Iraq's Maliki Looks To Faster Withdrawal
The Pentagon is still focussed on 24-36 months (or more) despite what Obama or Maliki might say.
Iraqi prime minister Nouri "Napoleon" al-Maliki says he expects the US to withdraw from Iraq faster than promised, and he's just fine with that.
President Barack Obama campaigned on a promise to remove all combat troops within 16 months and has asked the Pentagon to plan for "a responsible military drawdown from Iraq."
With planning under way, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki told a political rally south of Baghdad that he believes the end of the U.S. mission "will be brought forward" and that Iraq must bolster its own forces to meet the challenge after the Americans leave.
The Shiite-led government pushed for a faster U.S. pullout during last year's negotiations on the security agreement, overcoming longtime Bush administration opposition to a fixed withdrawal schedule.
Al-Maliki has been campaigning actively on behalf of his allies for next weekend's provincial elections, promoting his image as the leader who restored stability and ended what many Iraqis see as a U.S. military occupation.
Of course, Maliki expects to be left in charge of the Iraqi security forces if he can get US forces out before his rivals manage to oust him. And at that point, those rivals have no chance of ousting him if he doesn't want to go. He's already shown willing to use the security forces to bolster his own position.
But that's hardly our business. It's always been stated American policy that the US would leave when the Iraqi leadership asked them to - something that "SOFA stretchers" like Odierno and Crocker could all do with a Presidential reminder on.
Crossposted from Newshoggers
OK, so can we leave NOW????
immediately.
And let's be sure there are no Corporate remnants.
That last number I saw was 180,000 as the number of private contractors in Iraq. More than the number of troops.
Let's leave Afghanistan at the same time.
statusquObama, change you can only pretend in
Fuckin' works for ME!!
Over this very thing.
We should absolutely get the fuck outta Iraq when IRAQ wants us out.
That said, it will still take time to withdraw strategically.
One point I neglected to raise yesterday, was that, while it may take a good while to get out, that doesn't necessarily mean that we'll be fightin the whole time we're extracting personnel and equipment...
....and just what the fuck is the "Pentagon Channel?" Is this taxpayer-supported propaganda? I want my money back!!!
this is the worst use of tax dollars, as it's a gov't branch spewing propaganda to continue its momentum of bureaucratic growth. This is the result of the extreme hypocrisy of conservative politics.
On base stateside, and stationed overseas. Kinda like the Armed Forces Network right?
I've never seen it on my tv... But I could be mistook.
and we need to figure out how we can really help rebuild the country
we must help to repatriate all refugees who are currently in syria, and are probably pissed off
and they need to return before we leave
and we must also focus on fixing the mess that is afghanistan...which probably means more serious discussions with pakistan, and not the "do as i tell you, or i will bitchslap you"
isnt there anyway to get more un forces into afghanistan and iraq?
another thing to worry about, is what will happen to the troops coming home who do not wish to reup...they are facing a chilling economy
man...this is a total fubar
and when does the war crime tribunal start
sorry...im rambling....been keeping alot of stuff in over the past two weeks...but i found alot of cool pics of the innaugeration
Hey, ramble on, man! And I have some pix of the inauguration, but they're far away and not really discernable. But I had a good time!
http://gigapan.org/viewGigapan.php?id=15374
great pan and scan pic
I was on 4th street and had the best view that any non-ticket holder could have.
It was still inspiring - and cold as shit!!!!
cuz in 20 years....20 million people will all claim to have been there anyway
you coulda stayed at home or in a warm office and watched it stream...just like i did
cuz i am gonna lie to the grand kids
gonna grab me some pics from the net and pretend that i took them
Ah crap - you got a good point. I shoulda slept in and lied!
that's funny as shit!
I got an idea for that part....
The ones who do not want to reup, but who can't find a job? Well, if they didn't have to go onto the front lines they might want to, but first, we would have to cancel all contracts with Haliburton, KBR ect. who do meals and support stuff that used to be done by Army people. Train them for a job like that and maybe you would see quite a few stay. Plus, the cost for the troops would be less than paying the private companies. Just an idea.
would also bring back the whole concept of winning hearts and minds
and would remove all the contractors from the area
has obama started the process of cancelling those contracts and creating real bidding?
and with the savings, all the troops could get a wage increase
everytime i hear a wingnut say that the private sector always does a better job than government, i just look at what companiees like haliburton have done in iraq
Don't EVEN get me started on that bullshit old chestnut about how the private sector is so much better than public servants.
I've spent my entire life in public service, and it galls me how assholes like Bush think private contractors do a better job than lifelong public servants.
It's total bullshit: private contractors care about only one thing: their contract. Public servants care about the work they do and how the public benefits.
Case in point: when I worked on the National Mall, there were times when the trash cans at the Vietnam Memorial or the Korean Memorial were overflowing by 6 P.M. I would often call the custodians and ask if they would empty them. Although it was not their job, they cared enough to do it anyway, because they cared about our national treasures.
Had it been a contractor, they'd have said, "It's not in my contract." I've seen this happen time and again. Public servants ALWAYS do a better job than contractors, and absolutely care more about their commitment to the public.
Iraq will have a new President and PM after the election. Maliki was put in by Bush to follow orders. Most of the Iraq people now feel free to choose who they want to lead their country. Many have even suggested the Shoe Man be the next President or PM. Maliki will leave with the US taxpayers money that Bush gave him. Look for Iran to have a say in who rules Iraq.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShOiHPrwtHk
just what infrastructure has america rebuilt for the iraqys? do they have running water ? electricty 24 hours aday > sanitary facilitys? jesus you mean all blackwaters done is build a bunch of military bases and an embassy with all that money? and you think we will wont ever be able to leave iraq before we rebuild thier infrastructure , we wont ever make up for the things we did! just get out and declare mission accomplished , worked for the chimpy!
Faster withdrawal is what shrub's dad should have done nine months before shrub was born.
What about Mrs. Maliki?
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
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