Iowa ? Republican presidential hopeful Sam Brownback said Tuesday that if the United States pulls out of Iraq too quickly, soldiers would have to return to “clean up an even bigger problem.”

“Some people think that we can bring Iraq to an end by withdrawing our troops. But I would remind them of the consequences of failure in Iraq,” Brownback said. “Iraq would become a safe haven for al-Qaida. It would become a failed state and risk a regional war. It would descend into genocidal chaos.”

Every day, Americans hear about the bad news in Iraq, making them wonder if it’s possible to win the war, he said.

Brownback said the U.S. can win, but it will require a political solution.

The Kansas senator said federalism is likely the best course for Iraq – splitting the country into three states led by the Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds.