Dear B....for a military "trying to get ourselves out of there", demonstrates some piss poor leadership, since we have plenty of transport planes & ships, if that's the goal. Now, if there's a "mission" we're still endeavoring to achieve, that's different, and justifies the need to keep troops on the ground and assets in the area
That said, knowing what little I know of Muslim/Arabic culture, and Miss Henny can correct me if its wrong, an "apology" is seen as weakness, especially in the eyes of Islamic radicals. Actually emboldens them. IF that's all there is. My comment stand justified in that an apology is all well and good to placate the politically crowd, but without an associated step up in military action, merely renders our troops that much more at risk......which has come to fruition now
The "apology" alone did the polar opposite of diffusing anything.