The question of when U.S. forces can begin to withdraw from Iraq has generated intense political debate that has accelerated since the recent US Presedential elections

US military presence in Iraq is harming US interests in the Arab world, detracts attention from other 'important security challenges... North Korea, Iran and international terrorism,' and weakens the US military. The US should cut its losses, pull out of Iraq promptly.

But pulling out promptly can creat chaos in Iraq and will casue serious destabilising of the security of not only Iraq but also its neighbours. The insurgency will grow in size and complexity.

There should be no prompt withdrawal but a strategic redeployment of troops and a gradual pulling out of Iraq. Moreover the USA should provide the Iraqi government a greater incentive to handle its own security.

So the question is really should we see a prompt withdrawal or a gradual and phased withdrawal..More importantly any plan to pull out from Iraq should not be seen as cut and run.