Reply #87: No, I understand perfectly well the concept of face vis-a-vis the ME [View All]

[MadHound]

And by continuing to occupy Iraq, our "face" in the ME diminishes each and every day. We had the reputation of a semi-honest broker in the ME, in fact we had enough "face" that we could bring about ME peace talks on a number of different occaisions. No more, for we our losing our status, our reputation each and every day that we remain in Iraq.

And I think that you are mistaken in thinking that we will invite more attacks here at home by pulling out of Iraq. In fact, as demonstrated by the London bombings, the longer we stay in Iraq, the longer that we piss people off in the ME, then the greater the chances are that we will be inviting more attacks here on our soil.

The people of the ME realize that we're the 800 pound gorilla of the world, and they aren't going to mistake our pulling out of Iraq as being motivated by weakness on our part. The only things that motivates the terrorists is fear and anger. Fear that we will continue to occupy Iraq, and go on to invade other ME countries, and anger at the death and destruction that we have already wrought.

Terrorism is the way that the militarily weak wage war against a stronger foe. If we pull out of Iraq, and make proper reparations to the Iraqi people, such a move will go a long way to quelling these people's fear and loathing. Staying in Iraq will do completely the opposite.