Americans Want Troops Out Of Iraq

A couple of weeks ago the United States withdrew what it said were the last "combat troops" from Iraq. But there are still 50,000 troops in Iraq and it's hard to believe they are all there for "training" purposes. President Obama has said these 50,000 will all leave Iraq by the end of 2011, but both the American military and the Iraqi military don't see that timetable as an achievable goal. They believe more time will be needed before American troops are needed.

But they may not have any more time. A recent Gallup poll shows a majority of the American people (55%) think the Iraqi war was a mistake (see chart above), and a majority (53%) believe history will judge the Iraq war as a failure for the United States. An even larger majority (63%) would oppose American troops once again taking part in combat operations there, and a majority (53%) want the U.S. to stick to the current timetable -- even if it turns out the Iraqi troops can't handle the job they've been handed (and 61% believe they won't be able to handle the job).

To be frank, the American people no longer believe we are accomplishing anything in Iraq and are not willing to continue the war past 2011. They want the war over, whether it is won or not, and all the troops to come home. They know that Bush involved this country in a no-win situation in Iraq and Obama has not been able to do any better.

Personally, I don't know why we must spend more than another year in that country. Another year is not going to accomplish anything. The troops should be brought home immediately, and the Iraqis should be left alone to solve their own problems.