As the death toll of American troops in Iraq continues to rise, many Americans are now urging President Bush to end the war and bring the troops home.
But others say the issue is much more complex and no one should rush the process.
"Withdrawing the troops from Iraq wouldn't be a good idea for Iraq or for America at this time," said Douglas Cupples, a professor of history at The University of Memphis.
"If we were to leave Iraq, it would open the gates to retaliation," Cupples said. "We would be at the mercy of the terrorists."
He said withdrawing would not only send the wrong message to the terrorists, but it would put many people in danger.
"I think the Iraqi people will pay the price of us leaving," he said. "These people are depending on us to protect them and to rebuild their country."
Cupples also said it would be a mistake for the president to set a timetable for an exit of troops from Iraq, even though many, including some politicians, want him to do so.
"I just think they are being unrealistic," Cupples said. "We shouldn't exit Iraq until the Iraqis can manage their problems."
On Tuesday, the Republican-controlled senate defeated a proposal by Democrats to pressure Bush into outlining a timetable for a withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.
Cupples said he has no problem with the administration providing updates on the war from time to time.
"We should set goals of when we can gradually start withdrawing troops as soon as the Iraqis take control of their government," he said.
"In the end, we made a commitment, and we should follow through with it," Cupples said.
Lauren Gam, a junior fashion design major, said American troops should not leave Iraq until we have accomplished what we said we would.
"If you start something, you should finish it," she said. "You can't rush it."
Warren Whitaker, a senior real estate major, said the president should set a time limit because the Iraqis have to reconstruct their government at some point.
"We just can't keep our troops in Iraq forever," Whitaker said.
