The number of potential excuses for having to back off President Obama’s August “deadline” for having all combat troops out of Iraq continues to grow, with Major General Tony Cucolo, the commander of US troops in Northern Iraq, providing the latest possible reason.
The US has been increasing the number of their own checkpoints in Nineveh and other border provinces in recent months, as they attempt to calm growing tensions between the Kurds and Sunni Arabs, as well as the ever-present danger outright conflict between the Peshmerga (the troops of the Kurdistan Regional Government) and the Iraqi government’s security forces.
Maj. Gen Cucolo refused to put any sort of timetable on the issue, but since the Kurdish government has been at odds with the national government pretty much non-stop since the US invasion it is hard to imagine the situation being resolved any time soon.
Combat troops in Iraq past the deadline!!!!???? I'm shocked, shocked I say.
The military industrial Likudnik tyranny that now fully owns the former United States, will never voluntarily relinquish any of its conquered territories. So the question is: Where are we headed? What kind of downturn in the fortunes of the US are we headed for that will bring about the eventual INVOLUNTARY withdrawal? Catastrophic financial collapse, an ill-advised war that halts the flow of oil to the western world; a biological attack that kills hundreds of millions worldwide; unexpectedly severe losses to the US military, the consequence of lapsed vigilance during half a century of military worship, profiteering, triumphalism, military careerism bloat, overconfidence and poor planning; or perhaps a REAL terrorist attack that targets delicate and essential infrastructure and leaves Americans, jobless and foodless and sitting in the dark without electricity, gas, or gasoline?
We shall see.
Jeff, I would say that "catastrophic financial collapse" will be the crippling blow that brings down the American Imperial Empire and forces its retreat from the entire world. Take a look at this: http://www.usdebtclock.org/
The USA is not leaving Iraq. Look at Japan and Germany. Look at Korea.
Andy, I respectfully disagree. The USA will leave Iraq. It will also leave Japan, Germany and S. Korea. The USA will also abandon its network of 700 plus military bases. The empire is nearing bankruptcy. Take a look at this: http://www.usdebtclock.org/ When the value of the dollar is destroyed, and it will be, the American economy will totally fail. Without the American economy to support it, the empire will crumble into the dust of history. Oh well, as the Beatles once said; "let it be."
Seems Uncle Sam will drag his feet until it's time to cross the Iranian border.