Middle East Analyst Insists on Withdrawal

The United States' options in Iraq are few and dwindling, Frederick Barton told students on Jan. 27. The analyst, speaking from 12 years of experience in post-conflict reconstruction, comes down on the side of withdrawal.

In a video teleconference in conjunction with C-SPAN, Barton welcomed students' questions about the just-released Iraq Study Group Report, which he referred to as "a cold shower" for the country. It's an unwelcome wake-up call, he says, that "things are going to hell in Iraq . . . we may lose Iraq."

He insisted that the U.S. withdrawal must be negotiated and resolved before any more work can be done. He added that the complicity of both parties is essential.

"There's no hidden agenda with Barton," said George Mason student Jade Newman. "He seems to have a real interest in what's best for the country. He understands that speaking out against Bush's war does not mean that you don't support the troops."

While Barton did not attack Bush, he remains skeptical of the president's ability to resolve the Iraq conflict. "The one that he's gotten us into, he's not the right guy to get us out."