Last Combat Troops Leave Iraq

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Not sure what you mean by hands are tied, but our presence in Iraq offers a few strategic things:

- Possible future deployment location for our anti-missile system. Kind of hard for Iran to assault Israel with long range missiles if we have a system to shoot down their birds.

- Iraq becomes a possible staging area for future mid-east conflicts, whether they involve the defense of Israel, or whatever.

- Geographically, it puts an American presence right smack between Syria and Iran.

- Increased leverage on Iran in negotiations for nuclear non-proliferation.

But I guess for the argument you're making, I totally agree. It's good for strategic purposes, but I think that's all it will ever boil down to.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

But I guess for the argument you're making, I totally agree. It's good for strategic purposes, but I think that's all it will ever boil down to.

Yeah, I never said we'd be there to start something with Iran. But we're there to respond. They're repeatedly hostile to Israel, saying they should be wiped off the map.

It's a deterrent more than anything.