Here is comes. They are finding a way to keep troops in Iraq, without a formal request.

[tekisui]

Iraq Needs U.S. Troops to Stay Longer for Training, Maliki Says

Source: Bloomberg

Iraq may seek to keep U.S. troops in the country past this year to help with training, a role not requiring the approval of a parliament ready to reject continuation of American combat missions, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said today.

“Iraq needs the Americans for training on the sea, air and ground and sea weapons,” he said in an interview with state- sponsored Iraqiya television. “This does not need the approval of parliament,” he said.

(snip)

“(Getting approval of parliament) would be difficult, and our estimates show that it would be difficult to secure two-thirds of parliament,” Maliki said. “We are not moving toward a renewal” of parliamentary authorization for U.S. combat forces “and if some blocs are in favor of that, they don’t make up two-thirds of parliament,” he said.

(snip)

Iraq and the U.S. have begun joint operations to halt a spate of attacks on American troops by a new, more powerful type of mortar and armor-piercing roadside bombs. The U.S. military attributes the assaults to an Iranian-backed militia with weapons from Iran.

more: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-14/iraq-needs-u-s-troops-to-stay-longer-for-training-maliki-says.html

[Solly Mack]

1. K&R

[PoliticAverse]

2. Doh!! n/t

[Octafish]

3. Words, not Deeds.

Change the words and say "Done."

Who runs DC?

[NC_Nurse]

4. I wish I was surprised.

[theaocp]

5. I am Jack's complete lack of surprise.

As Jello Biafra said years ago, "Die for oil, sucker!"

[Ignis]

21. +1

:argh:

[tekisui]

6. Security Plan In Iraq After 2011 Includes Training Centers Under U.S. Guidance (10,000 Troops)

Source: MEMRI

A senior Iraqi military official has revealed that the management of the security portfolio following the withdrawal of U.S. forces on December 31 tentatively includes the maintenance of training centers in various parts of the country under U.S. guidance. The U.S. military personnel, not to exceed 10,000, will be operating within the framework of the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/39357.htm

[Divernan]

12. So MIC couldn't bribe/threaten enough Iraqi parliament members?

"U.S. military personnel, not to exceed 10,000, will be operating within the framework of the U.S. embassy in Baghdad"
Typical political double speak "within the framework" - WTF does that mean? Daily phone calls from the Embassy to troops spread thin "maintaining training centers in various parts of the country - so spread from one end of the country to the other, with a string of "forts" in places like Fallujah, Mosul, Basra, Tikrit, etc.?

That embassy is huge enough (104 acres, with 6 apartment buildings) that all 10,000 can be barracked there, and should be for their own safety. They're only there to "train" not to fight. And all the training should be conducted within 10 miles of Baghdad.

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=4579

BAGHDAD, Iraq - The fortress-like compound rising beside the Tigris River here will be the largest of its kind in the world, the size of Vatican City, with the population of a small town, its own defense force, self-contained power and water, and a precarious perch at the heart of Iraq’s turbulent future.

“Embassy Baghdad” will dwarf new U.S. embassies elsewhere, projects that typically cover 10 acres. The embassy’s 104 acres is six times larger than the United Nations compound in New York, and two-thirds the acreage of Washington’s National Mall.
This huge American contingent at the center of power has drawn criticism.
“The presence of a massive U.S. embassy — by far the largest in the world — co-located in the Green Zone with the Iraqi government is seen by Iraqis as an indication of who actually exercises power in their country,” the International Crisis Group, a European-based research group, said in one of its periodic reports on Iraq.

Estimated cost of over $1 billion
Original cost estimates ranged over $1 billion, but Congress appropriated only $592 million in the emergency Iraq budget adopted last year. Most has gone to a Kuwait builder, First Kuwaiti Trading & Contracting, with the rest awarded to six contractors working on the project’s “classified” portion — the actual embassy offices.

[Divernan]

15. Does O's administration count high paid mercenaries as "troops"?

Some US embassies are now guarded by private contractors, who hire locals who can't even speak English.


In addition, to pulling off its low-ball bid the organization hired Nepalese guards who barely spoke English to guard the U.S. Embassy in Kabul making communications impossible among guards.

ArmorGroup North America was in charge of protecting the U.S. Embassy in 2009 when allegations began to surface of deviant work practices and fraud. It was then that photos emerged showing a "Lord of the Flies Environment."

That meant, in the words of one of the guards, “peeing on people, eating potato chips out of ass cracks, vodka shots out of ass cracks (there is video of that one), broken doors after drnken brawls, threats and intimidation from those leaders participating in this activity.” (He allowed, “they are not jamming guys in the ass per say .”)

Read more, if you feel like being disgusted.
Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/armorgroup-north-america-75-million-2011-7#ixzz1SBwqOkUA

[tekisui]

17. No. He does not. There are currently more contractors than troops

in Afghanistan and Iraq. They are NEVER mentioned by Obama. It is the only way he can propel the propaganda and people will buy it.

[WinkyDink]

7. NS, S.

[gratuitous]

8. How long is military basic training?

And how long have we had troops in Iraq? But we still need to train Iraqis on sea, air and ground and sea weapons? Point the weapon at what you want to die and pull the trigger. Damn, but I hate war. More money and more lives drained away for nothing, while people starve in the streets or die from totally preventable or treatable causes. But someone's pocketing a lot of money because of the way things are, so let's just keep doing it this way.

[SaveAmerica]

9. Bring them home now, no - 9 years ago. Our troops are not meant to train the world's forces.

Especially when they're being targeted with mortars and IEDs, they can try to halt attacks all they want but it ain't going to happen. Remove the troops and attacks will stop, DUH!!!!

[bullwinkle428]

10. That "Endless/End This War" bumper sticker is more relevant than ever.

[tekisui]

11. And will be for years to come.

[Arctic Dave]

13. Complete and total bullshit. "Trainers" my ass.

If it was only about training you would need maybe 3-400 at the most. 10,000 is a military occupation plain and simple.

If Obama were true to his word, nothing Iraq would say would make us keep troops there. Obama does't seem to be a man of his word.

[tekisui]

14. Panetta admitted last week that US forces are carrying out regular

combat operations with (and possibly without) Iraqi forces. And, he has starting pointing to Iran. It is the latest justification for keeping it going.

[Divernan]

16. Well we better by god gut Medicare/Medicaid/Social Security to pay for all this!

I need to tell you that my subject line is sarcastic, because there are some around here who would enthusiastically support Obama should he do that. They have gotten so ridiculous in their "logic" that I think of them as the comic relief.

[blindpig]

18. Anyone with eyes to see...

knew this was coming 3 years ago.

[tekisui]

20. With each new revelation, I have noticed those who denied it for so long

are becoming less vocal and less adamant.

[Marr]

22. They're busy denying other things now.

If they do choose to comment on this, it will only be to say that it's "old news".

[spanone]

19. fuck maliki.....get OUT NOW