US to withdraw all troops from Iraq by 2011: Obama

[Muhsin]

US to withdraw all troops from Iraq by 2011: Obama

Washington (PTI): President Barack Obama has announced that US will withdraw all forces from Iraq by 2011 with its combat mission coming to an end by August 31, 2010. The much expected announcement was made by Obama at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina yesterday and with this he has fulfilled one of his major promises he made to the people of the United States during his election campaign.

Obama told the cheering crowd, "Let me say this as plainly as I can, by August 31, 2010, our combat mission in Iraq will end.

He said that he has chosen a timeline to remove all the combat brigades over the next 18 months, however, the US mission in Iraq would still continue. "After we remove our combat brigades, our mission will change from combat to supporting the Iraqi government and its Security Forces as they take the absolute lead in securing their country," Obama said.

"We will retain a transitional force to carry out three distinct functions: training, equipping and advising Iraqi Security Forces as long as they remain non-sectarian, conducting targeted counter-terrorism missions and protecting our ongoing civilian and military efforts within Iraq," he said.

He added, initially, this force will likely be made up of 35-50,000 US troops.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200902281560.htm

[Muhsin]

Good thought, Obama.

But why, I repeat why, are you so thoughtlessly preparing taking more troops to Afghanistan, where is named a dangerous ground by many European nations and as thus, the silently decline to take their soldiers there? That would certainly be a grave mistake you are about to commit.

Similarly, some weeks ago, I heard on the radio--BBC in precise, during a 20th anniversary of  Russian-Afghan deadly war, Russian gov't warning the US and its allies  that they are not gonna win in Afghanistan. Especially since they (Russia) lost. Its been "Russia" then with all the Red Armies, mighty war fare, tactics, etc notwithstanding. Hence, they fear and warn that Afghan soil is just gonna a grave yard for US Marines.

In spite of all these warnings (or even altimatum), Obama is yet headstrong going on with his plan. 

Lets us see.

[usman11]

Muhsin, I believe some of you ought to tender an apology to President Obama over the irresponsible remarks at him during the Israeli-Hammas conflict. I believe you, Dan Borno, and others called then President-Elect Obama all kinds of unflattering names due to his well informed silence in the face of the conflict. President Obama did the wise thing by not commenting on such a hot button crisis especially when President Bush was still the sitting President and still in charge of foreign policy direction of this country. You all didn't see the wisdom in his silence, but after he assumed office, he addressed the everlasting conflict from a very fair perspective which also was a shift from previous American handling of the middle east crisis. You did not at the point do the honorable thing by withdrawing the earlier comments you made. You were already prejudiced regarding Obama's Presidency without even giving him the benefit of a doubt solely because he is American President.

Now however, you seem to have changed tone a little bit because he has taken steps that gladen your heart in reference to his planned Iraqi withdrawal. True, Afghanistan is like an empire killer. Nobody succeeds in Afghanistan. Even Alexander the great could not hold onto that terrain after its conquest. The Russians failed, and Bush went in after the Taliban and Al Quaeda. But do you honestly think the sensible thing to do now in Afghanistan is just pack up and go? Even if President Obama may love to go that route, the same international community you mentioned would become his greatest critics.

I think what the President wants to do is to try and help Karzai and his government achieve a level of greater stability and control. Right now, Afghanistan security situation in Afghanistan is declining again, and security needs to be re-established. President Obama inherited this disaster and the responsibility for the outcome now rests on him. Sudden withdrawal from Afghanistan will be a strategic and political disaster. This is where President Obama finds himself in the midst of the economic Tsunami he has to deal with.   

[Muhsin]

LOL Usman11. You never 4get with the past. Remember; past is past, isn't it? 

You, as a matter of fact, talked very fairly. Although I don't much time to say more. But inshaAllah when I get back. But b4 then, what do you think is the solution to this? Should he deploy more or just shamelessly withdraw? Thanks

[Dave_McEwan_Hill]

The major problem with Afghanistan is that Karazi is widely believed to be an American puppet (which he is) and he has no real authority.  America and the West are in Afghanistan under false pretences. Many believe we are there because of the pipe line which is the only way for the west to get the oil out of the Central Asian republics which are otherwise surrounded by Russia and China.
You cannot "enforce" democracy anyway. That is a contradiction. The people of Afghanistan may not be very fond of the Taliban (who are the survivors of a force set up and armed by America against the Russian invasion) but they now mainly consider the US and the UK as invaders and they want them out. Left to their own devices the people of Afghanistan will arrive at their own solutions. Whether these solutions suit America or not is not important.
There has been a huge increase in the production of opium in the areas controlled by the Taliban. The Americans are using this as an excuse to increase their activities there. In fact the increase in opium profduction is a direct result of the US and UK presence. The Taliban has increased opium production to raise money to buy more guns and explosives.
We hope Barak Obama understands all this.

[Muhsin]

Very fair comment, Dave.

I want to you Dave, Usman11 or someone else to answer my question, please; whats the best thing to do? Should Obama withdraw or deploy more troops there? I very well know withdrawing will mean great shame (which is what it's) to American 'power' in the face of the world. And if its deploying more Marines, America might think as well as be (mis)judged as succumbing to Moscow's warning that they won't win. In Hausa, we call such a situation TSAKA MAI WUYA--a situation where there's no way of escaping without been hurted. LOL Bad inherritance from the Bushman by Obama.

[Dave_McEwan_Hill]

Yes, Muhsin. We call it a "no win situation". Obama has inherited many disasters from George Bush but how he can save face on Afghanistan must be giving him a lot of trouble. Actually I believe the Taliban to be essentially an evil group, misusing religion to strengthen their own power. But it is American stupidity in Afghanistan that has given them the power they now have and they are seen as the only force able to challenge the American invader. I'm afraid Obama's Government is going to have to accept the reality that the Taliban controls most of Afghanistan and that America will not be able to beat them so they will have to talk.