News Release

September 29, 2004

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Cato experts available to analyze Thursday's debate

WASHINGTON--The following Cato Institute foreign policy and security experts are available to comment on Thursday's presidential debate:

Christopher Preble, director of foreign policy studies

"The United States need not retain troops in Iraq to protect our vital security interests there. The removal of U.S. troops would not, and must not, signal that the United States has chosen to ignore events in Iraq. Instead, the withdrawal must be coupled with a clear and unequivocal message to the people of Iraq: do not threaten us; do not support anti-American terrorists; do not develop weapons of mass destruction. If you do, we will be back." From "Exiting Iraq and Renewing the War on Al Qaeda."

Charles V. Peña, director of defense policy studies

"Attempting to forcibly democratize the Middle East amounts to more U.S. interventionism abroad that reduces rather than increases security at home. Furthermore, the official goal of democratization highlights the hypocrisy of U.S. support for authoritarian and repressive regimes in Muslim countries, such as Egypt and Pakistan. The result is just more fuel to stoke the fire of anti-American radicalization throughout the Islamic world." From "Prerequisite for Victory Against Terrorism.

Jonathan Clarke, research fellow in foreign policy studies and co-author of America Alone: The Neo-Conservatives and the Global Order(Cambridge University Press, 2004)

"Making the case for the decade-old neoconservative objective of attacking Iraq required a web of deception: that Saddam Hussein had and intended to use WMDs; that Saddam protected and supported al Qaeda; and that if he were not removed these weapons might be provided to al Qaeda, which would use them against the United States." From "The Neo-cons' Manufactured Case for War."

Doug Bandow, senior fellow

"President George W. Bush has proposed bringing home upwards of 70,000 United States troops stationed in Asia and Europe. It's a good start, but remains only a start. U.S. forces, now at 140,000, must be withdrawn from Iraq as well as that nation becomes responsible for its own fate. President Bush recognizes that the status quo is untenable. His plan should be but the opening move towards full disengagement." From "Quick and Full Disengagement."