My plan would couple this phased redeployment with an enhanced effort to train Iraqi security forces and would expand the number of our personnelespecially special forceswho are deployed with Iraqis as unit advisers and would finally link continued economic aid in Iraq with the existence of tangible progress toward reducing sectarian violence and reaching a political settlement. One final aspect of this plan that I believe is critical is it would call for the engagement by the United States of a regional conference with other countries that are involved in the Middle Eastparticularly our allies but including Syria and Iranto find a solution to the war in Iraq. We have to realize that neither Iran nor Syria wants to see the security vacuum in Iraq filled with chaos. terrorism. refugees. and violence. as it could have a destabilizing effect throughout the entire region and within their own countries. So as odious as the behavior of those regimes may be at times. it is important that we include them in a broader conversation about how we can stabilize Iraq. In closing. let me say this: I have been a consistent and strong opponent of this war.
Keywords matched
refugees