Senator McCain has not supported explicit timelines for withdrawal. McCain’s “Strategy for Victory in Iraq” states, “there are simply not enough American forces in Iraq.” He calls for more troops to “clear and hold insurgent strongholds; to provide security for rebuilding local institutions and economies; to halt sectarian violence in Baghdad and disarm Sunni and Shia militias; to dismantle Al Qaeda; to train the Iraqi Army; and to embed American personnel in Iraqi police units.” McCain said in a recent speech that in 2013 America will have “welcomed home most of the servicemen and women” from Iraq.
On a Residual force
John McCain has received significant attention for his statement at a town hall meeting in Derry, NH that he would be fine with US troops staying in Iraq for 100 years. His metric for staying is the number of American casualties:
"How long -- we have been in -- we have been in South Korea -- we have been in Japan for 60 years. We have been in South Korea for 50 years or so. That would be fine with me ... as long as Americans are not being injured or harmed or wounded or killed. Then it's fine with me. I hope it would be fine with you, if we maintain a presence in a very volatile part of the world where al Qaeda is training, recruiting and equipping and motivating people every single day.” His statement that “most servicemen and women” would return by 2013 also implies a longer-term residual force presence.
On Regional diplomacy
Senator McCain opposes engaging in negotiations with Iraq’s neighbors Iran and Syria, and instead advocates putting significant international pressure on the countries:
“The answer is not to enter into unconditional dialogues with these two dictatorships from a position of weakness. The answer is for the international community to apply real pressure to Syria and Iran to change their behavior. The United States must also bolster its regional military posture to make clear to Iran our determination to protect our forces in Iraq and to deter Iranian intervention in that country.”
On Reconstruction
Senator McCain believes there should be “a greater emphasis on non-military components promoting economic development and representative, accountable governance.” He envisions “massive reconstruction” efforts taking place in areas that have been secured, as well as a “substantial employment program.”
On Private contractors
No clear position.
On Refugee crisis & humanitarian aid
No clear position.
On Permanent bases
In an interview with Tim Russert, Senator McCain indicated he is open to the idea of permanent bases in Iraq, saying, “If that seems to be necessary in some respects. It depends on the threat." McCain’s explanation of the long-term presence in Iraq also implies a need for a base presence in Iraq.
