The Case for Withdrawal

One of the many I have read, this one from Sic Semper Tyrannis, I agree with several of the numbered points in one form or another. The points do not address what would be the "on-the-ground" in Iraq situation if we were to withdrawal besides the regional hegemony of Iran; I believe that that issue is the crux of the argument. All the bullet points may or may not come to pass, but the Void is what matters.

Then of course we have the Israeli Likudnik plan - which is to provide the demonic enemy with which the NeoCons have conjured with. If one listens to them one would think that Hamas, Hezbollah, Syria, Iran, the Taliban, Al Qaeeda, the muslim brotherhood, and the rest of these organisations are part of the evil Islam Inc. which is plotting to take over the known universe, controlled by a group of bearded and bejwelled fiends living in a cave high in the mountains of Iran, even now plotting the destruction of Peoria or some place.

If America backs out of the middle east leaving Iran intact, the following will happen:

1. Iran is now the recognised regional power in the Middle East and will have a very large say in dictating what happens to the remains of Iraq.

2. Israel will be faced with the need to make some form of accomodation (sic) with the Islamic powers in the region.

3. Successive Congresses will bind the President and the military industrial complex hand and foot to prevent a repeat of this folly.

4. Right wing thinktanks and their associated pundits will be discredited.

5. Congress will have to reform taxation to pay for the war (remember when Iraqi Oil revenue was supposed to cover the cost of all this?)

6. A decade of soul searching and reform about the electoral system, the media, campaign finance, lobbying and similar issues will occur - sharply reducing the powers of the current ruling class to manipulate Americans so easily.

Point 6 seems a bit idealistic, inspite of the recent Democratic victory, I have no doubt that the general populace is either too disaffected or unintterested to take any step so dramatic.