The invasion of Iraq may be one of the worst foreign-policy mistakes in
the history of our nation. As tragic and costly as that mistake has been, a precipitous or premature withdrawal of our forces
now has the potential to turn the initial errors into an even greater problem just as success looks possible.
As a Democrat who voted against the war from the outset and who has been
frankly critical of the administration and the post-invasion strategy, I am convinced by the evidence that the situation has
at long last begun to change substantially for the better. I believe Iraq could have a positive future. Our diplomatic and
military leaders in Iraq, their current strategy, and most importantly, our troops and the Iraqi people themselves, deserve
our continued support and more time to succeed.
I understand the desire of many of our citizens and my colleagues in Congress
to bring the troops home as soon as possible. The costs have been horrific for our soldiers, their families, the Iraqi people
and the economy. If we keep our troops on the ground we will lose more lives, continue to spend billions each week, and, given
the history and complex interests of the region, there is no certainty that our efforts will succeed in the long run. We must
be absolutely honest about these costs and risks and I am both profoundly saddened and angry that we are where we are.
Knowing all this, how can someone who opposed the war now call for continuing the new directions that have
been taken in Iraq? The answer is that the people, strategies and facts on the ground have changed for the better and those
changes justify changing our position on what should be done.
To understand the magnitude of the challenge and why it is taking time for things to improve, consider what
happened as the result of the invasion and post-invasion decisions. Tens of thousands of Iraqi lives have been lost and hundreds
of thousands have fled the country. We dismantled the civil government, police, armed forces and the nation's infrastructure.
We closed critical industries and businesses, putting as many as a half million people, including those who best knew how
to run the infrastructure and factories, out of work and filled with resentment. We left arms caches unguarded and the borders
open to infiltration. We allowed schools, hospitals and public buildings to be looted and created conditions that fanned sectarian
conflicts.
It is just not realistic to expect Iraq or any other nation to be able to rebuild its government, infrastructure,
security forces and economy in just four years. Despite the enormous challenges, the fact is, the situation on the ground
in Iraq is improving in multiple and important ways.
Regardless of one's politics or position on the invasion, this must be recognized and welcomed as good news.
Our soldiers are reclaiming ground and capturing or killing high-priority targets on a daily basis. Sheiks
and tribal groups are uniting to fight against the extremists and have virtually eliminated al-Qaida from certain areas. The
Iraqi military and police are making progress in their training, taking more responsibility for bringing the fight to the
insurgents and realizing important victories. Businesses and factories that were once closed are being reopened and people
are working again. The infrastructure is gradually being repaired and markets are returning to life.
Without question, these gains are still precarious and there are very real and troubling problems with the
current Iraqi political regime and parliament at the national level.
The Iraqis are addressing these problems along with our own State Department but these issues will not easily
be resolved and could, if not solved, throw the success of the entire endeavor into jeopardy.
Those problems notwithstanding, to walk away now from the recent gains would be to lose all the progress that
has been purchased at such a dear price in lives and dollars. As one soldier said to me, "We have lost so many good people
and invested so much, It just doesn't make sense to quit now when we're finally making progress. I want to go home as much
as anyone else, but I want this mission to succeed and I'm willing to do what it takes. I just want to know the people back
home know we're making progress and support us."
From a strategic perspective, if we leave now, Iraq is likely to break into even worse sectarian conflict.
The extremist regime in Iran will expand its influence in Iraq and elsewhere in the region. Terrorist organizations, the people
who cut off the heads of civilians, stone women to death, and preach hatred and intolerance, will be emboldened by our departure.
In the ensuing chaos, the courageous Iraqi civilians, soldiers and political leaders who have counted on us will be left to
the slaughter. No American who cares about human rights, security and our moral standing in the world can be comfortable letting
these things happen.
Our citizens should know that this belief is shared by virtually every national leader in the Middle East.
There is also near-unanimity among Iraq's neighbors and regional leaders that partition of Iraq is not an option.
"You may think you can walk away from Iraq," I was told by one leader. "We cannot. We live here and have to
deal with the consequences of what your nation has done. So will you eventually, if the Iraq conflict spreads and extremists
bring us down as well."
I do not know the details of what the September report will contain, but I trust and respect Gen. David Petraeus
and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker. I have seen firsthand the progress they have made, and I firmly believe we must give them
the time and resources they need to succeed.
Though we would all wish this conflict would end tomorrow, it will not. We are going to have to begin to withdraw
troops next spring because our equipment and our soldiers are wearing out. However, even with the progress that has been made
of late, we will have a significant military and civilian role in Iraq and the region for some time to come. That is the price
we must all pay for the decision to invade. We cannot shirk that responsibility.
Progress is being made and there is real reason for hope. It would be a tragic waste and lasting strategic
blunder to let the hard-fought and important gains slip away, leaving chaos behind to haunt us and our allies for many years
to come.
Rep. Brian Baird, D-Vancouver, represents Washington's 3rd Congressional District.
