When should we bring our troops home from Iraq - Essay Example

?IRAQ – When should we bring our troops home from Iraq? On 19th September 2005, in a joint press conference with then President George Bush, Jalal Talabani, the incumbent and 6th President of Iraq, was quoted saying that, “We will set no timetable for withdrawal, Mr. President. A timetable will help the terrorists, will encourage them that they could defeat the superpower of the world and the Iraqi people” (GOLIATH, 2005). 6 years, 455 Bn dollars and over 4421 military deaths later (Congressional Research Service, 2010), Mr. Talabani’s words on ‘timetable’ still hold true with the current 50,000 US military boots on the grounds of Iraq. Since its inception, Iraq war has been subjected to debates starting right from the justification of war, official and unofficial causes, foreign and homeland public support, and troops withdrawal. Even though a quasi-withdrawal deadline was set by the status of forces agreement to leave Iraq by 31 December 2011 (Congressional Research Service, 2009), but the realities behind the actual troop withdrawal are still mushy as described by Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates on April 7th 2011 (BBC News, 2011). The issue of troops withdrawal is not just a question of date but is a convoluted situation of geopolitics, business (read oil), foreign and humanitarian policy goals, insurgencies, stabilization and sustainability. It is worthwhile to note or contemplate on whether the troops should return from Iraq today, tomorrow or should have done it yesterday. America & Iraq – Looking back at past 8 years The Republic of Iraq, once a haven to the earliest civilizations (Mesopotamia) in the world, became a troubled shadow of its past with multi-ethnic clashes and violence, barbaric dictatorships, religious intolerances and fanaticism, social and economic divides and a rich reserve of “black gold”. On 20th March 2003, President Bush declared war against Iraq as American forces attached the middle-east nation from its southern border. Prior to the announcement, US had gathered international support and alliances with UK, Australia, Canada and Netherlands to fight Iraq. Reasons of combat intrusion of US allied forces in this Arab country have been debatable since the war started. The official rationalization of Operation Iraqi Freedom (official name of Iraq war) presented by US to the UN Security Council and by President Bush in his State of Union Address as (1) to destroy Saddam Hussain's (Reigning radical dictator of Iraq) weapons of mass destruction (WMD); (2) to eliminate the threat of international terrorism; and (3) to promote democracy in Iraq and surrounding areas (CNN, 2003). In coming years, these reasons would become the center of fierce debate and a liability for the Bush Administration to defend both to America and the rest of the world. Unofficial reasons why America was dragged into the center stage in Arab world are speculated to be (1) to control the oil reserves of Iraq, Israel-US relations (Perezalonso, 2006) and to make an American statement of influence in the Middle east. Whether the war was justified or not, America was in the middle of chaotic and emergency situation. Iraq witnessed Saddam Hussain’s capture in 2003, Evidence of American military personnel’s abuse and torture of prisoners in 2004, First Iraqi election in 2005, Saddam’s execution in 2005, Insurgency in 2007 and Stabilization efforts since 2008. The total cost of war was estimated to be 3 Trillion dollars (Washington Post, 2010). Apart from expected causalities and economic loss, the major consequences of the Iraq war have been (1) Deconstruction of Iraq (2) Possible radical empowerment of in Middle East and (3) US Hegemony at risk (Hinnebusch, 2007). The war was also a major cause of debate in US Elections 2008 and was one of the factors that led to elect of President Barack Obama. Should we bring our troops back home? Since the time, Bush Administration admitted that falsehood of Iraq’s possession of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) argument (Usborne, 2003), public support for the war has rocketed down and there has consistent demands of troops withdrawal from Iraq. Several arguments have been presented both for and against the withdrawal of troops. Of course, the graveness of question differs related to what timeframe we consider with respect to troops withdrawal eg. it would not have been advisable to withdraw troops during periods of insurgency (2007-2008) and political unrest in Iraq as withdrawal would have caused a further deconstruction of Iraqi society. Considering timeframe 2010-11, here are some of the arguments I present in favor and against troops withdrawal from Iraq. Arguments for bringing back troops home: 1. Economic Sustainability of the War In October, the Congressional Research Service estimated that in 2006, it cost $390,000 a year to sustain each American trooper overseas. The costs of war include not only financing troops in Iraq, but their healthcare burden in case of disabilities (about one-fifth of the troops return home seriously injured) and their/their families (re)placement expenses in the American economy. This financing is done through foreign debt and taxpayers money. Hence, it is safe to saw that the monetary burden of the war was in part the cause of financial crisis in 2008. With struggling American economy looming the burden of unemployment and lack of financial capital, it is financial unsustainable for America to be involved in such an expensive quest. 