(CNN) -- Removing U.S. troops from Iraq could be disastrous with far-reaching global implications, CNN analysts and other observers say.
Experts warn of potential consequences for leaving too soon: Sectarian violence could erupt, al Qaeda supporters could develop an international terror hub and the likely civil war could draw countries such as Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Iran into a broader conflict.
CNN.com asked readers to sound off -- Would you support pulling U.S. troops out of Iraq if it meant triggering catastrophe? Four years in, is there a way for the U.S. to extract itself? (Send us your thoughts)
Below is a selection of the responses, some of which have been edited:
Ricardo I. Fuentes of Poughkeepsie, New York
Unfortunately, an early pullout will be catastrophic. On the other hand, a realistic set of goals has to be set and abided by. We cannot fix all problems in Iraq and the region, most of which stem from the ever increasing prevalence of radical Islam. The world should also take notice that this is not an American problem, but a world problem. Sooner or later all nations will have to deal with it.
Gerald Cherry of Troy, Missouri
We did not leave Japan or Germany after winning the war; both have worked well. Korea and Vietnam are good examples of early withdrawal. Bring our troops home sounds good, but it would be a big mistake. It is just a vote-getting rhetoric.
Leslee Martin of Jacksonville, Florida
Although I don't agree with the way things have been handled in the Iraq war, I truly believe that to leave the country before the Iraqi security forces are ready to take over would be a huge mistake.
I am so tired of the liberal left talking about the way we have "lost the war" in Iraq. I don't believe we have lost, but if they don't get over themselves and start truly supporting the troops and what they are doing, we will lose the war.
Lavella Medford of Tupelo, Mississippi
To achieve a military victory in Iraq, it appears the U.S. would have to insert thousands and thousands more troops, because we are certainly not stopping the insurgents now. I do not believe the sacrifice of life and limb this would demand of our men and women, and the thousands more innocent Iraqis who would die is justifiable by any means. This war began as one kind of war, and now it is quite another involving many complex issues. These people believe we are infidels defiling their country, and they are defending their beliefs (whether we agree with them or not) and way of life, just as we would should we be invaded by another country.
Due to the range of religious, political and economic issues involved, I believe this war can only be "won" by honestly acknowledging all of the issues involved and robustly addressing these issues politically through diplomacy involving all parties. Militarily, we may ultimately win the battle, but we will lose the war. War is a stupid way to deal with any problem.
Stephen R. Bock of Cincinnati, Ohio
The ancient Chinese general Sun Tzu said that you should never occupy a foreign nation. Invade them and defeat them militarily if need be, but never occupy the nation. To do so, he said, would sap all of the resources of the state and leave the conquering government subject to being overthrown because of the financial destitution and turmoil caused by such a pursuit. Of course he had no way of knowing of our ability to float a national debt that would sink any nation of his time. No doubt we will still be paying for this endeavor with a lower standard of living for many years in the future of America. Our national debt and negative trade balance will eventually cause an erosion of the value of the dollar and a subsequent lowering of our living standard. Think of it as one more hidden tax on top of the 50 percent in taxes we are now already paying.
E. Helton of Brooksville, Mississippi
I have felt from the beginning that this "war" was a terrible idea. But we're [it] in now, and we owe the people of Iraq and the thousands of American and allied soldiers killed and wounded to stay long enough to find a peaceful solution. I believe if we pull out too soon, we will see a bloodbath similar or worse than what we saw in the Balkins.
Jeanne Garavaglia of Chesterfield, Michigan
We cannot police the world. Iraq was a huge mistake, and we should admit it and get out. We think our government is the best, but it may not be the best for other countries. So stop trying to force it on others.
Moses Suru-Wilson of Lagos, Nigeria
Pulling the troops out of Iraq now is very dangerous, because there's no stability for now. Besides the insurgents ... have no regard for human life. I advise a stable government that can control the Iraqis be put in place before the final pullout of the troops. It's most likely that the criminals have found their way into the local police, and the Iraqi national guard. ...
