Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan has made a visit to Iraq to
try to placate an Iraqi government which is increasingly disquieted by
US talk of staying in Iraq. President Trump recently said the US “might
as well” stay and use it to watch Iran.
Iraqi PM Adel Abdul-Mahdi was quick to warn Shanahan during the visit that Iraq has no intention of allowing any permanent foreign bases in Iraq. US plans to stay, it seems, aren’t a real option.
Shanahan insists that the US has a “limited role” the intend to stick to in Iraq, and that the US will remain in the country by invitation. How long will that invitation last?
That’s not clear at all, as several Iraqi political blocks are pushing
Abdul-Mahdi for a formal timeline for the end of the US presence. With
ISIS effectively defeated, Iraqi MPs see little reason for a large US
military presence to remain.
the US will use every trick in their book not to leave…from bribe, threats, sanctions, plots, terror, assassinations…….just to name a few.
You both are right, the US will use every trick in their book not to leave, but Iraqi PM Adel Abdul Mahdi told Acting Pentagon Chief Patrick Shanahan outright that NO foreign bases will be tolerated in his country. He means it, too.
Yes he does, their Parliament has to terminate the agreement or put into law a time table for US pullout.
Iraq has also made it very clear, that Iraq does not and will not support US sanction on Iran.
The staunch non-interventionist says “might as well” to staying in a country that he himself said we should never had invaded.
That’s cute. PM Mahdi and his people think they have a choice on this matter.