On April 26th, Congress passed an Iraq War bill that stipulated a withdrawal of US troops by the end of 2008. The following week, President Bush vetoed the bill, committing America to another year of war. After 320 billion dollars, and 3,700 American dead, it’s time for us to go. The question of what America should do in Iraq is irrelevant. The only important question is what it actually can do. For Iraq to develop into a stable democracy, its myriad insurgencies would first have to be quelled. But America’s own “Powell Doctrine” states that modern wars can only be won through mass deployment, rapid escalation, and heavy investment in post-war infrastructure – the exact opposite of the policies that America has pursued. Some may be wary of the consequences of a US withdrawal, fearing increased violence and Iranian influence, but Iraq already is in civil war, and since 2003, Iranian sponsored Shiite factions have controlled Iraq’s southern governates. Iranian intervention might not be so terrible. After 9/11, Iran assisted US efforts in the Middle East – that is, until Bush’s “Axis of Evil” speech. Many diplomats even feel that Iran could be a stabilizing factor, and allowing its intervention could be a bargaining chip for the US in negotiations on Iran’s nukes. The concern over Iranian oil control is unfounded, too. America purchases only 5% of its oil from Iraq and none from Iran. There’s no reason to assume that Iran’s influence on OPEC would significantly increase, and, as we all know, no reason to believe that oil prices have anything to do with supply. The ugly truth is, America can’t fulfill its responsibility to the Iraqi people, nor to its own soldiers. Consequently, we must pursue the best option available, even if it’s not ideal, and that option is withdrawal.