> I don't doubt them. That wasn't the question. The majority of us want
> them out too. I'm asking, from a value-neutral (or amoral) perspective,
> will it make them better off? And if so, how? Just out of curiosity and
> the will to knowledge.
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Who knows what will result from an American withdrawal? I believe the US
occupation is the primary source of the violence and chaos, but we won't
know for certain until it is ended.
In any event, that's not the issue.
The issue is who decides what's in the best interests of Iraq - the Iraqis or the Bush administration or the US left?
The answer should be pretty clear if you favour self-determination over the white man's burden, which I assume you do.
What's your view on democracy? Conservatives have historically challenged the principle of democratic government using the same logic you apply to Iraq - that people can't be expected to make decisions which are best for themselves.