Those Who Fail To Learn The Lessons of History

An Iraq Debate
Congress generates heat, but not many alternatives.

Saturday, June 17, 2006; A18

The truth is that U.S. generals in Iraq and the new democratic Iraqi government share with politicians here a desire for U.S. troops gradually to diminish their presence. They share, too, an understanding of what needs to be done for that to happen: continued training of Iraqi soldiers and police; disarming of sectarian militias; better provision of electricity and other daily necessities, and shaping the political structure to guarantee every region a fair share of oil revenue. Given the dire circumstances in Iraq today, if progress isn't made on those fronts, there may be little that U.S. troops will be able to contribute.

If progress does take place, though, it will be fragile. The succeeding six months will be crucial, too, and so will the six months after that. U.S. troops will still be needed, if in lower numbers and altered roles. That's why it remains prudent to focus on a goal and not a timetable.

The WaPo is ahistorical. The ending of this saga will look like a helicopter from the roof of the US Embassy in Saigon. We've already been down this road, fellas.