Kev, what are you thoughts on the reports that the military is thinking about leaving al-Anbar? Seems like this could be viewed as a beginning of a phased withdraw, to me. I only see this contributing to more violence as the terrorists will view this as a victory.

Bourgeois_Rage Wrote:Kev, what are you thoughts on the reports that the military is thinking about leaving al-Anbar? Seems like this could be viewed as a beginning of a phased withdraw, to me. I only see this contributing to more violence as the terrorists will view this as a victory.

If Iraq steps up to the plate, I'm all for it. What you DON'T want to see is a coalition between Iraq and Iran. The Shi'ites will ally with the Iranians and the Sunnis will be slaughtered, along with the America-loving Kurds, Assyrians, and other non-Shi'ite Iraqi's. It would be a mistake to let that fool in Iran get a foothold in Iraq. The new Persian Empire would be upon us......with oil and nuclear technology.

RebelKev Wrote:If Iraq steps up to the plate, I'm all for it. What you DON'T want to see is a coalition between Iraq and Iran.

Well certainly that's been the stance for about the last year and half. Iraq steps up while the US steps down. From these reports, do you think Iraq is ready? Or do you think they are being tossed into the fire?

As a non-military guy, I would think the US should allow the Iraqis to step up in a less violent province, first, not the most violent.

Of course, this is not a sure thing at this point, rather it is a recommendation.