I just wanted to say Myleah (sorry if that is spelt wrong) that you seem to be defending yourself more than you are defending him IMO. You say that you won't really cut ties completely because he told you not to; seems to me that you are giving us an excuse not to cut ties, especially after he told you he needed his own time/space. What Anthony says is very true in that he is definitely not the same as he was then.
If you want people's advice and everyone is telling you the same thing, then why aren't you following it. DOn't get me wrong, I now it must be hard especially with him being in such a dangerous place and so far away. I think it is actually harder for you to cut ties with him then it was for him to ask you.
In my experience, when my partner asks for his space and I give it to him, for however long, he will usually come back. However, we have had some really big problems at the times when I have not respected his wishes, as it makes him feel as though I am undermining his ablity to know what he needs and wants.
Just a thought...
Tammy