Are we still on track to have all troops out of Iraq in August 2010?

[KansasVoter]

Wasn't that the original promise and goal?

Has anyone heard an update?

Seems pretty close, only 5 months away.

[Lerkfish]

1. I'm gonna go with: it aint gonna happen.

just logistically, I don't see a way to get that many troops, equipment and material moved in 5 months.

[Clio the Leo]

2. "Obama calls Iraq vote an 'important milestone'"

Obama calls Iraq vote an 'important milestone'
By STEVEN R. HURST (AP) – Mar 7, 2010

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama praised the Iraqi people for passing "an important milestone" Sunday, when millions turned out for national elections despite insurgent attacks that killed more than 30 people.

No doubt relieved that violence was not worse, Obama said Iraqi security forces showed maturing capabilities as they protected the nation through a day that was ripe for attacks by Sunni Muslim insurgents and al-Qaida in Iraq.

"Today's voting makes it clear that the future of Iraq belongs to the people of Iraq," the president said.

The vote was Iraq's second national election since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. The big turnout and limited violence were seen as key to the planned withdrawal of American combat forces by Aug. 31.

Obama again vowed to meet that deadline and to carry through with the subsequent removal of all the remaining 50,000 U.S. troops by the end of next year. There are now fewer than 100,000 American forces in the country, the smallest number since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g3mKv4J_g2Sj6cIkrhlUjFhYlG5QD9EA1S8G0

[NJmaverick]

3. If my memory serves me, he vowed to have COMBAT troops out by Aug

and the rest by the end of the year. To that ends they are on track

[asphalt.jungle]

4. rest by the end of NEXT year

not this year. basically we shouldn't have any troops there come january 1 2012

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

6. I believe you're correct...

I recalled seeing a number something on the order of 30,000 and 50,000 in the country for an extended period, but not as combat troops.

[frylock]

5. are we still on track to shut down gitmo?

[4lbs]

7. Well, there were 140,000 troops this time last year. Now there are 100,000 troops.

That's a 40,000 troop decrease.

http://www.army.mil/-news/2010/03/11/35636-us-troops-in-iraq-adopt-new-role/

Another 50,000 will begin to leave in the next 5 months.

There is also set to be a 30,000 troop surge in Afghanistan happening by June, to join the 15,000 that already went there at the end of last year.

http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/77619-cbo-troop-surge-to-cost-36-billion-over-three-years


They'll be there for a little over a year, and then all those will leave by the end of 2011.

We just haven't heard much about it since the big focus for the past year has been on healthcare, the economy, and the townhalls and teabaggers.