Out of Iraq: A Practical Plan for Withdrawal Now

by George S. McGovern and William R. Polk

Book Overview

Former senator George McGovern and William R. Polk, a leading authority on the Middle East, offer a detailed plan for a speedy troop withdrawal from Iraq. During the phased withdrawal, to begin on December 31, 2006, and to be completed by June 30, 2007, they recommend that the Iraq government engage the temporary services of an international stabilization force to police the country. Other elements in the withdrawal plan include an independent accounting...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1416534563
• ISBN13: 9781416534563
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.46 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.1" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

The "Go Home" Option for Iraq

As I write this review shortly after the midterm elections, parties on all sides of the Iraq War are awaiting with great anticipation the report of the Baker Hamilton "Iraq Study Group." Whatever that effort produces, an exit strategy is already available in this short, aptly titled book by two well known experts on the Middle East. After he retired from politics, Senator George McGovern resumed his prior profession of teaching history and headed the Middle East Policy Council in Washington for six years. William R. Polk taught Middle East history and politics at Harvard and Chicago, published many books on the region, and has closely studied Iraq since he first visited Baghdad in 1947. In 2005 he published Understanding Iraq, a highly readable 213 page history. The two authors have collaborated on a book that recaps what Iraq is and who the Iraqis are, analyzes the effects of the invasion and occupation on Iraq and on America, and then lays out in a single chapter a 24 point exit strategy, followed by a brief warning about the dire consequences of our not making a reasonably rapid exit. They foresee a phased withdrawal of all foreign military troops by June 30, 2007, including the 25,000 mercenaries euphemistically called "Personal Security Details" provided by 50 foreign firms. They put their plan's cost at about $14 billion -- a true bargain considering projections that another two years of the occupation would cost at least $350 billion. They insist that the plan must be implemented as a coordinated whole. To facilitate the transition, McGovern and Polk urge the Iraqi government to request the short-term services of an international force to help police the country during and after our withdrawal, perhaps remaining for as much as two years. This force should be drawn from Arab and/or other Muslim countries, whose personnel would be much better equipped with an understanding of the culture, religion, language and traditions of the Iraqi populace to carry out police work. There is not space here to describe the plan's other 22 points in detail, but a good many are worthy of mention. For instance, the authors view the training of a permanent Iraqi national police force as essential, but oppose recreation of a national army, which in the past has been more disruptive than helpful. They also call for Washington to release all prisoners of war and to close our detention centers as soon as possible. To counter the impression that we plan to stay in Iraq long-term we must cease construction of some 14 "enduring" American military bases now under way (five of which are as large as cities). For similar reasons, we should vacate the Green Zone by the end of 2007. The authors also urge the U.S. to fund a project to hire and train Iraqis to find and destroy mines, unexploded ordnance and depleted uranium; pay reparations for loss of lives and property; and allow Iraq to renegotiate oil contracts entered into during the occupation. Fina

Reasoned discussion of Iraq

George McGovern and William Polk obviously believe that plans of action should be based on fact. They, therefore,begin the book with a background summary of how the U.S. got into the war and a discussion about Iraq and its people. They then provide a "damage report" in lives lost and forever changed -"on Americans, on Iraqis,and on the U.S. position in world affairs". It is a good presentation of the history and current situation. The meat of the book is a detailed description of a balanced program for getting out: along with a cost analysis for each suggestion compared to the current cost of the war. Those cost comparisons should be remembered when the cry goes out that we can't afford to pay for helping to repair the mess we've made while we quietly let the money flow through our fingers every day we are there now.

Essential Reading

Out of Iraq is a truly remarkable book which should be read by all Americans engaged in pondering the enigma of our presence in Iraq. Analyses based on solid knowledge describe the formation of present day Iraq and their experience under British rule; how the Iraqis have experienced American rule and how our military adventure has impacted our nation and our troops. Some of this is tough reading; American atrocities are described and their origins discussed. While the book is not footnoted, it is based on solid evidence as well as on in depth historical knowledge of comparable situations. The result is a wise presentation of the hole we have dug ourselves into, followed by a proposal for a US withdrawal coupled with proposed measures to aid in Iraqi recovery and to compensate for some of the damage done. In each case, McGovern and Polk explain why their proposals are the best way out, based on similar experiences in other wars. This, then, is a serious and marvelously concise account of the situation in Iraq - and in the US - and what can be done about it, based on solid scholarship and solid American values. From teenagers to Senators and Congresspeople, it should be read and pondered by us all.

Required Reading 101

This is the most important book about the most relevant issue of our times. The foundation of the general welfare of all citizens of the world community largely depends on the outcome of the Iraq issue, i. e., how do we exit with the least amount of damage to all concerned. While Senator McGovern should be applauded for joining in the presentation of this well crafted, well thought out, and extremely well documented masterpiece, in Dr. Polk we are given the benefit of the singularly most comprehensive knowledge of the Middle East possessed by anybody on this planet. This is a plaudit that has been earned "on the ground" and backed up by 45(+) years of dangerous, exciting, and detailed formative experiences in this explosive territory, unequaled by any other person, and is not simply given or proffered lightly by an acquaintance. The plan set forth by Dr. Polk, and his co-author Senator McGovern, is a clear, concise, and straight forward map that should be carefully considered, discussed, and debated by all interested parties throughout the world...sooner rather than later! This is not just another book on this critically important subject, it is the definitive guideline to end this [mis]adventure with the least amount of damages. No other solution offered so far has even come close to making this much sense, regardless of one's political persuasion or world position. It is, without a doubt, "Required Reading 101" for all who voice, express, and have an opinion on this matter

Best Book on Iraq Yet

. There is a lot of bluster from both sides of the bench (and Atlantic) regarding Iraq, but Mr. McGovern's book is the only one that concisely and carefully analyses the history of Iraq, our attack on the sovereign nation and why it was illegal under international law, and, most important - why and HOW we should leave Iraq with dignity. It is for this last reason that I recommend this book so strongly. It's easy to dissect the mess we created in Iraq and to blame fingers at our American leaders and public for their bloodlust, disregard for brown people's lives, and greed for oil, but it's hard to come up with a feasible exit strategy. Everything went wrong in Iraq and we know it's our fault; we can't make it like new but we can leave with some shred of honour for ourselves and the Iraqis (those who survive the bloodbath we've rained on them). A concise book and a well-written one. Five stars out of five. .