Military: Iraq Withdrawal Even Within The Next 23 Months Might Jeopardize Stability
Which means that if Obama sticks to his promise to withdraw troops within 16 months he’ll be jeopardizing the peace we’ve won in that country.
Responding to a request by President Barack Obama, top military and diplomatic advisers on Iraq have submitted a report to the White House that spells out the risks of drawing down U.S. forces in Iraq over periods as long as 23 months, two defense officials told McClatchy.
The multiple options are the first indication that the Obama administration may be willing to abandon a campaign promise of a 16-month withdrawal.
Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, the top military commander in Iraq, and Ryan Crocker, the outgoing U.S. envoy there, with input from Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of the U.S. Central Command, provided “a unified assessment” to the White House in recent days, an official close to Petraeus said.
“On Iraq, we were asked to provide projections, assumptions and risks on accomplishing objectives associated with 16-, 19- and 23-month drawdown options,” according to one senior defense official’s account of the meeting. The commanders and Crocker didn’t recommend an option, but instead spelled out the pros and cons of each timetable.
With violence down at almost non-existence levels in Iraq, what’s the hurry in withdrawal? Why not stay and make sure the peace we’ve won last?
I know that, for the sake of securing his political base, Obama had to mouth anti-war hyperbole. But now that he’s actually the leader, and that his actions have consequences, maybe it’s time to be patient. And cautious. And not worry so much about politics.
