U.S. Military Prepared To Leave Iraq

U.S. soldiers fold their flag as they prepare to hand over a base to Iraqi forces in Basra in June. (ATEF HASSAN - REUTERS)

Getting Ready For The Big Switch In Iraq -- Washington Post

If you get to spend any time with Iraqi political leaders of any sort, as The Federal Eye did during a brief stint in Iraq this summer, they'll likely discuss their deep-rooted eagerness to work with “Americans with civilian suits, not military uniforms.”

That day is fast approaching.

Iraqi leaders still haven’t decided whether they want to extend a three-year security agreement beyond the end of the year, and if they don’t make a formal request by Dec. 31, all U.S. troops and equipment will pack up and leave. In their wake, the State Department plans to deploy about 17,000 American diplomats and security personnel across Iraq, comprising its largest diplomatic presence in the world — and the largest contingent of federal employees and contractors outside the United States.

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My Comment: Even with the U.S. military leaving .... 17,000 US State Department employees and contractors in Iraq is still a huge U.S. footprint .... and one should also not forget that the U.S. military will still be next door in Kuwait.