Marines Press to Remove Their Forces From Iraq

[DeepModem Mom]

Source: New York Times

By THOM SHANKER
Published: October 11, 2007

WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 — The Marine Corps is pressing to remove its forces from Iraq and to send marines instead to Afghanistan, to take over the leading role in combat there, according to senior military and Pentagon officials.

The idea by the Marine Corps commandant would effectively leave the Iraq war in the hands of the Army while giving the Marines a prominent new role in Afghanistan, under overall NATO command.

The suggestion was raised in a session last week convened by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates for the Joint Chiefs of Staff and regional war-fighting commanders. While still under review, its supporters, including some in the Army, argue that a realignment could allow the Army and Marines each to operate more efficiently in sustaining troop levels for two wars that have put a strain on their forces.

As described by officials who had been briefed on the closed-door discussion, the idea represents the first tangible new thinking to emerge since the White House last month endorsed a plan to begin gradual troop withdrawals from Iraq, but also signals that American forces likely will be in Iraq for years to come.

At the moment, there are no major Marine units among the 26,000 or so American forces in Afghanistan. In Iraq there are about 25,000 marines among the 160,000 American troops there....

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/11/washington/11military.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

[Turbineguy]

1. And take the conduct of the Iraq war

out of the hands of the most brilliant tactician since Adolph Hitler?

[msongs]

2. the marines favor withdrawal - better check with the decider first! nt

[Bigmack]

3. When I heard that the Corps....

... was going to start withdrawing from Vietnam, I knew the war was over and the Powers That Be finally realized it.

Now... they want out of Iraq.

They want out before the Corps gets painted with this disaster. "Hey... the US was winning until the Corps left.... it's none of us."

I wonder if the Corps will name streets at MCRD San Diego after the great "victories" like Fallujah and Najaf?

[DeepModem Mom]

4. Interesting! "They want out before the Corps gets painted with this disaster." nt

[Beartracks]

5. Sounds to me like they want to go somewhere...

... where they believe their personnel could actually make progress, make a difference. 'cause right now, nothing seems to make a difference (well, a desired difference anyway) in Iraq. The Marines may simply not want to spin their wheels in Iraq anymore.

[DeepModem Mom]

6. That also makes sense. nt

[sabra]

7. kick