One objection to the argument that conditions would get even worse if America left is that conditions have got worse anyway.

有人认为，美军一走，情况会更糟。 反对者则认为，不管怎样，情况已经变糟了。

youdao

If I'd had any way of knowing that things were—as Lily Tomlin once said—going to get a whole lot worse before they got worse, I'm not sure how well I would have slept that night.

倘若有办法知道情况会比变得更糟之前还糟上许多倍，我无法肯定那天晚上我会睡得怎么样。

youdao

One objection to the argument that conditions would get even worse if America left is that conditions have got worse anyway.

ECONOMIST: George Bush and Iraq

Apparently, things had to get worse before they got better.

FORBES: Doctor Doom

Moreover, in suggesting that the situation was going to get worse before it got better and warning of the likelihood of serious violence, the leaflet was clearly threatening in character.

BBC: Sheriff's verdict in full