Mike Levin: “And the answer we get is there is no way to know with certainty. These specifics are simply not available. There are too…”

“And the answer we get is there is no way to know with certainty. These specifics are simply not available. There are too many imponderables. That is true, there are clearly some uncertainties. But it seems obvious to me the planners at the Pentagon must have some range of time or else there is no exit strategy, or else it is forever. Previous administrations have been criticized for not having exit strategies, not having estimates in time, for making their estimate too short: They will be home by Christmas. But that is no excuse for not having some range--that we will be there from 1 to 3 years according to the best estimate. The worst case scenario is X number of years, best case scenario is such and such. The best case scenario is we won't have problems with the Kurds or the Shia will not be attacking the Sunni. The worst case scenario is we will have those kinds of civil wars. There are best case and worst case scenarios which allow planners who are working actually on estimated costs and exit strategies to come up with some kind of an estimate upon which we can base future resources and expenditures of this Nation.”