U.S. Troops In Iraq -- How Long Should They Stay There?

U.S. soldiers from 18th Military Police Brigade provide security near a checkpoint in Baghdad in August. (Photo: Marko Georgiev for The New York Times)

The Troop Debate: Should We Stay or Should We Go?
-- New York Times

BAGHDAD — As Iraqi and American diplomats negotiate a deal for American troops to stay in Iraq, or not, Iraqis are also debating the issue.

For Iraqis, just as for Americans, it is far more complex than a simple “stay” or “go.” For both it is about blood, treasure, pride, dignity and a nation’s sense of itself and its place in the world.

But a lot more Iraqi blood than American has already been spilled, and stands to be spilled again, if the politicians get it wrong.

On the streets of Iraq the questions being asked about the continuing American presence are about sovereignty, stability and America’s intentions in Iraq past, present and future: How many American troops will stay? How quickly will they go? If they stay, where will they be based? To do what? With what powers? And under what restrictions?

Read more ....

My Comment: From my point of view ..... if the violence is a fraction of what it is today, and if the Iraqi Government wants us to stay there for a long time .... i.e. a decade or two .... I do not think there would be to much opposition back home in the U.S. on such a deployment. Stability in Iraq is in everyone's interest. Even though it will be expensive, this scenario will be far more preferable than one in which violence and terrorism is rampant.