Report: US Missing ‘Key Milestones’ in Iraq
Inspector General Warns Military Falling 'Significantly Behind Schedule'
A new report to be issued Thursday by the State Department’s Inspector General will show that the military is missing a number of its “key milestones” for the transition of responsibilities in Iraq.
The report concedes that some of the delays are “beyond the Department’s control” but says that others are simply a function of decision-making delays, it cautions that the military is falling “significantly behind schedule” on the planned handover.
Some of this may be the result of the usual bureaucratic incompetence so often seen in overseas missions, but at a time when the military is petitioning hard to continue its presence in Iraq it is perhaps unsurprising to see them dragging their feet in this manner.
The current official plan is to replace the US military force with a massive private army of civilian contractors operating under State Department control. This force would be presumed to stay for years before the December 2011 deadline for ending the war. US officials have made it clear, however, that they want to retain a significant military presence in addition to this State Department force, potentially for years going forward.
Last 5 posts by Jason Ditz
- No Deal: US Restarted Pakistan Drone Strikes Despite Objections - February 22nd, 2012
- Syrian National Council Demands Foreign Invasion - February 22nd, 2012
- State Dept.: Pakistani Taliban 'Not Welcome' at Truce Talks - February 22nd, 2012
- Israeli FM: Our Decision to Attack Iran None of US, Russia's Business - February 22nd, 2012
- Hunger Strike Ends, but Adnan's Detention Without Charges Doesn't - February 22nd, 2012
thedissenter
June 2nd, 2011 at 4:53 am
"US Missing ‘Key Milestones’ in Iraq" – ROFL! That's the understatement of the century.
curmudgeonvt
June 2nd, 2011 at 6:00 am
This might have been news IF the military had ever intended to meet those milestones. They're probably waiting for a couple of things to come to pass: 1. Take Sadr out of the picture. 2. Let Prince (XE – or whatever he calls his company this week) complete the recruitment and fielding (at US expense no doubt) of the contract (mercenary) force – who might be waiting for the State Dept to ensure that Prince's contractors have complete and guaranteed immunity from anything that might (will) happen. 3. Complete the building of permanent base facilities in Afghanistan in which to house the forces transferring out of Iraq cause we know the USG is not going to EVER leave the area and need a staging area to support the invasion and occupation of Pakistan.
andy
June 2nd, 2011 at 9:35 am
Don't hold your breath waiting for the empire to leave Iraq.