Iraq is still the more important war

In many respects, this ideological truce is welcome. The fortunes of war have made every American faction look foolish at some point, and modesty is becoming to all sides. Anti-war liberals (and, much less influentially, anti-war conservatives) got the most important question right. But the anti-war side often seemed far too willing to leave Iraq to the furies, and far too reckless about the strategic consequences of beating a retreat…

America’s most important interest remains a stable, unified Republic of Iraq, even if takes longer than any domestic faction wants. Afghanistan may be “the good war” to most Americans, but Iraq’s size, location, history and resources mean that it’s still by far the more important one.

Yes, the 9/11 plot got its start in a chaotic, conflict-ridden Afghanistan. But a Middle East-wide war could get its start in a chaotic, conflict-ridden Iraq. Indeed, before the surge, it almost did. This reality will keep us heavily involved, one way or another, long after our “withdrawal” is complete.