E.J.'s Precinct
Petraeus Speaks: Is "Fragile & Reversible" Good Enough?
EJ Dionne
4/8/2008
General David Petraeus told the Armed Services Committee this morning that the situation in Iraq is "fragile and reversible" and counseled against a fast withdrawal of American forces once troop levels reach pre-surge numbers this summer.
Supporters of the administration's policy will no doubt say that the fragility of this situation is a reason for keeping American troops in Iraq indefinitely. But if all the heroic efforts by American forces during the surge have left the situation no better than "fragile and reversible" is that an argument for keeping our troops there indefinitely? Instead, doesn't Petraeus' testimony suggest there is good reason to change our policy to reduce the strain on our armed forces by bringing more of them home? Isn't it time to disentangle ourselves from an approach that was flawed from the beginning?
So the question: Is Petraeus making an effective case for staying the course in Iraq, or is his testimony good evidence that the administration has no strategy for victory?