U.S. role in Iraq is crucial

U.S. role in Iraq is crucial

Kansas City Star: A series of bombings Wednesday in Baghdad provided an additional reminder that getting U.S. troops out of Iraq will be treacherous.

The six massive blasts, one near the Foreign Ministry, another near the Finance Ministry, killed at least 95 people and wounded more than 500 others. They came in an already bloody spell; 14 bomb attacks since July 28 have killed more than 220 Iraqis.

Clearly, the security advances of the last year did not represent permanent change. This doesn’t mean U.S. troops should return to Iraqi cities. But the need for a strong support role of Iraqi forces — likely for years to come — must be expected for America to make a good exit. This is especially difficult during a time when violence in Afghanistan is rapidly escalating.

America has a long-term strategic interest in a stable Middle East and staying to help Iraq on a path toward normalcy is important. Iraq has both the natural resources and human capital to thrive as a nation. But it will take patient U.S. support.

So far, the support role fortunately hasn’t made U.S. troops the target of attacks. The latest violence was aimed at the Iraqi government and people. But Iraq remains a very deadly place for everyone, and the work ahead for the remaining U.S. forces is dangerous. President Barack Obama has made it clear, repeatedly, that the timetable for exit would be governed by facts on the ground.

The facts on the ground, right now, clearly indicate that the road home from Iraq will be long and slow.