Gregory Djerejian has a rather rant-like but entirely spot on post up looking at the ease with which some would try and declare victory in Iraq, even to the point of defining that victory down to some sort of politically acceptable level. And he links to some others who have some very valuable words to suggest as well. Of special note is a piece by Henry Kissinger discussing acceptable exit strategies,
Though often put into technical terms, the issue is not the mechanics of withdrawal. Rather the debate should be over consequences – whether, in the end, withdrawal will be perceived as a forced retreat or as an aspect of a prudent and carefully planned move on behalf of international security.
In other words, let's stop any discussion that smells anything like Nixon's "peace with honor." That was a nice way of saying, we know we lost but how do we still try and save some face? There is no need to take that stance now if we are prepared to truly win. But we must be prepared. Djerejian says much of this far better than I so let me just leave you with a summation point from him and then you can go a read the rest (please.)
...what I've tried to project in this blog is that real victory in Iraq cannot be measured for years yet, and patience and fortitude and the long view are absolute prerequisites to getting to the finish line. Empty talk re: how victory today doesn't include parades down the Champs Elysees, or defining victory down so that it constitutes little more than an Iraq wracked by endemic violence in some civil-war era Lebanon-like scenario...it's certainly not doing anyone favors in terms of serious policy debate in places like Washington and New York. Certainly not regarding how to carry this massive Iraq project--one still fraught with such peril--forward to a successful conclusion.
Indeed (as Glenn Reynolds might say.) Let us quit talking about how to withdraw and instead discuss how to win. Once we know we have won, then we can begin considering how to withdraw. Putting the cart before the horse does not work. But the American public, the Iraqi people and the rest of the world need to be prepared for that, and it may be something that does not happen in 2006. Victory is not just around the corner, but it is within reach if we choose to follow a winning path. I'll borrow Ledeen's phrase and say...more please. That is all.
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