Interesting that the word 'all' is the word of focus rather then the word 'combat' versus security or peace keeping forces.
As for the Levin-Reid proposed amendment, it turns control over to the UN. The UN is only good at humanitarian efforts. The have never been capable of security or peacekeeping. There is no reason to believe that has changed.
The parsing of words aside, I have to admit that this represents a political watershed. Is it that it has become accepted that Iraq is in fact important? Has it become accepted that progress is being made? The paradigm shift being suggested is, in my opinion, a positive. A first step in what I believe will break the will of the enemy in short order, that as far as our resolve to defeat our enemies is concerned, we are becoming united. And should that be perceived as true abroad, then our allies will return to our sides and our enemy's boldness and flow of willing martyrs will diminish. Optimally it could result in terrorist entities (Al Queda, Hamas, et al) will resort to addressing their political grievances in a civilized way.
That of course is my idealistic hope. I was seeing a crack of light toward this in the responses I discussed in the OP.
As for the Levin-Reid proposed amendment, it turns control over to the UN. The UN is only good at humanitarian efforts. The have never been capable of security or peacekeeping. There is no reason to believe that has changed.
The parsing of words aside, I have to admit that this represents a political watershed. Is it that it has become accepted that Iraq is in fact important? Has it become accepted that progress is being made? The paradigm shift being suggested is, in my opinion, a positive. A first step in what I believe will break the will of the enemy in short order, that as far as our resolve to defeat our enemies is concerned, we are becoming united. And should that be perceived as true abroad, then our allies will return to our sides and our enemy's boldness and flow of willing martyrs will diminish. Optimally it could result in terrorist entities (Al Queda, Hamas, et al) will resort to addressing their political grievances in a civilized way.
That of course is my idealistic hope. I was seeing a crack of light toward this in the responses I discussed in the OP.