It’s too soon to exit Iraq

It’s too soon to exit Iraq

Kansas City Star: The toll from last Sunday’s bombings in Baghdad exceeded 150 dead and 500 wounded, making one point very clear: A good U.S. exit from Iraq will be neither quick nor easy.

President Barack Obama was only partly correct when he noted, “These bombings serve no purpose other than the murder of innocent men, women and children.”

But they also were attacks intended to convey the message that Iraq is not, and will not be, safe. It’s terrorism at its most basic: an attack on a soft target, to create fear among the general population.

The bombings were aimed at destabilizing both what faith Iraqis have in their government and any remaining American commitment to help that nation rebuild.

But the United States cannot back away yet. Too much has been spent in Iraq, in blood and treasure, to leave the nation before it can stand on its own.

There are major obstacles to reaching that goal. The Iraqi economy has to improve in the face of a global recession. Shi’ite, Sunni and Kurds have to put aside ethnic tensions and work toward a unified nation — something that is also in the best interests of each group. Iraq has to rebuild services and build up its military.

It all starts with security

But security is at the core of everything that must happen. Iraqis will never believe in a brighter future if the present remains so intensely deadly. The bombs were intended to shake confidence in the government as it prepares for national elections in January.

There have been great strides in the past year for Iraq, where life has improved in many ways. Most of the on-street security is now handled by Iraqi forces; U.S. forces are primarily used only in support and training. Deadly bombings are much rarer today than they have been in recent years.

But the bottom line remains that more than 4,350 American military personnel have died in Iraq. The time is approaching when it will be possible to make a good exit, to leave behind a functioning state, able to defend itself and its people.

But walking away too early would be a horrible waste. And Sunday’s bombings show us that it is now still too early to leave.