Exit Strategy is for Losers

It's been my belief that we should have no plans to leave Iraq until it is clear that the region is stable. I don't think, once Iraq's police and military are able to keep stability, that we need to have 150,000 troops there, but I think we should have a defined military presence for a long time. If for nothing else, to prevent the reintroduction of extremists. But also, because the War on Terror doesn't end at Iraq. Maybe that can be the end of military conflict, and I think most people hope this is the case. But if Iran, or Syria, or even Saudi Arabia can't get their acts together, it would certainly be useful to have a base right in the midst of them all.

Go see Jay Tea's rundown of 20th century wars at Wizbang, to illustrate the pitfalls of early exit from conflict.

The lesson is clear:

Exit strategies are for wars that you don't plan to win, and to win decisively.

Well said.