A phased withdrawal is the worst of both worlds. Which soldiers are you going to ask to stay behind just a bit longer after we have given up? Who will stay behind under manned and under protected in the ensuing chaos? If we are going to declare defeat and then retreat, we need to do it in full French style as fast as possible. And just moving to a neighboring country is out of the question as well. When terrorists learn that they can drive away the US military because we just don't have the stomach to win, then there is nowhere in the middle east that they won't be willing to follow. And after the slaughter in Iraq is complete, there is likely nowhere in the world we will be safe, especially with our wide open borders.

A billion humans in the world and a few stand in thier way of peace. Just sit in your comfortable chair and fix the problem. What stops yourself and I along with the rest of U.S.to go over to iraq and show the world we dont need money to live? Are we so smart yet so stupid!