What are some of the moral and ethical questions that should guide deciding when we leave?
It’s not an easy question, certainly, to think practically about what to do. The ethical guidance that can be given is also not easy, in some ways, because maybe like the argument for the war itself, there are some good arguments on both sides. I think that the just war framework and the concept of justice after war put most of the weight on the side of saying there’s an obligation for the nations that started the war to try and see it through to a conclusion of stability, security, and reformed society for Iraq. I think, practically, the idea of quick and dramatic drawdown of troops would inflame the situation, make it worse. It seem that, you know, to have American troops there is still necessary for getting Iraqi army, police, security forces on their feet. The problem on the other side is it’s also pretty clear our presence is part of the inflaming of passions. It’s really unknown what would happen if we left. Would that take the power, the enemy out of the cause of the insurgency?
