The argument that the only options available to the United States in Iraq are to "Stay the Course" taking pointless casualties, or, "Cut & Run" turning the Middle East over to the vicious ministrations of Islamic murderers is patent nonsense. "Stay the Course" fits one definition of insanity; "repeating the same action over and over and expecting a different outcome." A drastic change of course was long ago indicated..                            
I have repeatedly written that the wisest change of course is to immediately take two concerted precise actions:
1. All Allied Forces, withdraw to a strategic position within Iraq, possibly on the Syrian border at the Euphrates River (at the option of the military) and set up an impregnable fortified base with electronic and aerial surveillance.
2. Blanket the Iraqi broadcast facilities with the following message. "Iraq now has a democratically Elected Government. Pacification and reconstruction are the responsibility of the Iraqi government. Allied Forces will provide military assistance to the Elected Government if requested, but will not otherwise interfere. The Iraqi people are free to settle disputes within the framework of their Elected Government. If the Elected Government is overthrown by violence, Allied Forces will return to smash any opposition. Further, Allied Forces will leave when the Elected Government determines there is no longer any need."

Such a strategy removes the focus on Americans as occupiers, and refocuses on Iraqi self-determination. The key phrase is "Elected Government."  It guarantees that any effort to promote a civil war is profitless and ultimately doomed to failure. It virtually eliminates further Allied casualties. It is probable that Iraqi casualties will continue until the wisdom of political-process-cooperation becomes apparent to enough Iraqi. Foreign agents of dissension can then be identified and neutralized. All of these are solely Iraqi problems, not ours.

It would be absurd to believe that Peace is a viable objective. Power struggles are a fact of human life. The real objective could be to make most people aware that under a democratic form of government, thru the mechanism of free elections, ultimate power can be reserved to the people collectively, and not to a self anointed elite.

If the Iraqi cannot come to an agreeable compromise of their differences, Allied Forces can remain for an indefinite time at a minimum of cost, which cost could, and should be, covered by sales of Iraqi oil. After all it is a service to the Iraqi.
 
This is a practical strategy for the defense of America in this changing world.
Looking beyond Iraq, it is possible to project American influence over a wider area of the Middle East and beyond. There is an ongoing and implacable struggle over the "correct" religious philosophy. The absolutist doctrines of major religions will remain in conflict, and clash, as long as international commerce causes interaction among the differing cultures.   Even within the United States, fundamentalists never cease to seek to instate religious bias into the laws of the land, and the functions of government. As long as religious doctrines are rigid, illogical, and incompatible, there are only three possible solutions,
1. secularity in government, or
2. isolation of incompatible cultural groups, or
3. complete eradication of opposition.
Planting the seeds of the concept of secular government, of maintaining a balance of power, and of reserving matters of faith to each individual, is the only logical solution.

Bungling is not an option.  America must be clear on its objectives and speak with one voice.  A successful management of the Iraqi situation in which the United States projects both power and logic into the Middle East would restore respect for America and for this Administration.  

R C R - Veteran WWII