Jonah Goldberg has a fascinating idea about Iraq: Let the Iraqi people vote whether U.S. troops should remain or go:
The welcome formation of a new unity government notwithstanding, the climate in Iraq remains poisonous. And now, observers lament, there are no more big "unifying events" on the calendar. America's reputation as freedom's champion is taking lumps around the globe, while public support here at home for the war is waning. Arab nations are using the situation in Iraq to push an anti-democratic and anti-American agenda. . . . .
I have an idea to help fix all that. Let's let the Iraqi people vote on whether American troops should stay in Iraq.
It makes complete sense to me. If Iraqis are called upon to decide whether U.S. troops will stay or go, America cannot lose.
If American troops are asked to stay, the "insurgent" terrorists and their sympathizers who claim to be attacking a U.S. "occupation" are severely marginalized.
On the other hand, if the Iraqi people decide that they want America's troops to leave and that they are ready to defend themselves without support from the U.S., the more power to them. America will happily bring its troops home.
It sounds like a win-win. Jonah Goldberg deserves kudos for some creative thinking.
I have no idea whether the Iraqi constitution provides for a binding national referendum. Probably not. But similar results could be accomplished by a variety of means, perhaps as simple as a vote in the Iraqi parliament.
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