Friday, April 22, 2011
Can't let go of those dreams of empire
And so they still plot and plan to keep some US troops in Iraq. 10,000 is the number this time.
US and Iraqi officials are looking into keeping 10,000 US troops in the country beyond a year's end deadline for a complete withdrawal, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday.10,000 is too few to do any good in that country, but it is enough to be a big, fat target for those Iraqis who want their country back. Only a fool would keep us there. Let Obama know how you feel, the e-mail is free.
The talks are politically sensitive for both countries, with Americans keen to end their involvement in Iraq and Iraqis concerned that prolonging the troop presence could fuel sectarian tensions and protests, it said.
The paper, citing unnamed officials, said US military commanders believe that leaving at least 10,000 troops beyond 2011 could promote greater security and prevent Iran from expanding its regional influence.
However, such a plan would require presidential approval, and US President Barack Obama -- a critic of the 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein -- has not yet said whether he would sign off on it.
"We have conversations with the Iraqis constantly about security issues," it quoted an Obama administration official as saying.
But the official added: "The Iraqis haven't made a request for us to keep troops, and we haven't offered."
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