Democrats and The Iraq Study Group Report

Perhaps this response is a tish late, but I'm going to make it anyways.

Democrats have been constantly citing The Iraq Study Group for what it says about there not being a "military solution to Iraq". All their talk prompted me to purchase the book and read it- cover to cover.

Below are a few points that the report makes that fly directly in the face of the Democrats who cite it:

The report states that the war has not been lost and that "all options have not been exhausted (pg x)". It warns that if change does not occur, "the consequences are severe (pg ix)". The consequences are described in further detail, "A slide toward chaos could trigger the collapse of Iraq's government and a humanitarian catastrophe. Neighboring countries could intervene. Sunni-Shia clashes could spread. Al Qaeda could win a propaganda victory and expand its base of operations (pg xiv)".

While the report states that the "United States must not make an open ended commitment to keep large numbers of American troops deployed in Iraq (pg xvi)", it also says "the United States should significantly increase the number of US military personnel, including combat troops, embedded in and supporting Iraqi Army units (pg xvi, and repeated again in different terms on pg 70, 73)".

Further commenting on the issue of Al Qaeda, "Al Qaeda will portray any failure by the United States in Iraq as a significant victory that will be featured prominently as they recruit for their cause in the region and around the world (pg 34)". Also, "Al Qaeda would depict our withdrawal as a historic victory. If we leave and Iraq descends into chaos, the long-range consequences could eventually require the United States to return (pg 38)".

As for their plans after a US withdrawal, they will attempt to "spread the jihad wave to the secular countries neighboring Iraq (pg 34)".

Even moderate proposals for timetables are rejected, "the point is not for the United States to set time tables or deadlines for withdrawal, an approach that we oppose (pg 67)".

The group clarifies that they "believe it would be wrong for the United States to abandon the country through a precipitate withdrawal of troops and support (pg 37)".

The book definitely describes some very difficult problems that we are facing in the country, but it definitely points us in a direction towards victory.

If only Democrats wanted us to win, maybe then they would recognize the numerous facts in the report that they continue to cite.