You ask good questions, Mathias, that with the exception of Question #l, no one todate has been able to answer. As to #1 - Of course we should bring them home and the sooner, the better, to that we can all agree.
However, the Administration, the Assembled Congress, the Media and the citizens of this country all struggle for an answer to the WHEN? Why, that would be, when we have WON, when Victory is ours.
Now comes the hard part. The definition of 'Victory' seems as elusive as the defination of the word 'is'. Those who promise to 'stay until we have victory', have yet to define victory. That makes the 'WHEN' question impossible to answer. At least, no one, to date has provided answer.
We have joined into and are participating in a war more than 1500 years in progress that is no closer to resolution than at the start. We satisfy neither side and our effort is criticised by the entire region. We were not in at the start and many think there is no end.
One does not start an education, a construction project, or a trip without a 'goal' in mind. Failing a goal, we will wander aimlessly with no end in sight. And we are. The troops have done their job and pulled the wagon as they were directed. Now we need look to those with the reins.
We need those who pointed to the starting direction so clearly to provide the progress reports and define the end point. If those who we have equipped and trained to 'stand up' while reporting steady progress along the way - suddenly become hard of hearing, to them perhaps we should say, 'Now is the time to leave the nest and fly on your own.'
It should not be that the President and his Administration leaves the kitchen, regardless of how hot it becomes, for someone else to clean up in another administration.

litafan01, You answered the questions right, first try.