Diane Dreyfus of New York
Chaos has been in Iraq since Day One when the museum in Baghdad was ransacked as U.S. forces looked on. We cannot hope to rebuild the infrastructure -- the Sunnis and Shiites blow it up as soon as it is working. The U.S. is reaping nothing but horrible fruits from this invasion. Victory is today defined as "an acceptable level of violence." Say what?
B. Hare of Orlando, Florida
We cannot afford to withdraw suddenly. We must stay and work for the time when the country of Iraq can handle harm from without and from within. Perhaps we can teach them how to be political "adversaries" and not military adversaries. This will take time and patience, not the stuff we are accustomed to in our instant gratification society.
Stephanie Creech of Aiken, South Carolina
I am personally involved with this situation. My fiancé has been to Iraq on many different occasions. He is a sergeant is the Marine Corps. To read what that soldier said about the U.S. not winning the war is ridiculous. How could you just give up like that? If we all pulled together and actually supported our troops, they definitely would have more confidence in themselves as well as the military. Seriously, what can we really do ourselves to bring them home? Why do we not just support them? They are over there anyway. I get very angry at some of the U.S. citizens now. Everyone was so for the war when 9/11 happened, but now they are not. Do they seriously think that we could win this war without our soldiers and Marines dying for us?
Judith Watts of Mustang, Oklahoma
As the daughter of a military man and wife of Vietnam vet, I recognize the importance of stabilizing Iraq before we pull out. After we pulled out of Vietnam, the communists took over. If we pull out now, there is no telling who will take over Iraq. ... I fear al Qaeda. I do not like the deaths we have suffered; however, I believe it will be a bloodbath of sectarian violence if we pull out now.
Joey Hager of Canton, Ohio
The military needs to quickly get out of Iraq. Keep a strong troop presence there is just bottling up hostilities between Sunnis and Shiites, and the longer we stay, the worse the impending civil war will be. The key is to withdraw U.S. troops to the borders, to prevent a large-scale conflict from breaking out. We cannot play referee in Iraq any longer.
Noel Barba of Miami, Florida
I agree that any fast withdrawal from Iraq would be a disaster, not only for the region but for the whole world. The terrorists would gain a foothold in Iraq and continue their global terrorist domination goals. The U.S. image would also be ruined. That's why I don't understand why the Democratic Congress wants to announce a withdrawal date to the terrorist. Everybody knows that this war has not gone well and everyone wants to bring our troops home; the war could have been handled much better, but we are in there, we need to finish the job no matter what it takes. This county cannot look weak, and we must continue to be a force of good and fight evil where ever we may find evil. The terrorists do not have anything good to offer -- just their repressive ideological vision.
Paul Gaska of Melbourne, Florida
The title of the story says it all, "No safe way for U.S. to leave Iraq, experts warn." George Bush, Dick Cheney, Don Rumsfeld and the Office of Special Plans created this disaster. Millions of people with common sense all over the world, dozens of Middle East experts and the president's own father all warned against creating this awful mess. But blind to reality, they forged ahead. Utter catastrophe now or two years from now will still be a catastrophe. The only difference will be the blood of more brave Americans and innocent Iraqis on Bush's hands and on America's collective conscience. Every day Americans kill more innocent people is another day that America creates another enemy. Here is an analogy: A child tackles a playground bully and pins him to the ground to stop him from picking on other kids. There is "no safe way" to let him back up, but the longer he's pinned to the ground the more he will lash out once he gets up. It is far too late for "good" solutions to the mess that Bush created, only "less awful" outcomes. Impeach Bush and Cheney, get our troops out of Iraq, and issue a collective apology to the world. This will at least slow the hemorrhage of American blood in the sands of Iraq.
Michelle of Clearwater, Minnesota
I fully support our troops and believe that by pulling them out too soon can be a disaster and more terrorist attacks will occur. Pulling out would show that our country is weakening, and we need to stand strong for what we believe in, freedom. I think many people forget that we were attacked. We did not start this war; we are just trying to finish it the right way. I have heard many good things from people who have been over to Iraq more than once, saying that the Iraqis feel safer and appreciate what we are trying to do over there.
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