Politics

A More Nuanced Approach to Resolving the Iraq Quagmire

By Hank Johnson

It is now common knowledge that Iraq has become an unfortunate quagmire. We all tend to agree on this point; we just disagree on how to rectify this situation. Poor planning has brought us here so it only makes sense to ensure poor planning does not keep us on this path. 

It is also becoming common knowledge that we need to focus more on enabling the political process in Iraq and less on enabling a burgeoning civil war. I desire victory in Iraq as much as the President but, in my humble view, his plan will not bring us to that goal. As a result, I would find it difficult to support a continuation of this flawed thinking. I believe we need a new strategy based on the needs of a constantly evolving situation.

At this point in Iraq’s troubled history, there are two major issues that need to be addressed: lessening the presence of U.S. troops on Iraqi streets to stem violence resulting from the perception of provocation and ensuring the Iraqi government has some semblance of stability to function properly and establish an adequate foundation. As a result of the lack of focus on these tenets, we have the current unsustainable situation to contend with. So what must we do now?

In keeping with the proper role of Congress in the prosecution of this war, first and foremost, we must seriously consider withholding funding to execute a flawed plan – as long as our troops won’t be endangered by such an action. Second, we must take the opportunity to speak for our constituents and make recommendations to the Administration based on their concerns. Therefore, I have introduced a resolution that officially recommends the Administration effectively take the targets off of the backs of our brave troops and pull them off of street patrol duty. Over four years into this war, this should be the sole function of those Iraqi troops ready to take on the task. Even if they are not fully ready, a credible argument can be and has been made that the violence will be significantly reduced with the reduction of U.S. troop presence. These troops should, in turn, be used to fortify the Iraqi government, allowing it to function more efficiently and provide the country with the strong central government it needs.

Maybe more importantly, we need to pay a debt we owe to innocent Iraqi civilians. We owe them what they have yet to receive since the beginning of American intervention – the ability to purchase food at the local market for their families without the fear of being blown up. Any unbiased observer of the Iraq situation would be hard pressed to legitimately argue that our current plan is truly making the streets of Iraq safer.

The instability of that region does not allow me to guarantee victory under any circumstances, but I am comfortable guaranteeing that the enactment of this plan would ensure less American flag-draped coffins and provide the mechanisms for an eventual resolution to this conflict – if an acceptable one is indeed possible.

Let’s continue to work together to bring new ideas to the table and make them heard.  Your comments are welcome.

21 Comments

Full post as published by Hank Johnson's Blog on February 08, 2007 (boomark / email).