Talk of setting a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq has gone on for years. In September 2004, White House candidate John Kerry's goal was to bring the troops home in his first term, while President Bush resisted setting deadlines. In the 2008 race, it's much the same: Barack Obama says it's possible to safely redeploy U.S. combat brigades in 16 months, while John McCain has steadfastly opposed scheduling a withdrawal, although he also has said that most American troops would be home by 2013.
What has changed is Iraq Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's new insistence on a timetable. It comes as the Bush administration seeks a deal with Iraq to formally authorize a wide-open, ongoing U.S. troop presence. Some sort of agreement is needed because the U.N. mandate for American-led military operations runs out at year's end.
The Bush administration should recognize that it has an obligation to outline a timetable for the orderly withdrawal of troops. The timetable can be adjusted if circumstances warrant, but the American public, the people of Iraq and their government deserve to know U.S. plans ...
... it's hard to see the purpose served by continuing to place U.S. soldiers in harm's way ...
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