On Thursday, President Trump and Iraqi PM Kadhimi talked up something no one expected, a US drawdown and potential pullout from Iraq. Trump is said to want troops out of Iraq, or at least to the lowest level since 2003, as soon as possible.
The summary on this is that Trump wants troop levels cut by the election, and Iraq wants US combat troops out as soon as possible. The details are not at all clear, with both countries seemingly content to emphasize talking points over procedure.
Troop levels are known to be a top priority in Iraq, with parliament calling on the US troops to leave earlier this year. Trump ruled that out but now seems to be more open to the idea of drawdowns now.
Trump has made much of having a very low level left in Afghanistan before the November election, and seems similarly inclined toward Iraq now, even if numbers are a lot less clear. The lack of details will allow either side to change goals at a moment’s notice without anyone being clear that’s what happened.
Wasn’t long ago Trump was threatening Iraq with sanctions that would look “tame” compared to the sanctions on Iran if Iraq demanded that we leave. Must be election time.
He doesn’t like being embarrassed. Hopefully he’ll pull out anyway.
Kind of a unique “October Surprise” I guess. Welcome if it happens no matter the reason. And if this is how Trump wants to impact votes ahead of the election (as opposed to the traditional bombing of some helpless nation) then that says something too …
I agree. I said earlier he has my vote if he pardons Snowden regardless of his reasoning. But for some reason I haven’t heard anything more on Snowden but he did pardon Susan B Anthony. Maybe he counted noses and figured Susan B would attract a bigger target audience. Plus no pesky naysayers. Well, except the people at the Susan B museum.
Sorry, you got disappointed from Trump not pardoning Snowden…! You should know better about this clown by now…! BTW- Susan Anthony did not want or need to be pardoned…!
My comment was laced with sarcasm. I never expected a pardon and I’ve known he was a clown from day one.
Kind of a unique “October Surprise” I guess. Welcome if it happens no matter the reason. And if this is how Trump wants to impact votes ahead of the election (as opposed to the traditional bombing of some helpless nation) then that says something too …
Trump is already failed miserably on Covid-19 and main street economy…Bringing troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan will not help him get more votes…! It’s too little too late…!