Let’s Not Lose Sight Of The Forest For The Trees
I know that for Republicans and conservatives who back President Bush and Senator McCain, it is more than a little dispiriting to read almost daily now how the Iraqi government has apparently decided, whether for political reasons or our of real conviction, to all but endorse Barack Obama. Today brought more stories in this vein:
The comments by spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh mark the second time in recent days that a senior Iraqi has endorsed a timetable for U.S. withdrawal that is roughly similar to the one advocated by Obama. Dabbagh suggested that a combat force pullout could be completed by the end of 2010, which would be about seven months longer than Obama’s 16-month formulation.
Dabbagh made the statement after Obama’s meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who has faced pressure from the White House in recent days to clarify published comments that he supported Obama’s 16-month plan.
Dabbagh said that his government is working “on a real timetable which Iraqis set” and that the 2010 deadline is “an Iraqi vision.”
“We can’t give any schedules or dates, but the Iraqi government sees the suitable date for withdrawal of the U.S. forces is by the end of 2010,” he told reporters.
Let’s play a little make-believe, though. IF Barack Obama is elected president (not a stretch), and IF the Iraqi government still wants us out that early even after their elections (and ours), that’s not a bad thing…provided one more IF takes place. IF the Iraqis are able to stand on their feet without our presence…
In point of fact, the mere existence of such talk is an EXTREMELY positive indicator that things in Iraq are going very well, indeed. I would hope that the Iraqis are not foolish enough to push for a withdrawal if, when the time comes, they are not ready themselves. I would also hope that Barack Obama is smart enough to push his ‘16 months’ as a goal, not a firm plan. I’m not convinced of either, but I would hope…
Clearly, though, we are reaching the end of the Iraq War, for better or worse. Oh, two years sounds like a long time, but we’ve been in Iraq for over 5…and we really must get on top of the Afghanistan situation again. So to my fellow Republicans, I say: from a partisan standpoint, these statements from the Iraqis are, yes, extremely frustrating…but from the far more important standpoint of our efforts in Iraq, they are a vindication of our recent strategy…
I’m flabbergasted by the way conservatives have reacted to all of this talk from Maliki’s government. How many times does everyone have to say this to you before it sinks in? We are making the situation in Iraq worse, and they want us to leave because they don’t like us occupying their territory. It’s not a “vindication” of our “strategy” when – whether for electoral politics reasons or any other kind – the leader of Iraq tells us to kindly get the hell out.
And it’s just plain not our job to say things as profoundly and jaw-droppingly arrogant as “I would hope that the Iraqis are not foolish enough to push for a withdrawal if, when the time comes, they are not ready themselves.” Seriously, Mark, the only rational response a citizen of Iraq could have to a statement like that is “fu** you”. You don’t get to tell the democratically-elected governments of other countries when they are or are not ready to be free of our troops. And you certainly don’t get to tell the voters of those countries. Nor does George Bush, or John McCain, or anyone else. Iraqis are people, not possessions.
We are not making the situation worse by any logical, reasonable, and responsible measure of such things.
Mark: you don’t speak for me when you talk about being “dispirited”. Then again, I’m not much of McCain supporter.
How are we making things worse?
Now, today. Not last year or 2006 or 2003.
We are making things worse by occupying a country full of people who clearly do not want us there. Let’s set aside “benchmarks” for a second and try to think clearly about the self-determination we’ve tried so hard to pretend we want for the Iraqi people. They are trying to exercise it and conservative bloggers, of all people, have the nerve to tell them they aren’t “ready”.
This cultural chauvinism is mind-boggling. If the Chinese army invaded the US mainland and proceeded to tell us they would leave when we’re ready to govern ourselves regardless of our wishes, you guys (and I) would go absolutely ballistic. It is no one’s business but ours when we get to govern ourselves. The very idea that we have the authority to tell the Iraqis we’ll leave when we’re good and ready or to question their ability to govern themselves is downright Kipling-esque.
This is a basic moral question – should the Iraqi government have the authority to govern the affairs of Iraq? This isn’t a tough one.
Ryan, the fact that you refuse to recognize the changed situation in Iraq is what is flabbergasting to me. The Iraqi government has not asked us to get out, believe it or not. They are talking about a timetable that is at the end of 2010.
This is not news that is hidden from sight. It is available to anyone who can read.
You’re smarter than this. Dial down the outrage and keep up with current events…
And ‘ready’ is not a cultural benchmark – it is a military one. Are they ready to take on the role of defending their country from enemies within and without?
No one is trying to turn Baghdad into Hollywood and Vine…you’re trashing a strawman…
Finally, who the hell do you think we’re negotiating with if not the elected government of Iraq?…
Mark, we are negotiating with the government of Iraq. And I realize we have not been asked to leave just yet, but if the duly-elected leader of Iraq tells us to leave by 2010, it is no longer our right – or yours, from your keyboard – to tell the people of Iraq whether they’re “ready” or not.
This has nothing to do with my “refusal” to recognize the military situation in Iraq. My point is that Iraq is not some protectorate or colony of the United States. When they tell us to leave, that is precisely what we are obligated to do. And the security situation is entirely irrelevant at that point.
I have stated on at least 3 or 4 occasions in recent posts that we have to respect Iraq’s sovereignty. There’s no way you, as a regular reader, could have missed it…