Withdrawal from Iraq, is it for real?

The Iraqi Parliament has announced that US troops are to withdraw from the country by 2011. Finally there is a comprehensive plan to pull out of Iraq, the end of the war is in sight! And although there is no doubt that the US army must begin to withdraw, how smooth will the transition be? Will Iraqis be able to control domestic and external insurgency, run a Democratic government, and begin Iraq's vast reconstruction? Although the government, the military, and police forces are being trained by the United States, and have shown great progress- the current situation does not point at great success.

With major sectarian conflict and divide impairing the army's ability to protect its people, the US cannot simply withdraw and leave Iraqis without protection. For example, there are army divisions that are exclusively Kurdish, and Shiite forces have been known to set out rogue missions against their Sunni counterparts. There are shortages of qualified soldiers and the army acts as separate battalions rather than a cohesive force that is ready to protect its people without the help of US specialists and intelligence.

Iraq's economy is also an issue to be discussed. They still do not have oil laws, plans to improve their resources, or plans to spend their revenues on the Iraqi people. Unemployment rates are at a record breaking high and Iraq is battling a humanitarian crisis.

So although US troops are not popular with Iraqi people, and Americans are eager to get their troops back home- where do we draw the line? How ready should be in order for us to leave in good conscious? The United States must wait until Iraq's situation (economically, politically, and militaristic) improves, and they are ready for full sovereignty. If the transition does not occur smoothly, religious divide and anger from the Iraqi people will lead to terror and insurgency. A lack of authority will create a breeding ground and safe haven for terrorists.