A top, albeit anonymous, US military official insisted that it was vital for the Obama Administration to keep some troops in Iraq past the December deadline. The current Status of Forces Agreement requires all troops to be out by year’s end.
The official insisted that continuing the over eight year long presence was the “best for Iraq,” and that Iraq’s military is unable to “ward off threats” from its neighbors. A number of other officials, including Defense Secretary Robert Gates, have openly advocated keeping troops in Iraq for years.
The threats Iraq has to worry about are ill-defined, but officials made reference to “regional instability.” Iraq is on good terms with its largest neighbors, Iran and Turkey, and seemingly its biggest threat is domestic protests.
Those threats might actually be far greater if the US remains, as Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr is warning his followers will go into open revolt if the US attempts to stay past December. As Sadr’s supporters have a significant portion of parliament as well, the administration faces an uphill battle in convincing the Iraqi government of its need to remain.
Because America "knows" whats "best" for Iraq.
The warmongers at the pentagon are eager to retain thier imperial outposts in Iraq. Present behavior of the pentagon proves that one of the reasons for the war in Iraq was for permanent military bases. This should not surprise anyone.
"The official insisted that continuing the over eight year long presence was the “best for Iraq,” and that Iraq’s military is unable to “ward off threats” from its neighbors".
If this official is talking about Iran then he or she should know that Iranians are already in Iraq and making decisions for the Iraqi government, they are part of the Iraqi government, they are the Iraqi government. This comment by this official tells me that these people are either stupid or playing a stupid politics to justify the US military presence in Iraq.., didn’t they think about the present situation when they invaded Iraq.., didn’t they think when they were accusing Saddam regime killing thousands of Shiites Muslims in Iraq giving themselves another justification for invading Iraq.., what a hell these people are capable off and what are they thinking before they make a decision.
GET THE HELL OUT OF OUR COUNTRY.
WAR CRIMINALS.
Lies the US government acts like they are worried about the people including kids and women that they have killed in the thousands if not hundresds of thousands.Lies and fauls flag attack to get the war also the same with Afganistan.The US is the most corrupt government in the world and thats saying something.Charges of crimes against humanity genoside should have many people in the government in jail including Obama and friends.
Whats best for the US?
It looks to me like the US's negotiating of that Status of Forces Agreement was done in bad faith, as evidenced by the US's constant pressure to continue its presence.
Why would the US have negotiated its own departure, only to insist within months that it should stay?
I say, because it never intended to leave.
The 'plan' of the Zionist-Neocons-Israel was to totally destroy Iraq – that plan has been accomplished.
But, of course. There were never any doubts. We all knew that the Iraqis had no saying in this, particularly now that wanna be president Trump has a plan to take all the oil from Iraq.
All hope is in the power of Sadr.