Read this excerpt from "Not a Dove, But No Longer a Hawk."

Despite these misgivings, I do not see how we can do anything but continue to prosecute the war. We can and should limit the violence and the suffering being inflicted on the civilians as much as possible, but for whatever reasons, successive Administrations in Washington have carried the commitment in Vietnam to the point where it would be very difficult to prevent any precipitate retreat from degenerating into a rout. If the United States were to disengage from Vietnam under adverse conditions, I believe that the resulting political and psychological shockwaves might undermine our entire position in Southeast Asia.

Which statement best describes the paradox in this excerpt?

The author acknowledges that civilians should not suffer, but states that the civilians must retreat.
The author suggests that the administrators in Washington are busy making policies while overlooking the need to end the war.
The author acknowledges that the violence should stop, but admits that a retreat might have dire consequences.
The author suggests that the Vietnamese people are counting on US support, though their political ideals are not democratic.