Marines Press to Remove Their Forces From Iraq

[cal04]

The Marine Corps is pressing to remove its forces from Iraq and to send marines instead to Afghanistan, to take over the leading role in combat there, according to senior military and Pentagon officials.

The idea by the Marine Corps commandant would effectively leave the Iraq war in the hands of the Army while giving the Marines a prominent new role in Afghanistan, under overall NATO command.

The suggestion was raised in a session last week convened by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates for the Joint Chiefs of Staff and regional war-fighting commanders. While still under review, its supporters, including some in the Army, argue that a realignment could allow the Army and Marines each to operate more efficiently in sustaining troop levels for two wars that have put a strain on their forces.

As described by officials who had been briefed on the closed-door discussion, the idea represents the first tangible new thinking to emerge since the White House last month endorsed a plan to begin gradual troop withdrawals from Iraq, but also signals that American forces likely will be in Iraq for years to come.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/11/washington/11military.html?hp

[tularetom]

1. Pretty effin smart those Marines

They can see what a cluster fuck Iraq is and they don't want anything to do with it. Better to send your people to Afghanistan where there is at least a chance they won't wind up as targets for the entire population, and leave the Army to deal with the mess in Iraq. Bad news is it ensures there will have to be a draft to replace the Marines going to Afghanistan with army troops if somebody doesn't wake the hell up quick and put an end to this fuckin joke.

[AuntPatsy]

2. It would be nice if they were honest as to why, I think you nailed it.

[Disturbed]

3. Six years of War On Afghanistan & Karzai offers olive branch

to the leader Omar of the Taleban, which was rejected until foreign troops leave Afghan soil.

Karzai makes offer to Taliban - Focus on Afghanistan - MSNBC.com
KABUL, Afghanistan - President Hamid Karzai offered Saturday to meet personally with Taliban leader Mullah Omar for peace talks and give the militants a ...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21045198/

[UTUSN]

4. Come on home, Marines. Daddy navy department is calling you HOME!!1 n/t

[TacticalPeek]

5. Good. Afghanistan is where the actual perps are after all.

:kick:

[madrchsod]

6. there is something very interesting about all this

who is actually leaking this story and why. if this was a real war leaking this would be treasonable offense ,in fact this could be now because we are telling the "bad guys" that our tactics may change thus giving them time to at least plan for this change..