On Oct. 12, over 700 foreign affairs specialists from across the country delivered an open letter blasting the Bush administration’s foreign policy in Iraq. The letter, sponsored by Security Scholars for a Sensible Foreign Policy, argues that the administration’s policies – the decision to launch the invasion, the lack of planning for an occupation and the continuing incompetence of the administration’s policies there – has actually undermined the war on terror while needlessly endangering our soldiers.

The signers represent liberal and conservative experts in foreign affairs from over 40 states and 175 colleges and universities, as well, former staff members at the Pentagon, the National Security Council and the State Department under both Republican and Democratic administrations.

Many of these experts now believe that the United States should withdraw from Iraq within the next year or two. The continuing U.S. presence cannot guarantee stability in Iraq, we now know, and fears of a permanent occupation may be exacerbating the situation. Announcing our withdrawal would force other groups, including the United Nations, our allies in Europe, neighboring Arab countries and Iraqis themselves, to contribute more resources and energy to finding a solution.

James Richter, Lewiston

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