RECENT SCENES FROM IRAQ

PRESIDENT O’BAMA CARRIES OUT HIS CAMPAIGN PROMISE THAT HE WILL HAVE THE COMBAT TROOPS OUT BY AUGUST 2010. DURING HIS CAMPAIGN, HE BASICALLY SAID THAT AMERICA COULD NOT BE THE WORLD POLICEMAN. THE WAR, THEN, WAS ABOUT 6 YEARS ALREADY AND WOULD COST A TRILLION MORE.

WITHDRAWING ALSO IS NOT EASY.

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Recent scenes from Iraq

Just over seven years since the start of the Iraq War, the scheduled withdrawal of American forces is now becoming more evident. Last year, Americans pulled out of Iraqi cities and are working toward the formal end of combat operations by September 1st, when the number of soldiers in Iraq is expected to go from 77,500 to 50,000, and the name of the operation will change from “Operation Iraqi Freedom” to “Operation New Dawn”. Iraq continues to face multiple challenges including home-grown problems and potential external threats. Political uncertainty and wrangling after elections in March has fostered greater instability throughout the country with fears of renewed sectarian violence breaking out as insurgents step up attacks in an attempt to exploit vulnerabilities. Collected here are some recent photographs from the Iraq conflict. (42 photos total)

Recent scenes from Iraq – The Big Picture – Boston.com

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U.S. withdrawal from Iraq will be on time, Vice President Biden says

U.S. withdrawal from Iraq will be on time, Vice President Biden says

President Obama called Iraq his predecessor’s war of choice. Now it is his war to exit — and quickly.

The challenge for Obama, whose opposition to the Iraq invasion helped propel him to the presidency, is sticking to his timeline for a U.S. military withdrawal despite a jump in violence and continued wrangling among Iraqi politicians over who will lead the country.

The sensitive departure is being managed by Vice President Biden, who says the U.S. military will reduce troop levels to 50,000 this summer, even if no new Iraqi government takes shape.

“It’s going to be painful; there’s going to be ups and downs,” Biden said in a 40-minute interview in his West Wing office this month. “But I do think the end result is going to be that we’re going to be able to keep our commitment.”

White House officials say Iraqis are increasingly relying on politics, rather than violence, to deal with disputes, diminishing the need for U.S. forces. But the situation on the ground demonstrates that Iraq remains fractured…..

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YouTube – Iraq Withdrawal Remains on Track

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpHSCvJDig8

Despite the fact that the Iraqi government remains in disarray, expert Ken Pollack says the fiercely nationalistic Iraqi people are ready for U.S. troops to leave. In this week’s @Brookings podcast, Pollack says tens of thousands of American troops have already left Iraq, and the military withdrawal of men and material is proceeding smoothly so far.

YouTube – Obama Announces End to Iraq War in Aug. 2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxG0JrWNDaU&feature=related

President Barack Obama said Friday that he will withdraw America’s combat brigades from Iraq over the next 18 months. (Feb. 27)

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YouTube – Troops React to Obama’s Iraq Pullout Plan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtlZF8zs3u8&feature=channel

Some troops, veterans and military families in Fort Hood, Texas support President Barack Obama’s plan to remove U.S. combat forces by August 2010. (Feb. 27)

YouTube – First Person: Military Reacts to Obama’s Plan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fI8WXoLEWbo&NR=1

Members of the military stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina reacted President Barack Obama’s speech Friday. (Feb. 27)

YouTube – Military Generals Rebel Against President Obama

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuszzPHda9I&feature=related

Watch more at http://www.theyoungturks.com

YouTube – MIR – Iraq Withdrawal Lite

Barack Obama announced his plan to withdraw most US troops from Iraq by August 2010. Can a withdrawal plan point to an “end” to the war while leaving behind a garrison of up to 50,000 troops in a hostile land? Did the President break his promise? And what do Iraqis think?

Answers to these questions and more on Link TV’s Mosaic Intelligence Report. Presented by Jamal Dajani.