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Originally Posted by bluenoser
I think that the best, and only way is for the USA to set a definte timetable to withdraw. Say 1 year, and then take steps from this point on to make that transition as smooth as possible.
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The only problem with a published timetable is that it gives the insurgents too much information. Let's assume that it is 1 year from today. The insurgents would likely pull back and start stockpiling weapons. This causes the coalition and Iraqis to declare victory (and perhaps become complacent). Then in February, 2007, when the coalition troops are out of the way, they launch an all-out offensive against the Iraqi government which hasn't trained their troops as much as they should have (beleiving that they'd won). Of course the insurgents could do this anyway, but they wouldn't have any idea how long they'd have to wait before the coalition left.
Perhaps a secret timetable would work (perhaps one already exists), but it would still have to be subject to Iraq's ability to defend itself.
Bottom line is that you don't give any information to the enemy if you can avoid it. That is why no timetable is available to the public, and why it shouldn't be.
-- Jeff