US troops unlikely to resume combat duties in Iraq

[Political Tiger]

WASHINGTON – It would take "a complete failure" of the Iraqi security forces for the U.S. to resume combat operations there, the top American commander in Iraq said as the final U.S. fighting forces prepared to leave the country.

With a major military milestone in sight, Gen. Ray Odierno said in interviews broadcast Sunday that any resumption of combat duties by American forces is unlikely.

"We don't see that happening," Odierno said. The Iraqi security forces have been doing "so well for so long now that we really believe we're beyond that point."

President Barack Obama plans a major speech on Iraq after his return to Washington, according to a senior administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity Sunday because details were being finalized. The speech will come shortly after Obama returns to the White House on Aug. 29 from his Martha's Vineyard vacation.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100823/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_us_iraq

[Cha]

1. Thanks for this, PT..

One can only hope that this does go according to plan and there will be no Americans involved in the stupid killing that bush and cheney got us into on March 20, 2003.

[quiet.american]

2. This is a BFD for which it seems to me Obama is not receiving enough credit.

However, the important thing is that so many of our troops have finally been able to leave Iraq for good, and http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/08/11/press-briefing-press-secretary-robert-gibbs-8112010">all of them will be home from Iraq by the end of next year.

Thanks for posting, this PT.

[Peacetrain]

3. It is a BFD .. but after that fiasco Bush had with Mission Accomplished

the President is sort of hemmed in and forced to play it at a much lower key.. but it is HUGE