If we leave. we will be backin Iraq and elsewherein many more desperate fights to protect our security and at an even greater cost in American lives and treasure. In his testimony before the Armed Services Committee in September. 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. al QaedaIraq 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." Those are the likely consequences of a precipitous withdrawal. and I hope that 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 that Iraq will become more or less stable? That the Iraqi people become more or less safe?