Finally, Nouri al-Maliki – a guy I’ve been calling an empty suit for years – seems to have grown a pair and is standing up for the Iraqi people against the Americans.
The Iraqis want our combat forces to leave in an orderly fashion by withdrawing troops using a timetable that will be mutually agreed upon. What’s not to like in this?
Well, if you’re President Bush or John McCain, you have a political problem in that you have opposed a timetable being attached to our withdrawal for years. But that was Democrats setting arbitrary timetables not the sovereign nation of Iraq giving their problematic allies a graceful way to exit with honor and a true “Mission Accomplished.”
Saddam is gone. His WMD programs are history. The Iraqi army has proven in Basra, in Sadr City, and most especially in Mosul that they are capable of handling the security of the country (internal). The police – while still a large problem as far as corruption – performed quite well in Mosul also.
Just what is it we are still needed for?
Security from external threats? Agreed – but we don’t need 135,000 troops for that. We don’t need 50,000 troops in Iraq either. A “tripwire” force of less than 20,000 should be all that’s needed to keep Iran or Syria or any other hostile power from violating the territorial integrity of Iraq. With the pre-placement of equipment for a much larger force along with several thousand American advisers to continue the Iraqi’s training, a large combat presence will be tough to rationalize.
It was unrealistic of us to think that we could nurture this fledgling democracy through its growing pains and into the light of true liberty. At some point, the apron strings must be cut and the Iraqi government and people must go out on their own and find their own path to freedom. It will be messy. There will be stops and starts. It won’t look much like western style democracy. But the Iraqis must develop their own traditions, their own institutions if they are to succeed in joining the free nations of the world.
Ben Franklins admonishment to a woman outside of Independence Hall after the Constitution was agreed upon at the convention should hold special meaning for the Iraqis. When asked by the lady what kind of government to delegates had given the people Franklin responded “A republic ma’am – if you can keep it.” I don’t know exactly what kind of government will emerge in the coming years in Iraq. All I’m sure of is that it will be an Iraqi government. It may be free. It may be less free. It may devolve into a dictatorship – perhaps even mimicing the clerical fascists next door in Iran.
And while we will watch with great interest and even powerful emotions, it matters not what we think. We have done all that we can to give them this opportunity – an opportunity that cost us more than 4,000 brave souls and countless thousands who returned maimed, disfigured, and emotionally troubled. Other unforseen consequences will no doubt emerge not the least of which is a regional power in Iran who will try their best to undermine what we have started in Iraq. They may succeed. And then again, they may not. There are many in Iraq who are dedicated to establishing a secular democratic state. Perhaps their good hearts and good intentions will hold off the beast to the south who will work through proxies to try and destablize the nascent state.
But it will not be our direct concern anymore. Take the deal, Mr. President. The Iraqis have grown up and are ready to take responsibility for their own security, their own state. Hasn’t that been our goal all along.
Make the deal, Mr. Bush. It will be your parting gift to the country and might – just might – raise you up in the estimation of your countrymen. Goodness knows you’ve done enough the last 8 years to lower it.
8:29 am
amen!!
8:57 am
/agree. if the Iraqi Gov’t says it’s ready to stand on it’s own two feet, we should respect that- isn’t it what Bush said in the first place, or was that appeasement rhetoric? We run the risk of wearing out the welcome in the very near future if this is so- and our over-stressed,turnstile-deployed troops need time to re-charge.
9:25 am
He will ultimately take the deal. Even if he does not, the Iraqis will decide for him. Iraq is a soverign country now. When the Iraqis want the Americans out, they will set the date and American and other coaliton forces will withdraw. There will be no negotiations.
9:55 am
[...] Rick Moran makes the point here: The Iraqis want our combat forces to leave in an orderly fashion by withdrawing troops using a timetable that will be mutually agreed upon. What’s not to like in this? [...]
10:49 am
Iraqi Call for Withdraw?...
Malki is calling for a US troop withdraw by 2011.
“BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — A deadline should be set for the withdrawal of U.S. and allied forces from Iraq, and the pullout could be done by 2011, an Iraqi government spokesman said Tuesday.
Ali…
11:13 am
Oliver Stone better hurry with his flick. I have a feeling that with these events in Iraq and more exposure to our current crop of Presidential choices W is going to make a bit of a comeback with the populace.
I wonder what Nancy P. and Harry R. have planned to do the same for them? Nancy essentially has no support – just 10% for not being an ‘R’ and 2% from friends and family.
11:22 am
[...] Iraqi’s are growing [...]
11:46 am
It has become clear that Bush’s real plan in invading Iraq was for oil and to establish a military fortress in the heart of the Middle East. Forget the phony WMDs and any talk of creating a democracy for the downtrodden people of Iraq.
Bush continues to “secretly” negotiate with Prime Minister Maliki. Senator Casey PA-D) spoke from the senate floor recently in asking that Bush allow Congressional approval of any deal being proposed. Bush and his cronies have been telling the American people and Congress to go to hell for the last seven years by operating a secret and contemptuous administration that refuses to be restrained by law and public opinion – nowhere is this more evident than with the secret negotiations with Iraq. Why doesn’t our congress have any say in any long term agreements with Iraq? Why won’t disclose the plan to the American people?
_______________________________________________________
Bush’s plan to steal as much Iraqi oil as possible –
Bush and the oil companies put together a sweetheart deal that would have given them exclusive rights on most of Iraq’s oil. It looked like a done deal as contracts looked imminent. However, yesterday, Iraq told Bush and the competing oil companies to go to hell when Iraq’s Oil Minister; Hussein al-Shahristani, told a press briefing:
“We did not finalise any agreement with them because they refused to offer consultancy based on fees as they wanted a share of the oil. Iraq will not enter into production-sharing contracts with any energy major, while service arrangements for overseas firms would require locals partners. We think there is no need to share Iraq’s oil with anybody.”
