A Newer World expresses my opinion on Iraq in many ways as well as I could myself:
I have always been troubled by the claim that ending the U.S. occupation of Iraq will end the war there. If, as some claim, no one advocating immediate withdrawal thinks that this will end the war in Iraq, then why are groups like United for Peace and Justice using the slogans “Stop the War in Iraq†and “End the War on Iraq�
[…]
The evidence is overwhelming that staying in Iraq, at least for the short-term, is absolutely necessary to give Iraqis even a sliver of chance for peace and prosperity. Like it or not, the United States military is the only entity preventing Iraq from disintegrating socially, economically, and geographically. As I wrote before, “leaving now will lead to the breakup of Iraq, possible Sunni extermination, and an Iranian-backed Shiite theocracy.â€
The recognition that we must retain a substantial military presence in Iraq for the foreseeable future is important but so is the understanding that simplistic rhetoric (“End the War!”) is not productive.
Check this post out.
Why should we leave now? There are still many young Iraqi men of the rifle-toting age alive.
We really ought to stay until things are “secure,” and there remains only the docile strain of Iraqi man, as well as the women and children. (Well, most of them. Whatever’s left.)