U.S. and Iraqi army soldiers conduct a joint mission in Buhriz, Iraq, Dec. 10, 2006. U.S. Army Soldiers with the Military Transition Team, 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th Division and Iraqi army soldiers from 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division, are conducting a cordon search in the region for weapon caches in addition to building familiarization with the local population. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Elisha DawkinsFrom The Washington Post:
BAGHDAD -- Reeling from a sharp drop in oil prices, Iraq's security forces are trimming bloated payrolls and will be unable to purchase ships and aircraft that Iraqi officials had hoped would allow the country to develop a basic ability to fend off external threats by 2012, the United States' projected withdrawal date, according to U.S. military officials.
The budget crunch is also preventing the Iraqi government from keeping billions of dollars worth of U.S.-donated equipment in working condition, representing a potentially colossal loss for a key American investment, U.S. officials say.
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My Comment: It may be a bind .... but they will still find the money .... they will have to find the money. Their national Army and security agencies are their most important departments, with the Oil Ministry being a close second.