calling the Democrat movement "surrendering" or "turning tail and running" is not an accurate description of their goal. However, a calendar timetable is the wrong direction.

On the other hand, this conflict brought about the implication that Bush's strategy was an open-ended invitation to military support. If that's really the president's strategy, he'd better re-think it, and quickly. We need to nurture the Iraqi democracy and see that it has a fighting chance, but we don't need to stay forever. I could foresee having permanent military outposts there, as in Germany and South Korea; that would make strategic sense. However, there should be a tangible end to our occupation. And given the current situation, if it were more than two years from now, then we have out-stayed our welcome by that point.

From Bloomberg: Bush Says Troop Pullout Depends on Iraqi Strength, Security. This news article suggests to me that Bush has the right idea. Start gradually lowering our troop levels, based on the capability of the Iraqi police forces. Use people like GEN Casey to judge the situation and decide whether the next brigade to be deployed is really necessary. Where Iraqi training platoons are currently about 50% Iraqi, 50% American, start tipping that ratio. Let the Iraqi military start taking the lead, taking on the brunt of the work, with minimal American support. In two years or less, I think they would be completely self-sufficient. In short, set up a timetable based not on the calendar, but on the ability of Iraqi forces to defend their government. And this article suggests that Bush is trying to do just that. (Now, the fact that he "may" be lining this up to coincide with the elections in November... that's where I get cynical about American politics.) Thats my 2 cents.