2. Obama’s foreign policy on Iraq Owing to mass causalities of US troops, unsustainable financing and a war with no apparent reason and prisoner abuse scandal, public support to Iraq war plummeted by 60% in just two years of military operations (AEI, 2007). In his election campaign, Obama garnered public votes after criticizing Bush administration’s decision to go on war. His foreign policy manifesto promised an immediate withdrawal of troops from the battlegrounds. Three years post presidential elections; Obama Administration is morally bound to adhere to their promises and his foreign policy on Iraq. 3. Rising Anti-Islam sentiments in US Iraq war, along with Afghan war is sometimes nicknamed as “Holy Wars”, depicting a fundamental East-West and Christian-Islamic divide in the world. Hence, as it raises anti-western sentiments in the host country, it is safe to say that the war has also provided fodder to an anti-Islam sentiment in US that is evident from recent hue and cry over Ground-Zero “Mosque” or more radical views amongst Americans. Pulling out troops and having a ceasefire situation would have a positive effect on this issue. Arguments against bringing back troops home: 1. Stability in Iraq As bad the Iraq war was for American public, the operation had both disastrous and certain beneficial effects (toppling of Saddam Hussain) on Iraqi people. The International Organization for Migration, IOM, estimated that in the four years 2006-2010, as many as 1.6 million Iraqis were internally displaced from their homes, representing 5.5% of the population. The Lancet journal in 2006 estimated that 654,965 Iraqis died during the war. Hence, war had a profound effect on the overall society in Iraq. Towards the end of the war, American troops have stopped combat fighting but are focusing on bringing stability in Iraq. The troops indulge in advising Iraq forces, protecting US interests, helping civilians build their lives, educating them about democracy, They are also important resources in case surges or internal terrorist threats such as those in 2008. Iraqi government currently does not have the capacity to deal with a civil war situation again or have another coup by corrupt leaders in Iraq. It could be speculated that a Sunni-Shiite war can implode that might be more disastrous for the nation. 2. The Iran Threat No American presence in Middle East would provide an additional leverage to radical extremists in the neighboring country Iran. Iran, governed by a controversial and anti-West leader, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is threatening world powers on potential nuclear strikes on Israel or other US allies (BBC, 2010). With Uranium enrichment deals signed with Turkey and Brazil and a disturbing agenda such as degradation of US and its allies can reverse all the development that America and UN has been doing in the region. In one of the interviews, Ahmadinejad offered Iran’s help to Iraq after US withdrawal and blamed US for causing instability in the region (Earth Times, 2007). Iran is also considered to be a terrorist sponsoring state in the region. Hence, a possible consequence of withdrawal of American forces to zero in Iraq would unquestionably strength Iran amongst its Shiite allies. 3. Speculative reason behind current democracy wave in the Arab world Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Libya, Ivory Coast are countries with one thing common – a recent upsurge of democracy. Each of these countries was subjected to decades of monarchy and narcissists reigns, until the citizens of the country came together to upthrow the incumbent and corrupt leaders. Even though, US did not expect this to happen, it can be speculated that the feeling of democracy, people’s government, awareness of public administration came from the after-war democratic notion of Iraq. Hence, if America can help Iraq build a stronger democratic nation, with intolerance towards terrorism, it will help build a role model to other nations in similar situations. Conclusion America is no stranger to having military operations on foreign lands, considering that throughout History, America has engaged itself in a number of foreign conflicts such as Korean War, Vietnam War and the Global war on Terror. We have extensive knowledge and understanding of the pros and cons of leaving host battlegrounds in a vulnerable state. Bibliography Usborne, D. (2003, May 30). WMD just a convenient excuse for war, admits Wolfowitz. Retrieved April 15, 2011, from Independent: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/wmd-just-a-convenient-excuse-for-war-admits-wolfowitz-539287.html Washington Post. (2010, September 5). The true cost of the Iraq war: $3 trillion and beyond. (J. E. Oped, Editor) Retrieved April 16, 2011, from Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/03/AR2010090302200.html AEI. (2007). In October, the Congressional Research Service estimated that in 2006 (the latest available figures), it cost $390,000 a year to sustain each American trooper overseas. . AEI PUBLIC OPINION STUDIES . American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research. BBC. (2010, May 20). Iran hit by fresh UN nuclear sanctions threat. Retrieved April 27, 2011, from BBC News: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10124238 BBC News. (2011, April 7). Robert Gates: US Iraq troops 'could stay longer'. Retrieved April 16, 2011, from BBC News: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12990912 CNN. (2003, January 23). Transcript of State of the Union. Retrieved April 16, 2011, from CNN: http://edition.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/01/28/sotu.transcript.8/index.html Congressional Research Service. (2009). U.S.-Iraq Withdrawal/Status of Forces Agreement: Issues for Congressional Oversight . Washington DC: Congressional Research Service for Congress. Congressional Research Service. (2010). The Cost of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Other Global War on Terror Operations Since 9/11 . Congressional Research Service, Washington DC. Earth Times. (2007, August 28). Iran ready to help Iraq after US withdrawal, says Ahmadinejad. Retrieved April 16, 2011, from Earth Times: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/99073.html GOLIATH. (2005, September 19). The President's news conference with President Jalal Talabani of the Iraqi Transitional Government. Retrieved April 16, 2011, from GOLIATH: http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-4836180/The-President-s-news-conference.html Hinnebusch, R. (2007, Spring). THE AMERICAN INVASION OF IRAQ: CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES. PERCEPTIONS , 12, pp. 17-21. Perezalonso, A. (2006, July 9). Not just about oil: capillary power relations in the US as the motives behind the 2003 war on Iraq . Peace and Development , 2,15. TIME . (2010, March 19). Seven Years in Iraq: An Iraq War Timeline. Retrieved April 16, 2011, from TIME: http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1967340_1967378,00.html Read More