SNIP
>>So the question in my mind is, then, why not leave Saudi Arabia? It has been done before by the U.S., when President Reagan pulled all troops out of Lebanon.
>
>Well, for starters, Saudi Arabia is our ally and they have asked us to be there. Why? Primarily because of Saddam Hussein. But even more importantly, if we leave, what does that say to the terrorists? It sends a message to them that in order to get what they want, all they have to do is terrorize us.

It was a terrorist act that got the U.S. out of Lebanon and "the message" didn't seem to be a problem then.

And you would expect that if Saudi Arabia asked that U.S. troops leave, that they would leave? [FYI now that Qatar has a huge base, I think they'd leave Saudi Arabia, but seriously doubt it prior to that base existing]