A moral failure

What shall we do about Iraq? It is widely thought that a bloodbath will follow our departure if we leave now and that it will take 5 to 10 years to stabilize the country if we stay. It will be a moral failure if we leave, yet that is what we must do. Bush points to "progress" in Iraq but its must more of his political trickery. Of course, our military prevails when it can engage directly. But everybody agrees that we cannot succeed without a political solution. Certainly, it would help to reach a political solution there if our military could provide stability and put a lid on the violence. However, I don't think the political system in Iraq could function even in a stable, violence-free environment. The surge is necessary but not sufficient. The country has no history of democracy, it lacks the institutions and traditions, and it lacks the desire. None of the parties there want to compromise - they want to win.

We invade their country, wreck a lot of it (there is less electricity now than when Saddam was in charge), and leave. Bush is gradually forcing us into a moral failure.