U.S. Army paratroopers and Iraqi commandos and scouts prepare to conduct joint air assault training on Camp Ramadi, Iraq, Nov. 15, 2009. The goal of the training was to learn each side's standard procedures for future joint missions. The U.S. soldiers are assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, which is serving as an Advise and Assist Brigade. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Michael J. MacLeodWe Are Withdrawing Again From Iraq, Forever -- Fabius Maximus
Summary: a survey of the Stratfor database from 2003 to now shows 21 articles about promises or hints of reducing US forces in Iraq. This post was updated to November 2009.
Like a trout jumping for the lure, we get excited at each glimpse of the light at the end of the long tunnel that is the Iraq War. Every so often our leaders discuss the possibility of a drawdown or even withdrawal of our troops from Iraq — contingent on future good news. Since their optimism is delusional, instead our forces have to remain. In fact, we have had to increase US forces as our Coalition allies have gone home.
This is by no means a complete survey of all the “withdrawal soon from Iraq” rumors that have helped maintain US support for the war. The following results from a quick search of the Stratfor database. A more complete survey would be even more heart-breaking.
Read more ....
My Comment: Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats crafted their Congressional campaign in 2006 around their commitment that U.S. forces will leave Iraq. In 2008, Presidential candidate Obama did and said the same thing.
Now .... at the end of 2009 .... huge numbers of U.S. forces are still in Iraq.
Goodbye to the old boss .... hello to the new boss .... and nothing changes.
Kudos to Fabius Maximus (and Stratfor) for this well researched posting.