Phased withdrawal

Iraq's vacuum fillers


It's really simple: the more troops you take out, the more the militias fill the gap. So what may
start out as a phased withdrawal may soon turn into a route as the violence ramps up.

The fewer the US troops, the more power the militia has. Once US troops start leaving, two things happen.

First, the governors demand their national guardsmen back. The demand for more and quicker explodes.

Second, public order decreases and things get worse.

The only way to leave is negotiate a cease fire and allow for an orderly retreat of US forces.

Anything less will lead to disaster.