The Marine audience at Camp Lejeune applauded President Barack Obama's announcement today that U.S. troops will be withdrawn from Iraq. As the U.S. miliary misssion shifts under the new president, Lejeune will send about 8,000 Marines to Afghanistan this Spring. (Photo by Gerry Broome / AP)
by Julian E. Barnes
President Barack Obama announced today that he will pull the majority of U.S. military forces from Iraq by August 2010, fulfilling his campaign pledge to wind down the Iraq war -- but leaving a substantial residual force behind.
The force of between 35,000 and 50,000 troops will be charged with advising Iraqi units, protecting civilian advisors and officials and conducting counter-terrorism missions. That force will exit the country by the end of 2011.
Ironically, the announcement drew praise from Obama's election opponent, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and criticism from his Democratic allies in Congress who think the remaining force will be too large. And the Marines whom Obama addressed today applauded his announcement of troop withdrawals.
Obama said the U.S. would not be able to achieve a perfect peace in Iraq, but the time had come to shift the burden on to protecting the country to its own government.
"The United States will pursue a new strategy to end the war in Iraq through a transition to full Iraqi responsibility," Obama said in an appearance at a Marine base, Camp Lejeune, in North Carolina today. "This strategy is grounded in a clear and achievable goal shared by the Iraqi people and the American people: an Iraq that is sovereign, stable, and self-reliant."
Although Obama has been a fierce critic of the war in Iraq, opposing it from the beginning, today he took pains to praise the military's performance.
"For the men and women of America's armed forces - and for your families - this war has been one of the most extraordinary chapters of service in the history of our nation," Obama said. "You have endured tour after tour after tour of duty. You have known the dangers of combat and the lonely distance of loved ones. You have fought against tyranny and disorder."
(The Marines at Camp Lejeune applauded President Barack Obama, pictured above announcing the troop withdrawal from Iraq, and they applauded him when he pledged to boost their pay. AP photo by Gerry Broome.)
Obama praised the military for reducing violence, he said, but Iraq is not yet secure, and falling oil revenues, poverty and political disagreements could yet threaten stability. Yet navigating those challenges will be largely left to Iraq.
"The drawdown of our military should send a clear signal that Iraq's future is now its own responsibility," the president told his Marine audience. "The long-term success of the Iraqi nation will depend upon decisions made by Iraq's leaders and the fortitude of the Iraqi people."
With the exception of limited counter-terrorism operations, combat operations would cease after August of next year, officials said, the remaining force to be renamed an advisory force. They said a larger force is needed to help with the massive logistical task of removing the materiel of seven years of war and turning over compounds to the Iraqi military.
Administration officials said they would leave the timing of the precise withdrawals to Gen. Ray Odierno, the top U.S. commander in Iraq. Odierno is likely to withdraw only limited amounts of U.S. forces before the Iraqi national elections later this year, waiting until 2010 to withdraw the bulk of American forces.
"There was a focus on the elections," said a senior administration official. "Gen. Odierno thought it important to have a substantial force on the ground to get through the election."
The stage for the president's announcement today at Camp Lejeune represents a shifting military stance for the U.S.: While the military draws down forces in Iraq, it will be increasing its deployment in Afghanistan, and about 8,000 Marines will deploy to Afghanistan from Camp Lejeune this Spring.
The Aug. 2010 deadline represents a compromise between Obama's pledge on the campaign trail to withdraw forces over 16 months and the military's preference for 23-month drawdown.
Officials said the current plan takes into account risk factors such as flaring violence, renewed sectarian strife and tensions over the elections. Senior administration officials said they believe the military will have enough forces to deal with such contingencies without reversing the drawdown and sending more forces into Iraq.
The White House briefed lawmakers on Thursday on the plan. Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said the remaining force was larger than expected. And House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said she wanted to hear more about the White House justifications for maintaining such a large force.
Some Democrats have worried that such a large residual force will pave the way for a long-term military presence in Iraq, akin to the U.S. bases in South Korea or Germany.
