November 24, 2006
President Bush meets with Iraqi president Maliki next week. He may give Maliki news about an intended American withdrawal. It probably won’t be within six months, but it may be soon. Here’s what Max Boot writes about this in the Los Angeles Times: “Many Americans have been wondering why so many Iraqis are willing to fight for militias and terrorist groups but not for the American-backed government. Look at it from their perspective. Would you stake your life on a regime whose existence depends on Washington's continuing support? Given our long, shameful record of leaving allies in the lurch, that has never seemed to be a smart bet.”
Max Boot then recounts a long list of incidents dating back to the Barbary pirates in which America has abandoned friends and allies.
Abandoning Iraq before the job is done will further encourage those who hate us to come after us here. If we need more troops to secure the country, they should be sent, but premature withdrawal is a fool’s bargain.
Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.
