'This result is nothing to fear or regret. ' From A Soldier In Iraq

Rational

Disengagement: An

Exit Policy Proposal

Link Here

As there is little national discussion on “Rational Disengagement” occurring in this country, Sgt. Nicholas Pulliam stationed in Iraq and Brian T. Hart, both from Massachusetts, have decided to start a discussion of their own.

We encourage others to join us. Perhaps a rational grass roots discussion will turn into a grass fire.

As American’s we embrace the opportunity to advance the Nation’s consciousness together.

Sincerely,
Brian T. Hart
October 10, 2005

Here is the letter I received today from Sgt. Nicholas Pulliam.


Rational Disengagement: An Exit Policy Proposal

“These views on how I think we can end our entanglement with Iraq are a response to a letter I received from Brian Hart regarding what is to be done in Iraq to protect US soldiers and to ultimately disengage from Iraq. I have named this approach “rational disengagement” and hope that it can get some politicians motivated to start the dialog.

I think our best way out of Iraq now is to let the ratification of the constitution play-out in October, 2005 (it will pass the popular vote by most accounts). Within 3 months declare the Iraqi forces "competent" to keep the peace and disengage from the region leaving Iraqi security entirely to the Iraqis. American troop withdrawals would begin rapidly and be complete before September, 2006.

This tactic was used in Vietnam and the situation there rapidly fell apart after the US forces left South Vietnam. I would expect a similar result in Iraq with whatever the strongest faction (currently the Shias) getting the lions share of the country. This result is nothing to fear or regret.

America has lived with a united and antagonistic Vietnam for 30 years, but who has suffered by this estranged relationship? Some business interests to be sure and the Vietnamese people certainly did not attain a democratic government, but was one ever a real possibility in the short term? At least no Americans died in Vietnam after 1975 (hopefully). Today relations between the US and Vietnam, though still strained, are improving and there is room for optimism in even better relations in the future.

Iraq does have huge oil reserves, quite unlike Vietnam, but whose interest is it in that the Iraqis don’t sell the oil to the US? The oil will flow regardless of who runs the country, just look towards Iran and see an anti-American theocracy perfectly happy to trade oil on the world market. Some specific business interests may be hurt by a political realignment of Iraq, but will the average American feel some oil baron’s pain? Not likely.

Iraq will have some very hard times to follow our disengagement, but I see this as inevitable anyway so why should we (Americans) continue to bleed only to prolong the pain that is coming. I don't view this as defeatism, I view it as rationalism. I will also state that I do believe some good for the people of Iraq can still be had from our invasion and occupation. The ideas, and even the mechanics, of democracy are planted and hopefully, given time, some form of democracy can thrive in Iraq, but that is entirely up to the peoples of Iraq. Additionally, removing an entrenched despot like Saddam Hussein gives democracy a better chance to sprout, even if anarchy, civil war and national partition is the ultimate cost for their better future.

Finally, I would like to state that I am no politician, nor a so-called “expert’ talking head. I am just an American citizen-soldier who wants to see an end to this hemorrhaging and get back to my life away from Iraq. So far our politicians have refused to propose an exit strategy, well I present my own knowing full-well that it is simplistic and painted for you with a broad brush, but we need to start somewhere, we need to save our soldier’s futures, they deserve nothing less from us and the time to do it is NOW. So please spread the word about “rational disengagement” and get people motivated to save American lives.”

Sgt. Nicholas D. Pulliam
Al Taqaddum, Iraq.