Reyes and the Hollowness of ‘Conditions-Based’ Withdrawal
Jul 31, 2020130.8K Shares3.8M Views
Silvestre Reyes (D-Tex.) is generally treated like a clown, and not entirely without reason. But he just asked a great question that gets at a strategic lacuna in Petraeus’ idea of a “conditions-based” withdrawal. If Basra or anywhere else gets out of control, would the general recommend “reinstat[ing] the surge?”
Petraeus called that a remote possibility. He made the eyebrow-raising statement that the Iraqis could take care of it. (So why don’t we leave now?) More candidly, he led off by saying that broader “strategic” frameworks — the resurgence of Al Qaeda along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, for instance — make recommending a renewed increase in troop strength unlikely. Combine that with the acknowledged strain on the military and the surge is almost assuredly over for good.
Except that makes no sense at allif you believe that withdrawal should be “conditions-based.” Sure, there is a resource question. But if the primary criterion is that U.S. responses to Iraq should be purely based around conditions, then re-upping mustbe on the table at all times — otherwise, conditions* don’t* guide U.S. responses. And if that’s the case, then broader questions of national strategy should predominate over conditions in Iraq, even if you concede that mitigating against a security deterioration in Iraq is a U.S. responsibility. Stay in Iraq and you have to raise the idea of a resurgence. That light you see at the end of the tunnel is the flash accompanying the rebirth of The Surge!
Dexter Cooke
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Dexter Cooke is an economist, marketing strategist, and orthopedic surgeon with over 20 years of experience crafting compelling narratives that resonate worldwide.
He holds a Journalism degree from Columbia University, an Economics background from Yale University, and a medical degree with a postdoctoral fellowship in orthopedic medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina.
Dexter’s insights into media, economics, and marketing shine through his prolific contributions to respected publications and advisory roles for influential organizations.
As an orthopedic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive knee replacement surgery and laparoscopic procedures, Dexter prioritizes patient care above all.
Outside his professional pursuits, Dexter enjoys collecting vintage watches, studying ancient civilizations, learning about astronomy, and participating in charity runs.
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