U.S. troops may be out of Iraq in 16 months: Obama

[DeepModem Mom]

Source: Reuters

President-elect Barack Obama said on Monday he believed U.S. combat troops should leave Iraq within 16 months of his taking office but he would listen to advice from military commanders.

"I believe that 16 months is the right timeframe but, as I've said consistently, I will listen to the recommendations of my commanders," Obama said after unveiling his nominees for top national security posts.

Obama said a new security pact between Iraq and the United States already put the United States on a "glide path" to pulling out of Iraq. He also noted that a "residual" U.S. force may need to remain in Iraq longer than combat troops.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE4B05IW20081201?feedType=RSS&feedName=politicsNews&rpc=22&sp=true

[onehandle]

1. The "residual U.S. force" will be there to protect the house that Halliburton built.

The embassy and numerous bases.

For decades.

But at least the war will finally be over.

[Winterblues]

8. "But at least the war will finally be over."

What "war"? Do you mean the Occupation? If what has been going on in Iraq is called a "war" I hope to God we never see a real "war"...We would not be very happy I can tell you. I endured what was called a "Conflict" and we were engaged with the third largest standing army on earth at the time..We have not fired a shot at a uniformed soldier for over six years...Yet we keep on a killing folks..

[balantz]

9. Not war. Illegal occupation. Murderous corporate venture. n/t

[xchrom]

2. as long as the vast majority will be home - i'll be satisfied. nt

[mike_c]

3. this is WRONG, IMMORAL, ILLEGAL, and just plain EVIL....

Have I made clear how much utter fucking contempt I have for U.S. foreign policy? Every day U.S. troops stay in Iraq is a crime against humanity. Keeping them there a month is 30 days of war crimes. Keeping them there two months is 60 days of war crimes. Keeping them there 16 months, with some contingent possibly-- probably-- staying indefinitely is an inexcusable continuation of crimes against humanity FOR NO GOOD REASON except to assuage the pride of the criminals.

Note that there has been no discussion of objectives to be met-- just timelines for withdrawal or continuance, as if 16 months is some sort of magic number. What will happen in 16 months? If there isn't any specific objective to achieve in 16 months, why not leave sooner-- or later? If it's right to end the crime in 16 months, why isn't it right to end it sooner?

In fact, there is absolutely no justification for staying even one single day beyond Jan 20-- except for the need to effect an orderly withdrawal, but that could certainly be done in fewer than 16 months. It could easily be done in three months, but if we acknowledge the need to withdraw in three months-- because staying longer is WRONG and IMMORAL-- then that very imperative argues for the most rapid withdrawal possible.

In fact, Obama is repudiating the truth about the war of aggression against Iraq. He's refusing to acknowledge that it is utterly wrong, that every day we continue it is another stain on American history. He is, in effect, endorsing the continuance of crimes against humanity.

[leftchick]

4. I hate his repeat of the repuke farce

of 'Homeland' and 'The War on Terra'. Total utter bullshit.

[bread_and_roses]

10. all too true (n/t)

[balantz]

5. So they've finally killed enough people for the oil corporations?

Let's see, 16 months left. Now how many more orphans, diseases, fear, anguish, depleted uranium, destroyed infrastructure, and utter hatred toward the good old USA can the forces accomplish in that amount of time.

And then it will be on deeper into Afghanistan and now into Pakistan? And where else?

Bin Laden has been dead for years. Bhutto told us shortly before she was taken out. I don't believe anything the corporate-owned MSM says about anything.

[AmyCamus]

6. Dear Mr. Obama, Please look up the word MANDATE in your dictionary.

We gave you a mandate. And you gave us Clinton and Gates?

[Selatius]

7. Define "residual" for us, Obama. Define it. The devil is always in the details. nt

[bluestateguy]

11. Obama always promised that all "combat" troops would be out in 16 months

Now how many and which troops are defined as "non-combat" is anybody's guess.