U.S. might ask NATO to take over control of Iraq occupation (Balt. Sun)

[Dudley_DUright]

We broke it, now you go fix it. I am sure Europe will love this proposal!:eyes:

With American costs and casualties mounting in Iraq, the Bush administration is showing new interest in putting NATO in charge of the military occupation as a way of scaling back the U.S. troop commitment, U.S. and NATO officials say.

Such a change would discomfit some administration hard-liners, as it would force the United States to share decision-making on Iraq with European leaders who opposed the U.S.-led invasion, analysts said. It might also require seeking a mandate from the United Nations Security Council, which the United States failed to get before launching the war to topple Saddam Hussein.

But as the single most powerful nation in NATO, the United States would retain military command while spreading the burden and costs among a number of nations, thereby easing demands on overstretched American forces, diplomats said.

"There is interest" in turning the mission over to NATO, although not right away, a senior Bush administration official said yesterday. "I think the American public would be pleased to see NATO helping us in Iraq. ... Americans believe in NATO and would consider it a plus to have NATO secure Iraq."

more...

http://www.sunspot.net/news/nationworld/iraq/bal-te.troops09jul09,0,5504250.story

[underpants]

1. Hmm I thought W said that we would NOT overstretch toops in Liberia

...thereby easing demands on overstretched American forces, diplomats said.

Seems we already have.

This may also mean that the pie ($$$) will have to be cut into more pieces.

[Art_from_Ark]

2. Well, heck, Rummy said we can fight a war on how many fronts?

Eight?
:crazy:

[underpants]

3. If they had followed the PNAC plan and only sent 20K troops

I guess they probably could figure that. Of course as we have seen Repubes aren't really goo dwith numbers.

[ginantonic40]

4. NATO? Jeez, that's like... so Old Europe. n/t

[Capt_Nemo]

5. I'm sceptical about this.

DoD PNACers would be dead against it. And Cheney is with them.
I smell here the workings of the Scowcroft/GHWB/Kissinger wing of
the GOP. Those guys are despicable, but all te while they are
pragmatists not ideologues, like the PNAC gang, and they are
aware of the limits of US might and the dangers of going beyond
them.
Problem is... GWB doesn´t care what they think. God talks to him
through Wolfowitz... Scary isn't it?

[Nashyra]

6. If they go to NATO Clark's visibility skyroctets

as well does his appeal to the masses as the former Retired Supreme Commander of Nato, General Wesley Clark could deliver a knock out blow to * if he decided to run. (IMHO)

[izzie]

7. Little late? That is like a smack in the face and now give me a kiss.

What is it with this guy, he is to blame for nothing and everyone has to clean up after him.

[izzie]

8. Little late? That is like a smack in the face and now give me a kiss.

What is it with this guy, he is to blame for nothing and everyone has to clean up after him.

[izzie]

Little late? That is like a smack in the face and now give me a kiss.

What is it with this guy, he is to blame for nothing and everyone has to clean up after him.

[izzie]

9. Little late? That is like a smack in the face and now give me a kiss.

What is it with this guy, he is to blame for nothing and everyone has to clean up after him.

[izzie]

10. Little late? That is like a smack in the face and now give me a kiss.

What is it with this guy, he is to blame for nothing and everyone has to clean up after him.

[izzie]

11. Little late? That is like a smack in the face and now give me a kiss.

What is it with this guy, he is to blame for nothing and everyone has to clean up after him.

[izzie]

12. Little late? That is like a smack in the face and now give me a kiss.

What is it with this guy, he is to blame for nothing and everyone has to clean up after him.

[izzie]

13. Little late? That is like a smack in the face and now give me a kiss.

What is it with this guy, he is to blame for nothing and everyone has to clean up after him.

[Neutrino]

14. JUST GIVE US THE OIL, AND YOU CAN KEEP THE REST-

This is no way for US to make a quick buck like we thought. The
Iraqi people won't lie down--just won't. So we quit. (but we
keep the Oil, ok?)

As long as we are over here though, we'll nail Iran. Oil.

[Capt_Nemo]

16. Iran is a no-go, if NATO is deployed.

Besides being political suicide for Tony Blair; France, Germany,
Belgium, Luxemburg, Norway, Greece (and maybe now Turkey!) would
veto.

That is why PNACers will do anything in their power to torpedo
such initiative. NATO is going nowhere.

[DoYouEverWonder]

15. From ABC to WWCD

The only difference is, that Clinton probably wouldn't have preemptively invaded another nation, and just like in the Baltics, he would have done it has a NATO mission, if we really did need to.

[fertilizeonarbusto]

17. hope they say

"it's your problem"