Let us make no mistake about the cost of such an American failure in Iraq. In his testimony before the Armed Services Committee last week. General Petraeus referred to an August Defense Intelligence Agency report that stated: A rapid withdrawal would result in the further release of strong centrifugal forces in Iraq and produce a number of dangerous results. including a high risk of disintegration of the Iraqi Security Forces. a rapid deterioration of local security initiatives. alQaidaIraq regaining lost ground and freedom of maneuver. a marked increase in violence and further ethnosectarian displacement and refugee flows. and exacerbation of already challenging regional dynamics. especially with respect to Iran. These are the likely consequences of a precipitous withdrawal. and I hope the supporters of such a move will tell us how they intend to address the chaos and catastrophe that would surely follow such a course of action. Should this amendment become law. and U.S. troops begin withdrawing. do they believe Iraq would become more or less stable?