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Subscribe to RSSA White House official tells NBC News that President Obama this afternoon will make a statement about the U.S. security relationship with Iraq. Obama's remarks will follow a video conference with Iraq PM Maliki.
ABC is reporting that Obama will announce the complete drawdown of all U.S. troops there by the end of the year.
But NBC has yet to confirm that news.
*** UPDATE *** NBC can confirm that Obama will announce the complete of the Iraq drawdown by the end of 2011.
*** UPDATE II *** NBC's Jim Miklaszewski and Courtney Kube further report:
A senior U.S. military official says that the president will announce that ALL U.S. troops leave Iraq by the end of 2011. Some will remain there to secure the Embassy, etc. but that will be a small group (about 100 or so).
The U.S. and Iraq cannot reach an agreement on immunity for U.S. troops serving after Dec 31.
There are about 39,000 U.S. troops in Iraq now.
At the height of the U.S. surge in October 2007, there were more than 166,000 U.S. troops there.
*** UPDATE III *** Per a White House official: "Today, the president will announce that we will fulfill our commitment and complete the drawdown of US troops from Iraq by the end of the year. This will allow us to say definitively that the Iraq war is over, and that the partnership between the US and Iraq will be a normal one between two sovereign nations. During their conversation, President Obama and PM Maliki strongly agreed that this is the best way forward for both countries."
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A good reason to celebrate at the DDI tonight. Our troops are coming home from Iraq! Give a toast to our fine military and to President Obama for keeping his word to end that war by the end of the year.
Great news.
Now do the same thing in Afghanistan, Yemen, Uganda, Libya..........
I am very glad to hear this.
And I share WCA's hopes for the others as well.
Afghanistan maybe, but we never set foot in Libya.
We let them take care of it themselves with NATO support.
A better model than the Bush/Cheney debacles in Iraq to begin with and Afghanistan for not doing more in the first place (the place where 911 actually originated from).
You know, I disagree with most on this board over a lot of things. But if you look at the conservatives who post here I think you will find that most agree that it is time to bring them ALL home.
So when we argue over economics, etc. , remember that we do agree on this very important issue.
Doesn't matter who or when they started, time to get out is now.
WCA, agree except we have no troops in Libya or Yemen. Those predator drones are unmanned. I agree with you otherwise. I felt that Bush failed the Afghanistani people by heading to Iraq and that it was necessary to give the people who hate the repressive Taliban a chance so while I want our troops home, a responsible, systematic drawn down is necessary just as it was in Iraq. If we break it, we have a responsibility to at least try to fix it.
YES!!! the 39,000 troops will be spending the Holdiays with their families.
Wonderful news.
Agreed, bring them all home and get them jobs too. They certainly deserve them.
Jody, do you really think we have no troops/american in those places?
Bring them all home, including all the ones "defending" Japan and Europe.
So I saw that Schumer is proposing to give work visa to any illegals buying a house. Wow, so the cost of a visa in now set at the price of a house? What about a condo?
What about a Fisker Karma? They cost a lot more than a lot of condos and houses.
I'm just surprised that the DOE is so interested in building cars that can only be bought by the 1%.
Seems a tad out of whack.
***stands and applauds***
Yep. Just heard it.
Fantastic news, just great that Iraq is coming to a close.
I see the Do-Nothing-At-All-except-crash-the-economy-GOP supporters change the subject to X,Y and Z, and whatever else is on their To-Do list.
If you can't compliment the President's great work and great leadership, how's about being happy for the troops and their families across the country?
How about putting the American Jobs Act on your list, and complaining to your leadership that every single GOP Senator blocked 1.9 million jobs for your fellow-Americans?
GOP blocked 1.9 million jobs for Americans twice now.
He's pulling us out.
Alright, y' malcontents- let's hear your spin on why this sucks the big one.
C'mon, I know you can (and will) do it.
"What about a Fisker Karma?..."
Say- isn't that a line from Freida Payne's "Bring the Boys Home"? Oh, wait.......
Total withdrawal? WoW.
What a great present to all of us on Feisty's birthday.
Excellent. Totally excellent. Finally. And not a moment too soon.
Thank you Mr. President. And many many thanks to those that served our Country when we needed them.
This is fantastic news. Don't mean to rain on parades, but does anyone know about our armed civilian presence there - mercenaries, private contractors, etc.?
"White Collar Auto
"Now do the same thing in Afghanistan, Yemen, Uganda, Libya.........."
Let's draw down the troops in Yemen, Lybia ? WTF are you on? Your probably confusing CIA ops for actual US military. But your probably just confused Period!
Bingo, David.
http://articles.cnn.com/2011-10-04/us/us_us-contractors-war-zones_1_contractors-iraq-and-afghanistan-dov-zakheim?_s=PM:US
It seems that this may have been the plan all along.
http://www.npr.org/2011/05/17/136357821/as-u-s-military-exits-iraq-contractors-to-enter
Thanks for the reminder. Somehow I doubt this will come up in the President's speech.
