thedrifter
07-03-09, 08:38 AM
Opinion
COMMENTARY: First steps toward U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq
Friday, July 3, 2009 6:44 AM EDT
As of Tuesday, 4,318 U.S. military personnel had been killed in Iraq since March 2003. The precise number of Iraqi dead is unknown, but it runs into the tens of thousands. Meantime, the United States has spent more than $800 billion in a bid to stabilize Iraq after ousting Saddam Hussein from power.
But the beginning of the end of the American military involvement may be near. As the last U.S. military combat personnel were withdrawing from Baghdad and other Iraqi cities Tuesday to bases in the countryside, President Barack Obama declared that "Iraq's future is now in the hands of its own people."
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki declared "National Sovereignty Day," and Iraqis danced in the streets.
At this point the United States is reluctant to talk about the pace of a complete drawdown, but there are virtually no signs that most of the 130,000 or so remaining American military personnel will be leaving Iraq in the immediate future. By agreement with the al-Maliki government, all U.S. combat troops must be out of Iraq by Aug. 31, 2010. All other American troops must be out by the end of 2011.
Even with the celebration in Iraq, Obama warned of "difficult days" ahead. The fact is, the task in Iraq is far from complete. Even as Iraqi military personnel manned checkpoints throughout Baghdad, a car bomb detonated in a food market 180 miles north of the capital in Kirkuk, killing at least 41 and wounding nearly 120.
Sectarian violence, which nearly tore Iraq apart in 2006 and 2007, will be the Iraqi security forces' biggest challenge. The 650,000-strong Iraqi military has grown increasingly competent, but police and other forces remain suspect. Iraq also will continue to need U.S. help building an air force and navy to defend its borders.
Internally, the biggest threat to Iraq is in the Kurdish regions to the north. The Kurds, given virtual autonomy during the U.S. occupation, continue to make territorial claims outside their region and dispute Iraq's central government over oil revenues.
As one good sign, Iraq announced that foreign oil company executives were in Baghdad on Tuesday to bid on the first major contracts offered by Iraq.
Where Iraq will need further help from the United States is in dealing with its neighbors, particularly Iran and Syria, but also with allies such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Iran and Syria have been prone to meddle in internal Iraqi affairs, but they must be convinced that a peaceful and stable Iraq is important to their countries as well.
Most Marines have left Iraq. The majority of Marines have returned to the United States but some have been redeployed to Afghanistan. Most of the remaining Americans are Army personnel.
All Americans should be proud of the job our servicemen and servicewomen have done under very difficult circumstances to help Iraqis bring their nation to this point. We hope for a continued orderly and safe withdrawal of those Americans still there.
Reprinted from the San Diego-Union Tribune
Ellie
COMMENTARY: First steps toward U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq
Friday, July 3, 2009 6:44 AM EDT
As of Tuesday, 4,318 U.S. military personnel had been killed in Iraq since March 2003. The precise number of Iraqi dead is unknown, but it runs into the tens of thousands. Meantime, the United States has spent more than $800 billion in a bid to stabilize Iraq after ousting Saddam Hussein from power.
But the beginning of the end of the American military involvement may be near. As the last U.S. military combat personnel were withdrawing from Baghdad and other Iraqi cities Tuesday to bases in the countryside, President Barack Obama declared that "Iraq's future is now in the hands of its own people."
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki declared "National Sovereignty Day," and Iraqis danced in the streets.
At this point the United States is reluctant to talk about the pace of a complete drawdown, but there are virtually no signs that most of the 130,000 or so remaining American military personnel will be leaving Iraq in the immediate future. By agreement with the al-Maliki government, all U.S. combat troops must be out of Iraq by Aug. 31, 2010. All other American troops must be out by the end of 2011.
Even with the celebration in Iraq, Obama warned of "difficult days" ahead. The fact is, the task in Iraq is far from complete. Even as Iraqi military personnel manned checkpoints throughout Baghdad, a car bomb detonated in a food market 180 miles north of the capital in Kirkuk, killing at least 41 and wounding nearly 120.
Sectarian violence, which nearly tore Iraq apart in 2006 and 2007, will be the Iraqi security forces' biggest challenge. The 650,000-strong Iraqi military has grown increasingly competent, but police and other forces remain suspect. Iraq also will continue to need U.S. help building an air force and navy to defend its borders.
Internally, the biggest threat to Iraq is in the Kurdish regions to the north. The Kurds, given virtual autonomy during the U.S. occupation, continue to make territorial claims outside their region and dispute Iraq's central government over oil revenues.
As one good sign, Iraq announced that foreign oil company executives were in Baghdad on Tuesday to bid on the first major contracts offered by Iraq.
Where Iraq will need further help from the United States is in dealing with its neighbors, particularly Iran and Syria, but also with allies such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Iran and Syria have been prone to meddle in internal Iraqi affairs, but they must be convinced that a peaceful and stable Iraq is important to their countries as well.
Most Marines have left Iraq. The majority of Marines have returned to the United States but some have been redeployed to Afghanistan. Most of the remaining Americans are Army personnel.
All Americans should be proud of the job our servicemen and servicewomen have done under very difficult circumstances to help Iraqis bring their nation to this point. We hope for a continued orderly and safe withdrawal of those Americans still there.
Reprinted from the San Diego-Union Tribune
Ellie