Let's announce a timetable for troop withdrawal....

[catnhatnh]

...I've given this some thought. Basically there are just three possible courses of action then open to the "insurgents".

1.The insurgents step up attacks immediately. This brings the maximum number of the "enemy" into contact with the maximum possible number of US troops-if their intention is in fact to kill just US "invaders" then the lack of a timetable will merely leave them lacking info on drawdown rates, delaying the attacks until they face LESS US troops.

2.The attacks remain constant. No net effect. Iraqi coalition troops train as they will have to fight, with the added impetus of timeframe awareness.

3.The "insurgents" lessen or cease all attacks to build strength. This course is a two edged knife.Waiting allows the "enemy" to build and plan,but their plan would have them facing a trained and well equipped Iraqi army that would have majority Iraqi support-in short they would have to shift from guerrilla to conventional warfare (lacking the support of the common people) for which they are poorly equipped or organized.

My conclusion is that announcing a timetable would be a plus factor in a US withdrawal strategy and needs further discussion in Congress.

[Neocondriac]

1. This Sunday between 2pm -4pm.

There will be a civil war there whether we leave now or in ten years.The Brits tried to enslave, errrr free the Iraqis in the twenties and the place melted down into civil war. Read something someday George!

[ananda]

2. This weekend..

sounds good to me.

All out by Sunday evening.

[Tom Joad]

3. Some insurgent groups have announced a planned cease fire

when (there is no if, the invaders will be forced out!) the US and British troops leave.

I think it is deplorable to hear folks like Wes & Kerry (who were both AWOL when we marched against this war... and still are AWOL when we march against this imperialistic adventure) say that we can't withdraw immediately, that we must have benchmarks for *success* in Iraq, and then maybe withdraw by the end of 2006. With "friends" like that, the troops and the Iraqi people are doomed to months more of this madness.

[catnhatnh]

4. Selfish self-kick...N/T