Reply #74: The problem with this issue is--there are no good options.

[bklyncowgirl]

The analogy I see is not so much the US withdrawal from Vietnam but the Soviet withdrawal from Afganistan.

The Russians pulled out. The US who had backed the Mujahadeen took absolutely no interest in the fate of Afganistan once the Soviets were gone. Civil war ensued and the most radical factions of the Mujahadeen, all very well trained by the CIA, took charge, eventually provided a safe haven for Osama Bin Laden and Al Queda.

The obvious thing to do would be for a combination of international peacekeeping forces, and Iraqi sequrity forces, to replace US troops who would gradually be phased out. Unfortunately, Bush has alienated the international community who do believe in the Pottery Barn rule even if Americans don't. They ain't coming to our rescue anytime soon.

Actually, I think that Bush is hoping that things will settle down to a manageable level of chaos so that he can declare victory and move on to other conquests just like he did in Afganistan. As horrible as Iraq is, do you really think this administration will stop there?