Thursday, February 26, 2009

Officials: Obama Says Iraq Pullout By Aug 2010

U.S. Army soldiers scan for suspicious activity while patrolling the Diyala River Valley in Iraq, Dec. 27, 2008. The soldiers are assigned to the 25th Infantry Division's 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Walter J. Pels

From Yahoo News/AP:

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama told lawmakers on Thursday he plans to withdraw most American troops from Iraq by August 2010 but leave tens of thousands behind to advise Iraqi forces and protect U.S. interests, congressional officials said.

Obama is expected to announce the new strategy on Friday during a trip to the Marine Corps base at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

In a closed-door meeting with Republican and Democratic leaders, Obama and his top advisers estimated that 35,000 to 50,000 troops would remain in Iraq after the bulk of troops are withdrawn.

Read more ....

My Comment: 50,000 is a low number to me. When you consider what is at stake .... 50,000 is a pathetic amount of personnel. I know that there will still be tens of thousands of soldiers in nearby countries, but from where I am standing this is a dangerous risk. It took years to pacify Germany and Japan after the Second World War .... what makes Iraq any different?

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