Comments on: Debating Disengagement from the Middle East http://deanesmay.com/2008/12/15/debating-disengagement-from-the-middle-east/ Defending the liberal tradition in history, science, and philosophy. Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:15:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Dave Schuler http://deanesmay.com/2008/12/15/debating-disengagement-from-the-middle-east/#comment-166676 Dave Schuler Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:36:43 +0000 http://deanesmay.com/2008/12/15/debating-disengagement-from-the-middle-east/#comment-166676 You're already outlined three of the key components of my negative case:  the difficulty in drawing the line, lack of evidence, and the perils of ceding the initiative (which his plan most definitely would do).  He's making a comparative benefits case which is darned hard to do if you don't quantify any of the costs or benefits. You’re already outlined three of the key components of my negative case:  the difficulty in drawing the line, lack of evidence, and the perils of ceding the initiative (which his plan most definitely would do).  He’s making a comparative benefits case which is darned hard to do if you don’t quantify any of the costs or benefits.

]]> By: Aziz Poonawalla http://deanesmay.com/2008/12/15/debating-disengagement-from-the-middle-east/#comment-166670 Aziz Poonawalla Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:08:28 +0000 http://deanesmay.com/2008/12/15/debating-disengagement-from-the-middle-east/#comment-166670 I havent yet read Dr Finels piece, but the excerpt you quoted is just hand waving. We have "too large" a footprint? by what metric? with what consequence? I dunno what your main thrust will be but if you have time, do bring up the unpleasant truth that geopolitics abhors a vacuum. If not us, then probably China. I plan in cheering you on from the sidelines since I doubt I could make this case as effectively as you will. I havent yet read Dr Finels piece, but the excerpt you quoted is just hand waving. We have "too large" a footprint? by what metric? with what consequence?

I dunno what your main thrust will be but if you have time, do bring up the unpleasant truth that geopolitics abhors a vacuum. If not us, then probably China.

I plan in cheering you on from the sidelines since I doubt I could make this case as effectively as you will.

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