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Kuros
Joined: 27 Apr 2004
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 Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:55 pm Post subject: Coming Home from Iraq |
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http://politics.theatlantic.com/2009/07/the_irrelevance_of_iraq.php
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Defense Secretary Robert Gates suggested that Iraq troop withdrawal could be accelerated. Some 5,000 American troops could come home because violence levels in the country were generally down and Iraqi security forces were doing well on their own. Two brigades, or about 10,000 troops, are to be withdrawn from Iraq by this year and Gates said it was possible one more brigade, or 5,000 troops, could come home, too.
[T]his is a case where the administration is doing what it said it would do and it's all going pretty well--not withstanding the spasms of violence that continue to plague Iraq. |
Well, looks like Obama IS keeping this promise. Good for him. |
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Kuros
Joined: 27 Apr 2004
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| Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 1:52 am Post subject: |
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Col. Timothy Reese: �It�s Time for the US to Declare Victory and Go Home�
His message is that the U.S. mission is now as successful as it will ever be.
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The general lack of progress in essential services and good governance is now so broad that it ought to be clear that we no longer are moving the Iraqis �forward.� Below is an outline of the information on which I base this assessment:
1. The ineffectiveness and corruption of GOI Ministries is the stuff of legend.
2. The anti-corruption drive is little more than a campaign tool for Maliki
3. The GOI is failing to take rational steps to improve its electrical infrastructure and to improve their oil exploration, production and exports.
4. There is no progress towards resolving the Kirkuk situation.
5. Sunni Reconciliation is at best at a standstill and probably going backwards.
6. Sons of Iraq (SOI) or Sahwa transition to ISF and GOI civil service is not happening, and SOI monthly paydays continue to fall further behind.
7. The Kurdish situation continues to fester.
8. Political violence and intimidation is rampant in the civilian community as well as military and legal institutions.
9. The Vice President received a rather cool reception this past weekend and was publicly told that the internal affairs of Iraq are none of the US�s business. |
And from there it just gets rather depressing. |
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mises
Joined: 05 Nov 2007
Location: retired
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| Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 7:35 am Post subject: |
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| The Col. is right imo. They've achieved the upper limit of what they are able, given the political limits (both in the US and Iraq) on a further escalation and longer occupation. There are two choices: 1) leave or 2) internationalize it. Unless "the world" is willing to make serious, long term and brave commitments, the upper limit on success is likely here. I don't think the so-called international community has the desire to see their own being blown up so it is time to go. |
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GwangjuParents
Joined: 31 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 3:41 am Post subject: |
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| So where all all these troops coming home going to work? |
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