Despite political uncertainties in Iraq, U.S. sticking with drawdown plan

[Lasher]

Source: Washington Post

BAGHDAD -- The U.S. military is on track to draw down to 50,000 troops in Iraq by the end of the summer, but it now faces the long-dreaded prospect that its exit could coincide with a power vacuum similar to the one that drove the country to civil war in 2006.

Approaching what it calls the end of its combat mission in Iraq, the U.S. military will maintain substantial firepower here for the near future. But it will have to adjust to waning resources, influence, mobility and money like never before. And it will be drawing down amid a political standoff in the wake of the March 7 parliamentary elections that has no end in sight.

American commanders are watching the sluggish government formation process closely and warily. The risks are high, with U.S. and Iraqi military commanders expressing fears ranging from a possible resurgence of Shiite militias to the splintering of security forces along sectarian lines.

But the Obama administration has so far stuck to its timeline that calls for a drawdown to 50,000 troops -- roughly half the current total -- by Sept. 1, and the complete pullout of U.S. forces by the end of 2011. It has also disappointed some Iraqis who would like to see Washington play a more assertive role in brokering the political impasse.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/13/AR2010051305655.html

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Such as it is, Obama has not so far scrapped his Iraq withdrawal plan.

[Robb]

1. The Washington Post. They're in on it.

[impik]

2. Well, i guess this post won't get 100 recs and be on the front page, i guess

Only disgusting FDL bullshit get that.

[Lasher]

3. Well whatever could you mean by that?

Here's a little history, treading lightly on account of discussion forum civility rules:

In Oct. 2007, Obama supported removing all combat troops from Iraq within 16 months, saying, “I will remove one or two brigades a month, and get all of our combat troops out of Iraq within 16 months. The only troops I will keep in Iraq will perform the limited missions of protecting our diplomats and carrying out targeted strikes on al Qaeda. And I will launch the diplomatic and humanitarian initiatives that are so badly needed. Let there be no doubt: I will end this war.”

http://www.barackobama.com/2007/10/02/remarks_of_senator_barack_obam_27.php

But during the debate with McCain, the withdrawal became a reduction when he said, “We should end this war responsibly. We should do it in phases. But in 16 months we should be able to reduce our combat troops, provide some relief to military families and our troops and bolster our efforts in Afghanistan so that we can capture and kill bin Laden and crush al Qaeda.”

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/26/debate.mississippi.transcript/

And then in February 2009 the 16 month deadline was extended for 3 more months and the number of troops to remain was defined as 30,000 to 50,000. This was when the current August 31, 2010 deadline was established.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-02-26-obama-iraq_N.htm

I have in the past said that during the campaign Obama promised an 18 month withdrawal. But I've been wrong about that. Until February 2009 we were looking a a 16 month timeframe. On May 20, 6 days from now, Obama shall have been in office for 16 months.