Here's the perfect plan to end the war in Iraq:
Announce a timeline thus:
After 3 days of no violence, that means: no IED explosions, no car bombings, no kidnappings, no sniper fire, no executions or any other act that injures or kills attributed to an insurgent group. Then the US announces that the clock for the end of the war has begun. Initial plans for troop removal begin.
After 3 weeks of no violence, US troops pull back to bases, troop patrols are only made during evening hours. US contractors begin reconstruction of basic utilities in or near major cities where needed.
After 3 months of no violence, US announces that troop withdrawals will begin. Execution of plans for troop withdrawal begin. Reconstruction of basic utilities is accelerated and expanded to areas outside major cities.
After 6 months of no violence, a full withdrawal of US troops begins. A major push in reconstruction efforts begins. Iraqi citizens are trained in various trades to a standard of excellence necessary to ensure that reconstruction efforts are of a quality that will last.
After 1 year of no violence, the withdrawal of all troops is complete. Only military advisors, state department, and US Embassy personnel are present in Iraq.
After 2 years of no violence, normal economic relations with the US are reinstated.
Only one iron clad rule, if a violent act occurs at any step along the way, the troops come back, and the clock starts again.
This is the only kind of timeline that gives the law abiding citizens of Iraq a chance to get their feet underneath them and create the economic climate that keeps people from joining the insurgency. The religious leaders can sign on to this, because they are mostly for the US troops leaving and this is the easiest way to ensure that happens. The US gets its win and goes home.
Any takers?
