Iraq Withdrawal Date For U.S. Troops May Be Pushed Back Beyond 2011

[TransitJohn]

WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration is evaluating whether to keep troops in Iraq beyond the planned withdrawal date, a decision that would extend an unpopular war that the American public expected to end this year.

The Status of Forces Agreement signed by Iraq and the United States during the Bush administration says all U.S. troops must leave Iraq by Dec. 31, 2011. But the contract also leaves the door open to further negotiations that would delay withdrawal.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said members of the Iraqi government have indicated they are "very open to a continuing presence" by the United States.

"And so the politicians, I think, the leaders understand the need for this kind of help, but no one wants to be the first one there supporting it," added Gates, acknowledging such a decision will face resistance in Iraq (not to mention in the United States, where just 33 percent of the public now supports the war).

Pentagon spokesperson Elizabeth Robbins confirmed to The Huffington Post that U.S. forces could stay beyond 2011 to help the Iraqi Security Forces fill the "gaps" in their operations.

Huffington Post

Who didn't see this coming? Completely out of the blue! USA!! USA!! USA!!

[Bonobo]

1. Knock me over with a feather.

I thought we were going to convert that 600 million dollar embassy into an orphanage for the million Iraqi children that no longer have parents!

[sakabatou]

2. I'm shocked! Shocked I tell you!

[Cali_Democrat]

3. That is utterly SHOCKING!

I would NEVER have imagined such a thing could be possible!!

:sarcasm:

[Poll_Blind]

4. This is how "withdrawl negotiations" go:

"Hey we're pulling our troops out of your country but, you know, there were 10,000 soldiers who were really hoping they could spend Christmas clearing mines and, I mean, it would be a shame to let them down.

No? Ok, we'll throw in a nice flatware set. Check out the pattern on this fork. You're telling me that isn't worth having 20,000 U.S. soldiers guarding it? Come on, I have the same flatware at home and every time the inlaws are over, like 3 butter knives go missing.

No? Ok, how about the flatware set and these Toyota trucks. Now, if Mohammed cannot come to the flatware, you can bring the flatware to Mohammed! Am I right? You know...

No? Ok, how about a billion in aid. The flatware, 30,000 U.S. soldiers, these beautiful Toyota trucks- did I mention we'll do pinstriping on the trucks? We do Arabic pinstriping. Your favorite phrase from any book in the Quaran, on the hood, driver side door, whatever- your call.

No? This is about the pattern on the forks isn't it? We can negotiate this- we'll have Halliburton do a custom set with your government or tribal insignia right on the handle-

No? Ok, how about..."

And so on.

What the fuck.

PB

[bigwillq]

5. SHOCKING!

NOT!



:rofl:

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

6. They won't go until the Iraqis cough up the flowers and candy and sing "God Bless America".

[ProSense]

7. This makes absolutely no sense.

The U.S. combat role is over. The military is in the process of packing up and leaving.

What's the point of spending money to keep this operation going: residency?

[MadHound]

10. No, the point is continuing to spend money,

Money, resources, treasure, all in order to continue to make the members of the MIC even richer and more powerful.

That has been the purpose of every single conflict that the US has been involved in since the end of WWII.

[Zorra]

8. We knew this just like we knew the sun would rise this morning. nt

[The Northerner]

9. K&R What a shame if this proves to be true

[Keith Bee]

11. Well, like I said yesterday:

:argh: :mad: :grr: :nuke: :puke:

[hobbit709]

12. As Gomer Pyle used to say.

[Solly Mack]

13. ...