_______________________________________________________
Bush’s plan to make Iraq a “client state” –
Some of the details have been made public (Iraq informs their people and both the prime minister and their parliament must approve the deal) which has created quite a controversy as the Iraqi people, clerics and Government representatives are uniting in opposition to any “agreement” that strips them of their national sovereignty – God bless them! Not to be deterred, Bush issued a threat, essentially blackmail in the amount of $50 billion dollars, to pressure Iraq into accepting his terms.
The Iraqis are reasonable in objecting to Bush’s demand for 58 military bases. Iraq would become a client state instead of a sovereign state. And the Iraqis know their country would be used by the US to launch covert military operations in both Iran and Syria and they would be pulled into the coming US/Israeli war against Iran.
Bush’s rush to get the deal done may be part of a plan to attack Iran. According to press reports; the Bush administration is seeking the “power to determine if a hostile act from another country is aggression against Iraq.” Ali al Adeeb, a leading member of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s Dawa party, confirmed that “the Americans insist that is they who define what is an aggression on Iraq and what is democracy inside Iraq.”
This language could allow the U.S. to brand Iran as an enemy of Iraq and attack Iran in the name of defending Iraq. The Washington Post explains that the administration is seeking “the prerogative for U.S. forces to conduct operations without the approval of Iraq.
A spokesman for Muqtada al-Sadr voiced the growing resentment in Iraq in stating that “The agreement must be rejected because it is synonymous with humiliation and disgrace.” Jalal al-Din al-Saghir from the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq called the US proposals “more abominable than the occupation. Now we are being asked to sign for our own occupation.”
The lame duck Bush should stop negotiating in secret. I am certain the vast majority of Americans wants out of Iraq and do not want to build an empire – from the pay checks of the disappearing middle class. Don’t expect Bush to allow Iraq to become a sovereign state. He will fight this tooth and nail. Bush should be placed in country club prison for the remainder of his term to protect us and the world from his diabolical ambitions.
“It has become clear that Bush’s real plan in invading Iraq was for oil…”
Yeah – clear as mud. It’s only clear to those who choose to blind themselves to reality.
ed.
11:56 am
I welcome the Iraqi invitation to leave, but we should make some suggestions about helping them secure their future. Having a 300,000 man army is wonderful, but it’s not enough. They live in a rough neighborhood and will need some support. 2011 may be possible, but we need to start now.
First, they have no air defense or fixed wing close air support capability. In the battle against the Madhi Army in Basra, we provided close air support with fixed wing and rotorcraft. One of the units left in Iraq should be alert facilities and surface to air defense systems.
Second, the Kurds (acyually the PKK) are a problem. Once we are gone, the Turks will act with considerably less restraint.
Third, they have no logistics/mobility assets. These would be easier to develop than fighter and rotorcraft operators, but again we need to get them started.
1:13 pm
The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the – Web Reconnaissance for 07/09/2008 A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention, updated throughout the day…so check back often.
1:37 pm
To # 6
Sorry to say but Bush is beyond making a bottom of the ninth two-out rally.
Even a 5-10% bump is too little too late.
11:09 pm
#11
too late for what? the damage was done long ago, but mind you he will re-appeal to many of those on the right that he had lost… then again if you predict 10% bump that is really quite a lot, when you start at 38% hell that is a quarter improvement of his prior.
4:17 am
“Take the deal, Mr. President. The Iraqis have grown up and are ready to take responsibility for their own security, their own state. Hasn’t that been our goal all along.”
Ha! Yeah. That’s been the goal. Sure. I would say that there are about 15% of the people that still actually believe that. What a thought. Trillions in debt, and countless dead and maimed, so that Iraq could have it’s own state.
Trillions in debt, and countless dead and maimed, so that Iraq could have it’s own state
The war has cost around $800 billion. That’s hardly adding “trillions” to the debt. But you knew that. You wrote it because exaggeration is the only way you can make a point. You can’t argue on an intellectual level so you argue on an emotional level.
I would guess your age at about 14 but that might be a little generous.
ed.
10:16 am
While it was not a big part stated in the original goals (giving them the shot a self determined gvt) it WAS an early adjustment made in our goals and should be seen as such. Many will not see it that way but facts are facts.
We are now in the position to ensure that we have achieved and can secure an honerable retirement from the battlefield with a stong sense of a hard earned victory. One we earned with blood, treasure and sweat.
Whether it was specific to the original goal is immeterial.
No plan survives contact with the enemy after all.
12:13 pm
Rick, you are right. $800 billion is the approximate cost if the war, debt interest, and services, end right now. Which they won’t. But you knew that.
My “exaggeration” was all inclusive for the entire cost. Which, I absolutely guarantee will be trillions.
Let’s not forget about the massive cost of the health care for the physically and mentally maimed veterans. Extrapolate that cost over the number of years that the very last one lives.
Add that to the cost of the continued occupation for untold years.
Trillions. Guaranteed.
8:14 pm
8DrKrbyLuv Said:
11:46 am
It has become clear that Bush’s real plan in invading Iraq was for oil and to establish a military fortress in the heart of the Middle East. Forget the phony WMDs and any talk of creating a democracy for the downtrodden people of Iraq.
Good to see the Anti-American/Pro-Jihadi Democratic Traitor Leftist Nutbag™ make an appearance….
1:47 pm
Dr. Luv:
I guess your region must venerate a catatonic, cud chewing capacity for dissembling along with a talent ofr self delusion equalled only by your belief in your own intelligence and omnipetence. Most people learn that being infantile, indolent, and inspid is not what you want on your resume.
So do us all a favor and post at DU where great minds like yours bray at the moon.