Exiting Iraq: Why the U.S. Must End the Military Occupation and Renew the War Against Al Qaeda [Paperback]

Chris Preble (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 30, 2004

With the continuing U.S. occupation of Iraq, a special task force of scholars and policy experts calls into question the Bush administration's intention to stay as long as necessary. In this joint statement, the members argue that the presence of troops in Iraq distracts attention from fighting Al Qaeda and emboldens a new class of terrorists to take up arms against the United States. The task force's findings are essential reading for anyone concerned with the ongoing conflict and the war on terrorism

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Christopher Preble is director of foreign policy studies at the Cato Institute. A former commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy, he is a veteran of the Gulf War, having served on the USS Ticonderoga from 1990 to 1993.

Product Details

• Paperback: 98 pages
• Publisher: Cato Institute (June 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1930865643
• ISBN-13: 978-1930865648
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,486,266 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Christopher A. Preble (1967-) is the vice president for defense and foreign policy studies at The Cato Institute. In addition to his books, Preble has published over 100 articles in major publications including USA Today, the Financial Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Philadelphia Inquirer, Reason, the National Interest, the Foreign Service Journal, and the Harvard International Review. He has also appeared on many television and radio news networks including CNN, MSNBC, Fox News Channel, NPR, and the BBC. Before joining Cato in February 2003, he taught history at St. Cloud State University and Temple University. Preble was a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy and is a veteran of the Gulf War, having served onboard USS Ticonderoga (CG-47) from 1990 to 1993. Preble holds a Ph.D. in history from Temple University, and a BA in history from George Washington University.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A compelling case for ending the ongoing occupation., October 13, 2004

By 

B. Kieffer - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Exiting Iraq: Why the U.S. Must End the Military Occupation and Renew the War Against Al Qaeda (Paperback)

This is the only book I've read of that actually details not only why we should end the military occupation of Iraq, but also how we can get out. The book recommends a complete withdrawal by January 2006, and its recommendations should be taken seriously by our political leaders.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent case for withdrawing from Iraq, April 5, 2005

By 

William Podmore (London United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Exiting Iraq: Why the U.S. Must End the Military Occupation and Renew the War Against Al Qaeda (Paperback)

The authors realistically define vital US security interests as `protecting the lives and well-being of Americans'. So they urge the USA to cut its losses, withdraw from Iraq and respect its sovereignty and independence. "The United States must promptly end its military occupation of Iraq. A military withdrawal will maximize America's ability to refocus its efforts on the fight against Al Qaeda and other anti-American terrorist groups with global reach and, at the same time, minimize the risks to vital US national security interests."

"There is no economic imperative for keeping troops there. The American military presence is not essential, and might even be detrimental, to ensuring access to Persian Gulf oil. ... US policy in the Persian Gulf should not be based on the assumption that the region's energy resources will not make it to market absent the presence of US troops. Oil is the principal source of revenue for the Persian Gulf countries; they could not withhold it from world markets without committing economic suicide."

Bush and Blair told us that the occupation would pay for itself and that post-war Iraq would quickly settle into a stable peace. They now want US and British troops to occupy Iraq indefinitely, regardless of costs and risks.

But "The military occupation of Iraq is counterproductive to winning the war on terrorism, enormously costly, militarily and economically unnecessary, and politically unsustainable. ... it emboldens anti-American terrorists to expand their operations, both against the forces in their neighbourhood and ultimately on American soil. And the presence of an American military garrison in Iraq weakens the forces of democratic reform by undermining an indigenous government's authority and credibility."

"Iraq is many years away from becoming a stable unified democracy, and there is nothing that the United States can do to alter this state of affairs." A democratic Middle East is a `chimera', so "U.S. military withdrawal should not be predicated on the establishment of a democratic government in Iraq." No conditions should be set for withdrawal.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Advocating a military withdrawal by January 31, 2005, October 10, 2004

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Exiting Iraq: Why the U.S. Must End the Military Occupation and Renew the War Against Al Qaeda (Paperback)

Exiting Iraq: Why The U.s. Must End The Military Occupation And Renew The War Against Al Qaeda is the report of a specal task foce under the directorship of Christopher Preble, which was sponsored by the Cato Institute. Observing that the American occupation of Iraq has passed the one-year mark with no end in sight, Exiting Iraq questions the Bush Administration's costly operation, suggesting that America's presence actually encourages a new class of terrorists to rise against the United States, and undermines attempts to bring about political and economic reform. Advocating a military withdrawal by January 31, 2005, Exiting Iraq emphasizes the importance of orchestrating a foreign policy that clearly defines and protects vital American interests overseas without squandering lives or resources.