That is indeed awesome news!
Another promise kept by our President!
What Feisty said! :o)
Hallelujah!
Reason I voted for him - All troops out of Iraq by 2011.
Yes we can becomes - Yes he did.
Oh my GOD! This is good news!
Yaaaay! Bring all our troops home.
Wonder how the GOP will object to this? Should stay, or should have left sooner? Any one placing bets?
Don't worry,they'll come up with some lame ass excuse,all the while ignoring the fact that going there was a disaster to begin with.
They'll find fault for sure. My money says they will claim we should leave troops there--just in case and because of Iran.
"Wonder how the GOP will object to this?"
With this: "they'll follow us home. For all the great jobs, of course- not to hurt us because of our 'freedoms'.
Thank God. You'll boys and girls be careful so there is no further loss of American lives on G.W.'s speculative adventure. It's already cost us enough. Good luck and God speed troopies. Well Done.
People in America are slow to realize just what All these Foreign Policy Wins are gonna do for the American Economy.
Haliburton for starters has Raped the Treasury with their NoBid Contracts(just read yesterday about a 6pack of Coke inside the Green Zone sells for about $45)!
Terrorism charges on Barrels of Oil will be reduced, bringing lower prices for gas(making more $$ available to everyday People)
President Obama has done a lot for America's LongTerm Economic Security, it's just that most really don't see it That way.
Hopefully America will welcome Our Troops Home with the Dignity They Deserve!
You Betcha!
Bring them all home, what a great thing that would be, for the soldiers and their loved ones.
Only problem is they will have to join the protests when they realize chances are they are out of a job when they get discharged, and senate republicans unanimously could give a rats patootie about them as civilians.
It does make it very complicated Forrest.
Draw downs and reductions in defense spendings are great, but so much of the spending is directly and indirectly tied to salaries.
So, how about a practical solution?
Currently, Civil Service "discriminates" in favor of veterans- gives them extra points.
Why not allow private sector employers to do the same?
So, if there are two candidates for a job, but one is a veteran, the veteran automatically gets preference, with no fear of a lawsuit from the candidate who does not get the job.
Leave it to the boo birds to find something to whine about. For once in your lives, can you not just be happy for our troops? They'll be home for Christmas with the families who miss them very much. Geez.
No Joe- a good suggestion.
(but 'two candidates'? More like 'two hundred' candidates...)
They can keep their jobs in the military and police the entire southern border.
Forrest--not to mention--they could be used to rebuild infrastructure....
"We have met the enemy and he is us!" Pogo by Walt Kelly
Absolutely Forrest, but sadly for many libbies we could never, ever "militarize" the border.
Which is funny if you have been down to the border lately. It is about as militarized as can be. Thousands of ICE agents, but far more are needed, or a decent barrier.
Can't we just say it is not really militarized, we can call it winning hearts and minds!
Make it part of homeland security, and use the returning soldiers to help police our borders. No matter what agencies and fine people already assigned to those duties, having to take on the US military would probably make some of these bad actors think twice.
no jo:
One part of President Obama's jobs bill includes a substantial financial incentive for hiring veterans. Write your Congressman and Senators to let them know you are behind that idea.
I think we can SAFELY knock "Foreign Policy" off the topic list for the presidential debates in 2012 for President Obama.
Somali Pirates.
Tunisia and Egypt.
Osama bin Laden.
Anwar al-Awlaki.
Libya.
And NOW...THIS bit of good news.
Hey, GOP/TPers: WHO'S BEING "NAIVE" NOW!!!!!!!!
Iranian and North Korean nuclear weapons. Deteriorating relations with Pakistand, which already has nuclear weapons. Palestinians going around the administration and demanding recognition as a state. Collapse of the Palestinian /Israeli peace talks. Higher troop deaths in Afghanistan. The shooting down of the helicopter with Seal Team Six on board- after Biden revealed their identities. The alienation of allies. The anger from the Mexican government over our arming drug cartel members- without their knowledge.
You were saying?
Kevin, you nailed it. Wasn't too many weeks ago when Governor Christie had the audacity to claim that President Obama is "a bystander in the oval office." Seems that the by-standers in foreign policy are the GOP.
"Iranian and North Korean nuclear weapons. Deteriorating relations with Pakistand, which already has nuclear weapons....."
Jesus Christ- I give up.
Did I mention yesterday, that there is always someone willing to find the cloud in the silver lining?
"T
he alienation of allies."
Oh, yes- and 'apologizing for America'.
No Joe - C'mon. Yes there are other problems, some foreign some domestic not all the creation or fault of Obama.
No Joe? C-mon, you don't have to be as enthusiastic as me at #15; but this is good news.
Classless losers like NJNB who cannot bring themselves to be grateful to a President for his leadership in the war arena. Success after success. And an end to a long drawn out war. Slinking around spreading vile all in the name of politics. I notice you post way down the line on these vines lately. Little embarrassed by how low you've sunk???
