.Editorial: Troubling signs in Iraq
The Iraq war has dropped way down the charts as a major issue driving U.S. voters, but the fact is, serious trouble is brewing there in ways that neither John McCain, Barack Obama nor President Bush had predicted.
Because Iraq's government wants to renegotiate the terms of America's presence, U.S. military operations face the prospect of a sudden lockdown when the United Nations troop-deployment mandate expires Dec. 31. In a worst-case scenario, U.S. troops could be forced into an ill-planned, hasty withdrawal.
U.S. commanders also fear that a new round of potentially fierce ethnic fighting is brewing. These factors underscore the need for Mr. Bush and his successor – Democrat or Republican – to speak with one voice about the importance of keeping Iraq stable and united, with U.S. troops staying on the job. Not even Mr. Obama, who supports a 16-month withdrawal timetable, has advocated anything less.
In October, both nations were close to a deal on the status-of-forces accord that gives legal cover for U.S. troops in Iraq. But Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's government recently decided to reopen negotiations.
Both countries are heading toward an arrangement similar to the Plan B this newspaper advocated 14 months ago as a longer-term solution: rebasing U.S. troops away from Iraqi urban centers, reducing their numbers, focusing their mission on halting outside insurgents and training Iraqis to take over their own security. It's a plan we think either U.S. presidential candidate could embrace.
Without a basing agreement, Iraq could face disastrous consequences. Already, Kurdish troops and commanders are openly defying orders from Baghdad as they vie against Iraqi Arab troops for control of the northern city of Mosul. Iraq's army faces a dangerous ethnic split.
"It's the perfect storm against the old festering background," U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Raymond Thomas told The New York Times.
This is hardly the orderly transition U.S. leaders had sought. Iraqis owe it to themselves, and the U.S. troops who sacrificed for them, to make stability the top priority and stop dickering over the basing accord.
Dallas News
Until Obama asked the Iraqis to delay signing the agreement, leaving the troops in the lurch, and possibly liable for war crimes. Thanks Obama.
When McCain wins next Tuesday I am sure the Iraqis will see things through different eyes.
Because Iraq's government wants to renegotiate the terms of America's presence, U.S. military operations face the prospect of a sudden lockdown when the United Nations troop-deployment mandate expires Dec. 31. In a worst-case scenario, U.S. troops could be forced into an ill-planned, hasty withdrawal.
U.S. commanders also fear that a new round of potentially fierce ethnic fighting is brewing. These factors underscore the need for Mr. Bush and his successor – Democrat or Republican – to speak with one voice about the importance of keeping Iraq stable and united, with U.S. troops staying on the job. Not even Mr. Obama, who supports a 16-month withdrawal timetable, has advocated anything less.
In October, both nations were close to a deal on the status-of-forces accord that gives legal cover for U.S. troops in Iraq. But Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's government recently decided to reopen negotiations.
Both countries are heading toward an arrangement similar to the Plan B this newspaper advocated 14 months ago as a longer-term solution: rebasing U.S. troops away from Iraqi urban centers, reducing their numbers, focusing their mission on halting outside insurgents and training Iraqis to take over their own security. It's a plan we think either U.S. presidential candidate could embrace.
Without a basing agreement, Iraq could face disastrous consequences. Already, Kurdish troops and commanders are openly defying orders from Baghdad as they vie against Iraqi Arab troops for control of the northern city of Mosul. Iraq's army faces a dangerous ethnic split.
"It's the perfect storm against the old festering background," U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Raymond Thomas told The New York Times.
This is hardly the orderly transition U.S. leaders had sought. Iraqis owe it to themselves, and the U.S. troops who sacrificed for them, to make stability the top priority and stop dickering over the basing accord.
Dallas News
Until Obama asked the Iraqis to delay signing the agreement, leaving the troops in the lurch, and possibly liable for war crimes. Thanks Obama.
When McCain wins next Tuesday I am sure the Iraqis will see things through different eyes.
posted by madtom at 7:31 PM
4 Comments:
If McCain wins on Tuesday we may need the troops back here to quell the riots. I have no doubt that the NYT and the like already have their stories on vote machine conspiracies on standby.
you know in all honesty, it all depends on the results. I am predicting a landslide, one way or the other. If that does not turn out and we have a contested election, there could be trouble. But it wont be the fault of any candidate, it will be the fault of the state election officials that had eight years to fix the problems, yet sat on their asses
If it is legitimately close, it wouldn't matter if Colin Powell hand counted every fucking ballot-- twice-- the radical far left and the perpetually self declared but, in fact, self inflicted 'victimized' are going to go ape shit. Micheal Moore will fan the flames while roasting hot dogs to feed his fat face and Olberman will whack off in the shadows. It will be the fault of Obama who promised change they 'can believe in' when everything about him says he is a far left egghead who gives good speech and is willing to flash his race ticket to ride the corrupt political train anywhere it will take him out of Chicago. What a choice this year---- I didn't think we could do worse than the last 3 or 4 elections, but I stand corrected.
All things considered, I did have to put up with eight long years of Bush, should Obama win, a hell I wish on no one, you'll just have to suck it up like I did...
And the riots, they'll do us good. You know clean out the cobwebs of democracy.
Fear not.
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