12 former Army captains: Bring back the draft or get out of Iraq

Today is the fifth anniversary of the authorization of military force in Iraq. Twelve former Army captains who have served in Iraq have come to this conclusion: There is one way we might be able to succeed in Iraq. To continue an operation of this intensity and duration, we would have to abandon our volunteer ...

Today is the fifth anniversary of the authorization of military force in Iraq. Twelve former Army captains who have served in Iraq have come to this conclusion:

Today is the fifth anniversary of the authorization of military force in Iraq. Twelve former Army captains who have served in Iraq have come to this conclusion:

There is one way we might be able to succeed in Iraq. To continue an operation of this intensity and duration, we would have to abandon our volunteer military for compulsory service. Short of that, our best option is to leave Iraq immediately. A scaled withdrawal will not prevent a civil war, and it will spend more blood and treasure on a losing proposition.

Carolyn O'Hara is a senior editor at Foreign Policy.

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