Iraq: The Phony 'Withdrawal' - It's all about permanent bases

[Laura PourMeADrink]

http://www.antiwar.com/justin/


Iraq: The Phony 'Withdrawal'
It's all about permanent bases –
and the next war
by Justin Raimondo

<snip>
What could be clearer? The neo-Jacobin spirit that animates those who relentlessly agitated for this war, far from being humbled by apparent failure, is instead emboldened. Having lied us into war, they are eager to do so again – and this ambition is not necessarily inconsistent with a general drawdown in Iraq. Aside from that, however, the War Party has succeeded in winning a Middle East beachhead. The troop numbers may be reduced, but those remaining will retreat to permanent bases that are already being built.

<snip>
"The United States does not want – and it has no interest in – policing Iraq, day in and day out. The U.S. goal is to be able to pressure Iraq's neighbors, not to babysit the Iraqis."

<snip>
GlobalSecurity.org, a useful resource for researchers in this field, has identified 106 American bases in Iraq as of mid-May: the plan is to consolidate U.S. forces in anywhere from 14 to 4 "enduring" bases, as part of a strategy involving a less visibly intrusive American presence. Remaining troops would reside in hardened facilities, meant to last many years. Congress appropriated the money for this in the May 2005 supplemental requested by the White House, with little debate as to the implications. Also included in this package: the construction of the world's largest embassy, occupying 104 acres, housing 1,020 staff and 500 guards, and commanding a budget of some $20 billion.
<snip>

[getmeouttahere]

1. Do they think...

the rest of the world won't notice the bases? Oh, they'll be "enduring" for sure...an enduring irritation to the whole Middle East. Welcome to the new Cold War, but with much more death and destruction.

[wli]

2. Cold war?

We're in serious danger of having open war declared on us by a rather broad coalition if we don't oust the war criminals and stop playing conquistador. China and Russia aren't cozying up to Europe and yelling loudly about this stuff (and the Caspian Sea shenanigans) for no reason. When the new Abu Ghraib pictures come out they're going to start talking a lot tougher.

[Oversea Visitor]

3. A beachhead

More like a freaking disaster.
You dont control the country, you may hide in the forts, minute you show you head you be shoted.
Nope you get booted out of Iraq and Afghan for sure.