Thank you Mr. President, Thank you!
TRUTH - not CRAP
Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA
The best news finally out of a country we should have never been in the first place. We can thank faux for their pushing the war with their famous propaganda machine.
Faux still at work today to destroy America in any way it can for the rich 1%.
I agree Paul that the republicans will find a way to fault President Obama on this just like they do on everything else.
That's great, it starts with an earthquake, birds and snakes, an aeroplane - Lenny Bruce is not afraid!
I would agree if and only if the only difference between the candidates qualifications is that one is a veteran and the other isn't. In government work the veteran gets extra points on the exam, so they are not judge equally, they get a leg up - which is OK for federal government jobs if that's how they want to do it - but getting involved in the private work force in any way that isn't totally equitable will only cause problems.
I would agree if and only if the only difference between the candidates qualifications is that one is a veteran and the other isn't. In government work the veteran gets extra points on the exam, so they are not judge equally, they get a leg up - which is OK for federal government jobs if that's how they want to do it - but getting involved in the private work force in any way that isn't totally equitable will only cause problems.
Not so fast, you all.
While this is GREAT news, you do realize, of course, it is being made possible through all the courageous and wonderful work of Dick and George, don't you?
(thougth I'd just save some folks a little time behind the old keyboard, here...)
A senior U.S. military official says that the president will announce that ALL U.S. troops leave Iraq by the end of 2011. Some will remain there to secure the Embassy, etc. but that will be a small group (about 100 or so).
Really! Great News. I will cheerlead for this! A foreign policy victory that I can support whole heartedly.
Oo-Ba-ma, Oo-Ba-ma, Oo-Ba-ma Added the chanting for you Mixed Bag :}
Thank you, to our Troops and God bless you all. Thank you, Mr. President for being a Great leader.
Well done!
Soldiers
Sailors
Airmen
Marines
Be safe and welcome home!
Well, there ya go, REPUBS ... now you can say Obama just "cut & run" in Iraq ... give you something else to repeat over and over and over and over for the next few weeks.
Let's hear it, REPUBS ... is Obama just "cut & running?" ... is his action to vacate Iraq insulting the soldiers your Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld team sent there to die? Maybe Cowboy will get elected and he'll pick a fight with Mexico ... at least we won't have to haul all that military equipment overseas.
Since your REPUB representatives aren't going to come out with a serious JOBS PLAN as they ran on in 2010 ... this will be something for them to repeat over and over ...
Drive-by....While this is GREAT news, you do realize, of course, it is being made possible through all the courageous and wonderful work of Dick and George, don't you?
How so?
Thomas- It was meant to be a joke. Like Dick and George being responsible for the demise of OBL....
I am a disabled veteran with psych and physical ailments from my military accomplishments between 1990-1993. I don'tpromote or DEMOTE political campaigners but I can tell you I was on 7 psych medications and chose to stop taking them over a year ago. I have a service dog (MARLEY) she helps with my anxiety levels but without me using “Black-market” marijuana its harder for me to control, without marijuana the ARTHRITIS in my back would be more painful. I have a young friend of mine who is diagnosed with MS (multiple sclerosis) he too benefits from the effects. I say to you the readers KNOW-THE-FACTS…..If it’s legalized it too would stimulate the economy by shutting down unneeded prisons and government spending on prison guards , low-level law officials and programs like” NARK” and “DARE” that eat at local community budgets(This would put the MONEY back where it came from Social Security, Healthcare and WEL-FARE). These are local programs formed by the government under the “war on Drugs” with money bribes to your local politicians. why do you think we all want to know now “WHERE DID THE MONEY GO ?”How about the $$Billions The IRS pays out to ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS under the ACTC (addition child Tax Credit) , ITINs (Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers) have become increasingly linked to fraudulent tax claims which is said to be over $$ 4 Billion a year.It’s hard for me to believe the Agency LACKS the legal authority to challenge such tax returns!The budgets are done every year the money is hidden in programs!!!Have we forgotten we gave IRAQ “GRANTS” to rebuild not LOANS ? How about the tsunami $$ to Japan to rebuild or to Indonesia to rebuild OR HAITI after their earthquake to rebuild ? I have an IDEA use US tax dollars to help the US TAX PAYER……….The sad part is we the people didn’t vote for that congress did for us. when we have a crisis we don’t have the money . Not to mention the new STATE “regulation” on pain medication means I now have to drive to my doctors once a month instead of once-every 3. The raise they are considering for SSDI is a joke compared the the gas$ increases over the past 3yrs. WE keep writing laws that keep LOW-income, LOW-income. wall-street has the gas market cornered their job is to make their investors money, it’s congress that’s spending our money and draining the purse not WALL street. Try sleeping at night knowing the country i was injured protecting is the same country I’m now fighting to legalize an” alleviation” from my symptoms.”Follow ME I’m The Infantry" !!”