Re: [Marxism] Obama to remove ALL troops from Iraq

[Eli Stephens <elishastephens@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Pat, quoting the NY Times:
"Those “transitional forces” will leave by 2011 in accordance with a
strategic agreement negotiated by President George W. Bush before he
left office."
It's better to quote the direct source, Barack Obama. Here's what he had to say 
about the withdrawal of the so-called "combat" troops:

"As we carry out this drawdown, my highest priority will be the
safety and security of our troops and civilians in Iraq. We will
proceed carefully, and I will consult closely with my military
commanders on the ground and with the Iraqi government. There will
surely be difficult periods and tactical adjustments."
So even that plan isn't an ironclad commitment, but subject to "tactical 
adjustments" depending on events. In others words, if the insurgency kicks it 
into gear as the Taliban are doing in Afghanistan right now (not that I see 
that happening), it's quite likely Obama would INcrease the number of troops in 
Iraq.

As for removing the remaining 35,000-50,000 "non-combat" troops:


"Through this period of transition, we will carry out further
redeployments. And under the Status of Forces Agreement with the Iraqi
government, I intend to remove all U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of
2011."
He "intends" to remove them. And George Bush was intending to "stand down" 
American forces as "the Iraqis stood up" five years ago. We shall see what 
actually happens. But assuming today that Obama's intentions, any more than 
Bush's, will come to pass, is just that - an assumption whose odds of happening 
everyone can guess for themselves. 




Eli Stephens
 Left I on the News
 http://lefti.blogspot.com


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