Reviewing a responsible plan for Iraq

I've heard rumors about this idea so it is good to finally see the document. Several candidates to the U.S. House along with retired military personnel have written a Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq. It is worthwhile to download the 36 page document and at least scan it. You can find it here.

There is a lot to recommend, but alas, also a couple holes. The responsible plan appears to be based on a comment by General Petraeus towards the beginning of the surge, "There is no military solution to a problem like that in Iraq." The surge was supposed to lower the bloodshed enough that the non-military solutions had a chance. But so far, that hasn't happened.

The plan is based on two strategic questions. The first is how to bring American military involvement to a responsible end? The answer is in more and better diplomatic, political, and economic efforts. The second question is how do we prevent another Iraq? That requires a restoration of Constitutional checks and balances and a fix of various government, military, and civil institutions that failed us.

In detail, the answer to the first question is responsible troop withdrawal, done in such a way to keep the remaining troops from being a target and with a commitment that we won't keep any troops in Iraq over any sort of long term. We also train as many Iraqis in defense as possible before we go. Instead, we should focus on the humanitarian crisis -- the refugees, the lack of a functioning government -- and the economic crisis -- young unemployed men see the only viable future as being in one of the militias. A third step is to use our considerable diplomatic tools to keep neighboring countries from stirring up trouble and convincing them and the rest of the world that a stable Iraq is in their best interest. Along the way we need to go after war profiteers, revitalize the State Department, expand the role of the international community, and to commit to human rights.

To prevent another Iraq several steps are proposed: Put war funding in the regular budget, restore congressional oversight, eliminate signing statements, restore habeas corpus, end warrantless spying, end detainee torture, stop outsourcing military operations to private companies such as Blackwater, fully fund veteran care, fully fund college tuition for those who served in the military, restore proper oversight for military contracts, restore trust in the media by reducing conglomerates in individual markets, and update our energy policy to lessen dependence on oil.

I'll let you read the details of each proposal, which includes actual bills to be submitted to Congress.

Now to the good ideas: I like the emphasis on diplomacy both in and around Iraq, the emphasis on humanitarian and economic development, the plan to get the military out of the way. All this is what I see in Christ -- let us be your servant, let us help you build up, instead of us playing the role of enforcer, one who imposes on another, the one who is blind to your pain, the one who tears down. It is good to see a clear enumeration of governmental problems and a concrete way to address them. Alas, Bush will veto any that get to his desk. Note the signers are those not yet in Congress.

However, I see one glaring hole. I admit I am not a military expert and I probably should rely on the retired military guys who helped create this plan. Even so, with the recent Sunni on Sunni violence in Basra which sent the Iraqi prime minister scurrying away with his tail between his legs I’m not convinced that removing American troops won't allow a civil war to erupt. To reduce my fears -- and that of a lot of Americans -- this issue needs to be addressed. I see several ways the issue could have been addressed: (1) A confirmation that our presence is what keeps the prospect of civil war alive. (2) Humanitarian and diplomatic efforts will be well underway and have the intended effect before the troops are gone. (3) Other countries, such as Morocco and Indonesia, that aren't about to stir up trouble take over peacekeeping duties. There are likely other ways to fill this hole. I am aware that in many cases the military presence is part of the problem, but it is difficult for me (and other Americans) to see how pulling the military out won't leave a power vacuum. Perhaps we'll be fine, but this plan needs to explain why we'll be fine. I sincerely hope the plan will work, however this hole may doom its chances of being implemented.

And one minor hole: The real solution to many of the preventative measures, such as eliminating signing statements and restoring habeas corpus is the impeachment and removal of Bush. He has ignored laws and his legacy will embolden future presidents to ignore laws as well. Impeachment means that we intend for laws to be followed. Simply passing new laws means more laws this future president might ignore.

At least I offer praise and thanks that people are thinking about the issue in creative ways.