Iraq: U.S. closed 100 bases, reduced contractors by 34,000 since Jan., pulling 4,000 more troops out

[ProSense]

We have already begun deliberately drawing down our forces — without sacrificing security," he said.

There are about 124,000 American troops in Iraq. By the end of this month 4,000 troops will leave, he said.

At the peak of President Bush's increase in troops in 2007, there were about 160,000 U.S. forces there.

Odierno said the U.S. has closed 100 bases and reduced the number of foreign contractors to 115,000, from 149,000 at beginning of this year.

link

[TheWraith]

1. Wait, didn't you hear? Obama's not stopping the war!!!11

:sarcasm:

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

2. What a failure and a liar. We'll never get out.

[Oregone]

11. The US probably wont get out in the long run

Just take one look at the embassy compound there, which appears rather permanent. Everyone is just putting this on the backburner for now, which is good in the meantime as the deaths go down. But when the "conditions on the ground change", you may see Bush's SOFA agreement tossed.

[ProSense]

3. This needs more exposure. n/t

[Parker CA]

4. K&R

[Cha]

5. Thank you, President Obama, who didn't want this

damn thing to begin with.

[whyverne]

6. And attacks are way down.

You might want to stop poking that beehive with that stick.

[whistler162]

7. But what has he done in the last 10 milliseconds.......

FAILURE!!!!!

<SNARK>

[jeanpalmer]

8. How many contractors/mercenaries are there?

How many new mega bases are they building?

Has Obama made a commitment to be TOTALLY out by 2011? Mercenaries included?

[Dr Fate]

9. Good. The less money we throw at that shit hole, the better. n/t

n/t

[Forkboy]

10. I wish it could be done faster, but this is exactly what I expected.

And I don't mean that as a knock against Obama. Kucinich, bless his heart, couldn't have done it any faster. 18 months was the minimum time expected, 2 1/2 years is about what I've been expecting (though sadly we'll still have too much of a presence there, regardless).

[Hekate]

12. Kick

:kick:

So there.

Hekate