Edwards calls for a complete pullout, including training troops.

He’s right. The Iraqis already know the basics of combat, the finer points could be taught outside of the country to those select few who need this information, and the US military, particularly the army is hostile to the idea of teaching foreigners about civil society.

They see their role as engaging the enemy in the battle space, and destroying them, and that any peacekeeping or nation building is antithetical to their mission.

There is nothing to indicate any real rapproachment amongst the Iraqi factions, and our presence simply delays, and makes more bloody, any eventual resolution.

Having any number of trainers there entails logistics and security that would keep us militarily engage in Iraq for a very long time.