if we do not stay & help iraq establish some form of
government, an overthrow is imminent, almost certainly from iran;
who would then have a border that much closer to israel......
Now to the east of iran there is taliban occupied afghanistan (a country
WE helped fend of russia in 80's) who like nothing more than to overthrow
pakistan (a country with nuclear weapons) with our allie india next door........
we will have a large presence in the area for a long time.
also good that we have operations out of qatar.