Bush Administration’s “Victory” Strategy Leaves Major Questions Unanswered
Lengthy Document Fails to Provide Path for Exiting Iraq
(Washington, D.C.) Wednesday, the Bush Administration, working in tandem with the National Security Council issued a document entitled National Strategy for Victory in Iraq, a weak attempt to counter the growing criticism of the administration’s handling of the Iraq occupation, and increasing discontent with the country’s overall foreign policy objectives.
Instead of providing a detailed, honest plan for removing American soldiers from harm’s way in Iraq, the 35-page document outlines a set of vague goals that appear to be nothing more than exhausted, political rhetoric. Although the paper is filled with subheadings containing glittering generalities such as “Victory in Iraq is a Vital U.S. Interest,” and “Failure is Not an Option,” it fails to answer essential questions about the methodology and timeframe for troop withdrawal.
The “Victory” Strategy only reinforces Bush’s unsupported claims that current policies are “working” and cites as one of the administration’s accomplishments “the increasing capability of those [Iraqi] forces to take on the terrorists and secure the nation.” After nearly three years, the facts show that only one Iraqi battalion exists with the capability of to operate independently.
“This ‘Victory’ Strategy is an irrefutably weak attempt by the Bush Administration to satisfy domestic political pressures while evading the issue of exiting Iraq,” stated Michael Dixon, Chairman of the Libertarian National Committee. “While President Bush dances around the flagrant failures of his decision to invade and remain in Iraq, American military personnel continue to be wounded and killed on a daily basis. To date, the Libertarian Party remains the only political group that has devised a sensible plan for American withdrawal from Iraq.”
To learn more about the Libertarian Party’s Iraq Exit Strategy, visit www.lp.org/plan. |
