Hi, Everyone. I've seen #47567 Posted by Wes Clark on December 6, 2005 - 5:11pm.

Hi, Everyone. I've seen several of you out on the blogs today, and I just wanted to come on line and answer a few questions. Wes

Here's my thinking. This #47580 Posted by Wes Clark on December 6, 2005 - 5:31pm.

Here's my thinking. This is really the first time I have tried to formulate this, so consider this as a draft that I may have to come back and amend somewhat. But let me put the bottom line up front: No, it's not yet too late to try to straighten out the policy and strategies in Iraq and the region.

The first window closes when we've lost the ability to influence the Iraqis politically. Because you really can't win militarily. So, the trick is to use the military presence and the economic asssitance to create the political leverage on the Iraqis to change the constitution, reduce the sectarianism, readmit the insurgents, etc....when there's no ability left to influence them, then the first window has closed....(for example, there's a four month window after the election when the consitution can be changed by majority vote, which may be one of the key factors driving the timing)...at that point, we have to look at our other interests in the region, and assess whether staying in Iraq helps or harms them...those other interests include the terrorists, (Al Qaeda), and Iran's nuclear and hegemonic ambitions, and whether our presence there is overall doing us more harm than good. The second window closes if they tell us to leave. At that point, staying is tantamount to invading.

The window hasn't closed #47584 Posted by Wes Clark on December 6, 2005 - 5:35pm.

The window hasn't closed yet. It closes when we've lost the ability to influence the Iraqis politically, or when they ask us to leave. Remember, we have interests in the region besides Iraqi democracy, including how we go after the terrorists, and what the impact of our pullback might be on them, and also the impact of US presence and actions on Iran.

I know people are getting impatient, but, we have to drive the policy by our needs and capabilities in the region, not by domestic US concerns....and there is still the opportunity to achieve something more positive than could be accomplished by simply withdrawing.

As for a fallback position, #47589
Posted by Wes Clark on December 6, 2005 - 5:42pm.

As for a fallback position, what I've laid out are three sets of military tasks that must be accomplished in order to get this right. As the tasks are done, it is possible to draw down troops...but if the Iraqis ask us to leave, then we would simply execute a phased withdrawal, absent other compelling reaons to stay and recognizing that to remain inside a sovereign state against its will is tantamount to a continuing invasion and unsuported by law.

To remove 160,000 troops and alll the millions of tons of stuff will take months, by the way. Our retrograde from Saudi Arabia after the Gulf War took three or four months for the troops and more than a year for the equipment. And although we had three times as many troops there, we probably didnt have as much "stuff" Soldiers are living in barracks, and they have PX's and dining facilities, and some have stuff in their rooms...and units have tons of logistics like spares and tools that have to go along. Pulling back won't be that easy....

Will be back tomorrow #47678
Posted by Wes Clark on December 6, 2005 - 7:56pm.

Thank you for the great questions. I will be back tomorrow at 2pm CT.