Mission Accomplished. I guess.

[readmoreoften]

So Obama says we're getting out of Iraq, huh? If so, how come the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment (3000-5000 troops) is about to be deployed to IRAQ? The 3rd ACR has one of the highest GI death rates in the "war on terror" and is also known to deploy soldiers with PTSD, TBI (traumatic brain injury), and MST (military sexual trauma.) It is a combat and surveillance regiment (no light and fluffy support from a distant locale here.) This will be its 4th deployment since 2003.

Interesting that "winding down" a war looks identical to ratcheting it up. But, hey, the "announcement" fulfills a promise.

[anarch]

1. now see here: we are ending our combat role, just like the Prez said

the hell? You think that means we're "getting out of Iraq"? We are NEVER doing that. We're just settling into the more mundane role of long term occupier.

[mike_c]

2. Obama is only "leaving Iraq" by playing fast and loose with the definition...

...of "staying in Iraq." Same as it ever was.

[tabasco]

3. Link?

Thanks.

[JuniperLea]

4. Could it be they are replacing troops that have been there too long...

And this batch will be the last scheduled batch out?

[Barack2theFuture]

5. how many troops do we have in Kuwait and elsewhere nearby?

[bigtree]

6. they still have to rotate troops out who are due leave

I do think you've misrepresented the bulk of the troops who make up this contingent by pointing to a handful of miscreants.

Anyhow . . by the end of August, the force level should be about 50,000, down from the current 88,000 or so. That's winding down.

[Donnachaidh]

7. we have a new Embassy that is BIGGER than Vatican City in Iraq

Anyone who buys the deep brown bullshit of *we're getting out of Iraq* being spun from DC needs to contact me immediately. I have some gold and a bridge to sell them really REALLY cheap.