The raw reality of the"troop reduction" in IRAQ (If it happens)

[FlaxieB]

The speech last night along with Gen. Peterus report on Capitol Hill, has set the stage for the U.S. military to remain in Iraq until the end of time. Iraq will be the mirror image of South Korea with Iran on the opposite side and the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two countries. Iraq, just like Germany and South Korea, will become a tour of duty for all branches of the military (possibly 12-18 months) working along side the Iraq military to defend against Iran and it's allies.

As for the troop reduction, I'll believe it when it happens. A Army Brigade is a significantly large unit, consisting of between 1500 and 3200 soldiers that can be employed on independent or semi-independent operations. With the reduction numbers totaling around 30,000 soldiers to be sent home by the end of 2008, is a long shot and is really based on insurgent activity and the Iraq government progress, not our stated progress according to the General. He knows that. According to Peterus, U.S. Forces along with Iraq military have gained control of some insurgent strong holds but he knows this is a temporary fix. Have the insurgents yielded? No. The insurgents will continue to recruit,reconstitute, gain new territory and continue their missions elsewhere, causing our military to continually make adjustments. No different that Vietnam. Keep in mind, the Middle East is Muslim territory fueled by religion and their way of life. They ARE NOT going to retreat or surrender. Iraq is not yet safe nor will it be for decades.

This is Prez Bush playing chess until his term is up and poor Gen. Peterus will be left holding the bag. His legacy will be hero or goat. The plan: appease the american public, bring troops home (30,000+ surge troops). That will also include combat service support troops so your number of front line combat troops will be reduced. That leaves the remaining 100,000 troops. But what about troop rotations? Those 30,000 troops sent home will make up the rotation force for soldiers already in Iraq. They will be home getting well rested and regrouping. Remember, STOP/LOSS (military policy that states that until combat operations are over,you cannot retire or leave the service) will still be in effect. What Bush did not say is that we will temporarily bring troops home until it time to rotate troops. These troops will be the relief pitchers.

Also, as we watch the so called troop reductions, Bush/Chaney will be planning the creation of military bases to be built in Iraq in conjunction with the Iraq government development. This action will establish permanent military bases. The next request for funding will apply to this creation of a military establishment. All this does is put tremendous pressure on the next democratic Prez who will have to make a tough decision. All democratic candidates are saying end this war but before Bush/Chaney leaves office, they will set the stage and create military installations along with our commitment to rebuild/restore Iraq. Will america ever leave Iraq, I don't think so and the next Prez will walk into the White House with an even more fucked up situation that it is now. This is political business. This is a set up and a way out for Bush. Years from now Bush/Chaney will not take the blame for a unsuccessful Iraq. His justification will be "I started this so the
Iraqis can have a democracy, it's not my fault that it did not work". He's passing this blunder on.

As the saying goes: "Until you sit behind the desk, you have no idea what going on".

[OHdem10]

1. You are so correct.

I think the WH is operating on the idea--as long as we
are there, we are not losing. Anything to prevent the
GOP's Vietnam.(sarcasm)

What do you think about this as an added thought? We
hear Iran, Iran, Iran Big Bad Iran.
As long as we are there, Iran cannot get a foothold.
It almsot seems we are in a Proxy War with Iran.

You nailed this "enduring relationship of strtegic nature"
with Iraq sets the table for the next President to carry
our the Bush Doctrine.

To be sure, HRC, Obama Edwards, Biden Dodd , Richardson et al
are paying close attention to what is being done.

Of course, GWB is setting it up for Guilliani Thompson or Romney.

[FlaxieB]

3. True, a Republican Prez will continue this effort.

[Ethelk2044]

2. It is Bush plan. We need to get him out of there as soon as possible

[FlaxieB]

4. True. Bush/Chaney is providing the perfect set-up for the Mitt/Rudy/Fred.

because by some miracle a republican wins, nothing changes, it only moves forward.