Foreign-Policy Bigwigs Duel on Wisdom of Ending War

Advisors to Barack Obama and John McCain spar over ending the Iraq war in Washington Post editorials, with Zbigniew Brzezinski saying rapid departure will likely bring stability, and Max Boot arguing it would spell disaster. The former national-security adviser says much jihadism is product of anti-American fervor, a charge Boot dismisses—adding it’s sunny optimism to expect relief at US departure.

Brzezinski argues that contending forces in Iraq will only take charge when they don’t have the US to rely on, while Boot points to those who want America to hang around. Brzezinski blames the war for allowing Iran and al-Qaeda to extend their influence, exactly the flames Boot fears would be stoked by a quick US retreat. (More Barack Obama stories.)