The End of the Iraq War Is in Sight

So at this point there is no doubt: the Bush Administration supports a timetable for withdrawal.

Specifically, it supports withdrawing American troops out of Iraqi cities by summer 2009 and out of the rest of the country by the end of 2011. Those are the terms of a draft accord the Bush Administration is putting in front of Iraq's leaders for ratification. The quickness with which American combat operations are supposed to cease is reportedly the price the Administration had to pay for the Iraqi government's legalization of the American military presence in Iraq after this year, when the United Nations mandate currently authorizing the American presence expires. It is unclear whether the accord addresses the issue of permanent bases in Iraq, which are supported by John McCain and opposed by Barack Obama and wide swaths of the Iraqi public.

Of course, the Administration said that these dates are "aspirational goals" and that the actual pace of withdrawal will depend on the security situation in Iraq. But the fact is that the Bush Administration has put a plan for withdrawal on the table.

One has to ask — how does this change when the next president takes office? Barack Obama has said that he would have all combat troops home from Iraq in 16 months, meaning spring or summer of 2010. Would he rewrite the accord, if it is in fact ratified shortly, to speed up the pace of withdrawal?

McCain has remained vague, saying at one point that Obama's 16-month timetable was "pretty good," then frantically denying he said any such thing, adding, "Anything is a good timetable that is dictated by conditions on the ground." As everyone knows, he sees a long-term, Korea-like American presence in Iraq. Would McCain rewrite the accord if he feels American troops need to be kept in Iraq longer? It would appear almost completely impossible to get Iraqi leaders, who favor a plan along the lines of Barack Obama's, to agree to such a move.

And furthermore, how does this change the presidential election? Can McCain continue calling Obama a surrendercrat (not in that language, of course) for supporting a plan that is not too far off from what the Bush Administration is currently pushing and that the Iraqi government may soon approve?

Comments

Good news,
the soldiers families are waiting with anxieties, the quick arrival of their children. We hope Iraq can assume the control of his internal situation, so this retirement suddenly come.

Gwen
Delaware Drug Addiction

Posted by: Gwen on 08/22/08 at 10:21 AM Respond

Really its a Great News. US Military's achieved a milestone. After Sadam Hussain death peacefully life happens for Iraq people. All this great goes to US military and George Bush Government.All the soldiers are very happy to return his country with the successful victory.
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john Brendon

Minnesota Drug Addiction

Posted by: John on 08/23/08 at 4:39 AM Respond

OBAMA EXPOSES MC-CAIN TREASON

Neo-Con McCain’s foreign policy adviser, Neo-Marxist Scheunemann, is notorious throughout the World for his insidious role in successfully provoking the un-Constitutional Neo-Con Bush War against Iraq, and now unsuccessfully provoking wars against Iran and Russia. The ruinous Iraq War sacrificed over a trillion dollars, and the priceless lives of more than 4,000 young patriotic volunteers, for the sole benefit of the universally condemned Judeofascist land robbers. The trustful Reagan Conservatives and Kennedy Liberals, angered over having been cunningly fooled once, are not fooled twice.

When Obama recently discovered that Scheunemann had been paid nearly $300 to provoke war against Russia in support of Georgia’s internecine attack, he immediately exposed the transparent conflict of interest that motivated McCain’s insane bellicose treason against the American People, "John McCain’s top foreign policy adviser lobbied for, and has a vested interest in, the Republic of Georgia and McCain has mirrored the position advocated by the government.”

Posted by: Jeugenen on 08/24/08 at 9:16 AM Respond