US troops to return only if Iraqi forces fail

[cal04]

Source: Associated Press

It would take "a complete failure" of the Iraqi security forces for the U.S. to resume combat operations there, the top American commander in Iraq said as the final U.S. fighting forces prepared to leave the country.

With a major military milestone in sight, Gen. Ray Odierno said in interviews broadcast Sunday that any resumption of combat duties by American forces is unlikely.

"We don't see that happening," Odierno said. The Iraqi security forces have been doing "so well for so long now that we really believe we're beyond that point."

President Barack Obama plans a major speech on Iraq after his return to Washington, according to a senior administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity Sunday because details were being finalized. The speech will come shortly after Obama returns to the White House on Aug. 29 from his Martha's Vineyard vacation.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100822/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_us_iraq

[Lasher]

1. Is that like conditions on the ground?

What about conditions at home, like being bankrupt?

[rug]

2. It's not the military's call.

[Dr.Phool]

3. Don't get too comfortable at home guys.

[Bigmack]

4. Not "if".... "When they fail.." nt

[yurbud]

9. Definition of failure of Iraqi forces: fail to be obedient to US oil companies

[yurbud]

12. ''failure'' of Iraqi forces is racist and ahistorical

Previous Iraqi forces managed to fight Iran, a bigger country to a draw, and invade Kuwait.

Current Iraqi INSURGENTS have inflicted casualties on the forces of the world's only superpower.

They are entirely capable of defending and policing themselves.

The real question is can we train Iraqis to oppress their own people to benefit our oil companies? They would have had a better chance of that if they left Saddam's army intact, so they could do the same job for a different boss.

[saigon68]

14. train Iraqis to oppress their own people to benefit our oil companies

A LOSING PROPOSITION

[PacerLJ35]

16. I did not train them to "oppress their own people"...

We worked to train them how to defend their people from the various groups out there still trying to influence the power balance in the country.

[Javaman]

19. Read up sometime on the Iran Iraq war, it's not as clear cut as you make it seem. nt

[truth2power]

13. What I was going to say, but you posted it first. "Failure" is not being

a puppet for the US corporatocracy.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

5. Prediction: A complete failure occurs on January 1, 2012.

The end of the SOFA.

[Phlem]

6. But but but but but but I thought

the war was over. According to some folks here. Yeah I know combat troops are supposed to be leaving but give me a fucking break, that was just a new face for the same fucking war. If you 100% believe in what the government says then I've got a deal for you. Just send me all your money and I'll double it in 2 weeks!!!!!

-p

[dixiegrrrrl]

7. for those too young to remember...

there were endless promises during the Viet Nam war that we would leave just as soon as the South Viet Nam forces were ready to take over.
for years the US lied about the extent of the involvement of our "advisers" over there.


apparently the 28,000 troops in So. Korea for the last 50 years are waiting for same goal?

[yurbud]

8. If it's relatively calm there, it's safe to leave 50K troops, but if it's violent we need more

the subtext: we're staying forever to enforce oil contracts.

[daleo]

10. Define "complete failure"

I am sure the phrase means whatever the general wants it to mean.

[Betty]

11. well this is reassuring

what could possibly go wrong?

[saigon68]

15. LOL

[Solly Mack]

17. ...

....

[Javaman]

18. My first prediction...

There are now 75,000 private security personal in Iraq under the aegis of the corporations.

I predict at some point, probably within a year or two, there will be a battle between those private security personal and the Iraqi forces.

This whole mess is so far from over.