NATO: Iraq Mission to Continue Through End of 2013
Approval Seen as Sign Iraqi Govt 'Open' to US Extensions as Well
In an announcement that doesn’t directly impact the US troop presence, but which some see as a hint toward openness by the Maliki government, NATO today announced that Iraq has approved keeping NATO “trainers” in the country through the end of 2013.
Not only did the Maliki government agree to let them stay, they agreed to give them “protection privileges” while operating in Iraq and to pay part of the costs of their continued presence.
US officials seem to be hoping to negotiate similar terms with the Iraqis, though the massive death toll of the US occupation and the threat of a new anti-US insurgency makes approving them a much more complicated matter than the tiny NATO force.
Still, the Obama Administration is believed to be planning to keep not only a significant force inside Iraq, officially labeled “trainers,” but a number of combat troops in neighboring Kuwait to launch offensives against targets inside Iraq at a moment’s notice.
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MvGuy
September 13th, 2011 at 4:51 am
How many more deals can Malaki make behind closed doors and behind the back of Iraqi citizens to keep NATO there… ?? These "nose of the camel" moves all mitigate toward a permanent occupation, or until all the citizens die of uranium poisoning or the OIL is gone…. When, if ever, will the puppets of oil, empire and Israel ever lose to the will of the people of Iraq…… Or must we wait until the empire implodes from the economically untenable theft of oil that has the taxpayers pay trillions so the few can steal billions….
John Ellis
September 13th, 2011 at 5:40 am
People of Iraq and Empire USA have a common problem, a satanic love affair with totalitarian rulers.
John Ellis
September 13th, 2011 at 5:49 am
Root cause being a form of national insanity, for who in their right mind would vote for a Maliki, Bush or Obama Administration?
bones
September 13th, 2011 at 6:19 am
not NATO but the USA who is NATO or sheep as in wolf in sheep clothing.mostly everyone else who is smart is gone and the only ones that are there are on the payrole of the USA yes your tax dollars at work if you have any money left when this is over that is.in 5 years there will be no pension money left and food stamps will be the norm even for the middle class,soon 90% of all the income of the US will be military you just wait and seefolks,when you look up in the sky and see the missiles from every country attack the US do not be surprised as what the US has done to everyone on the planet the cup will run over
tomofsnj
September 13th, 2011 at 7:27 am
The old colonial powers or as presently known as NATO have been screwing up the middle east for over 100 years. Let us not forget that it was England and France who agreed to split the spoils of the Ottoman Empire. The problem for England is they were always defeated. They even had trouble to the zulus who fought with knives. It was the arabs and the promise of a homeland for the arabs which brought down the Ottomans and allowed the old colonial powers to take over. Their record is dismal and it will not change. If anything if they continue there present course one would expect the Ottoman empire will be back with Israel as a region of the Ottoman empire. The Ottomans had a pretty good policy with the different religions so no harm if they return. I really which they would stop calling it NATO. It is difficult to figure out what Iraq has to do with the North Atlantic other than it has oil.
Jamie N
September 13th, 2011 at 12:26 pm
NATO can't fight Lybia without America they are useless.America can't win in Afganistan or Iraq.Countrys are standing up to the criminal regim in Israel and America better not us there VETO power against a palistitians or they will no longer be friends with Sadi Arabia.Most of the world hates America and if they don't stop fighting these illegal wars one day soon they will be fighting the whole world and they stand no chance even beating China and Russia let alone all the others including there own people.I live in Canada and up untill 9/11 and the wars that followed we were liked known as peacekeepers.Now some people in the Canadian government is helping America fight these illegal wars witch in turn is making us disliked and rightfully so.Canada needs to stay out of any wars unless we are attacked not because of the influence the criminal American government has over the criminals in the Canadian government.I want my country to be the place it once was peacfull.
thedissenter
September 13th, 2011 at 1:27 pm
Gotta love the Empire. Such high hopes. Such illusions. Thinking…ney, planning for 2013 when it doesn't even have till 2012.
MvGuy
September 13th, 2011 at 6:37 pm
Obama seemed the "lesser evil" especially when run against McCain…!! Bomb bomb bomb …..bomb bomb Ah-ran… That John McCain…!!! Who did you vote for…??
MvGuy
September 13th, 2011 at 6:40 pm
Y'a Really think the whole thing gonna collapse so soon…?? Why do you think the demise is so near…???