The senior administration official said that part of the mission of the residual force will be shutting down U.S. operations and removing the remainder of U.S. equipment.
"The path is not towards any sort of a Korea model," said a senior administration official. "The path is towards reducing in a fairly substantial way."
The current "Status of Forces Agreement" between the United States and Iraq mandates that all American troops must be out of the country by the end of 2011. Obama said that he planned to continue draw downs after Aug. 2010 - and pledged to meet the agreement with Iraq.
"We will complete this transition to Iraqi responsibility," Obama said. "And we will bring our troops home with the honor that they have earned. ''
Comments
The REAL tyranny and disorder was from the republicans and those who supported this genocide. It was SHAMEFUL that we executed people instead of putting them on trial for any misdeeds. And we STILL haven't put bush cheney on trial. We STILL haven't seized the assets of the invasion and occupation profiteers. And we STILL aren't taking good care of the injured soldiers.
I support Obama.
But we are a nation of children. We are leaving 30 to 50 thousand soldiers there? And calling it over?
Posted by: End the war for the oil companies. Seize their assets | February 27, 2009 12:27 PM
I must say this; I am proud of President Obama for what he said today. Well done,sir.
Posted by: bubba Porter | February 27, 2009 12:29 PM
Seems like Obama is following the script of his predacessor. We already were bringing troops home and to leave up to 50,000 troops 2 years from now doesn't sound like "bringing them home within 16 months of winning the presidency."
Ahhhh, change we can believe in, right??
Posted by: John D | February 27, 2009 12:43 PM
Well Done George Bush!
An ally in the mideast will be priceless in the future. I'll bet it's hard for Barry to swallow that Bush was right and that he was wrong.
Posted by: moreofthesame | February 27, 2009 12:48 PM
Start saving gas now because once we pull out and the anarchy starts, it will be $25 a gallon or more.
Posted by: Joe | February 27, 2009 1:16 PM
Learn how to spell the Presidents name
Posted by: Kat | February 27, 2009 1:25 PM
The good people have won!!!
Our votes made a change!!!!
Thanks God! for giving us a new prsident.
Posted by: Lucas | February 27, 2009 1:36 PM
What he forgot to mention is what he's going to do with all of these troops once they're home.
RIF?
In this economy?
Posted by: Greg | February 27, 2009 1:43 PM
Way to nail it there John D......he missed by 2 whole months. Kudos to you and your abacus.
Posted by: bill r. | February 27, 2009 1:47 PM
OBAMA don't snatch defeat from the jaws of victory !!!
Just follow the path President Bush blazed for you in the Middle East and you'll be alright!
Posted by: Al in Woodridge | February 27, 2009 1:51 PM
Obama caved. He lied with regard to his campaign promise of immediate withdrawal from Iraq. Obama basically did what Bush wanted to do--short of a few months. And, after 18 months Obama will continue to leave troops--many of them combat troops--in Iraq. The Iraqis won't get off their butts any more in 18 months than they have thus far. No real autonomous improvements there to date. The only difference will be more American flag-draped coffins. The surge failed, more Americans will die and Obama is enabling all of it. What other Dem will run in 2012? Can't wait. The Pugs love how they and the Pentagon ran circles around Obama. Obama can't continue to throw money at us while breaking promises about getting out of Iraq. The "war' was the biggest thing in the election. And the "war" continues to negatively affect our economy. I can only conclude that Obama is a big liar or else a wienie in relation to Gates and Betrayus. Gates and Betrayus sold Obama the story that "safe" can not be immediate--or can not be in six months. BS. So, continue to show the caskets for the next 18 months--and forever into the future for the ongoing 50,000 troops. Obama, as an adult, was never kept away from his family, his career, his home, or from his favorite restaurants due to tour after tour after tour. No clue. The lives of the troops really are of no consequence to Obama--no matter what he professes. Actions speak much more than words. Obama's action/announcement today killed more people. Watch. In 18 months or less, Gates and Betrayus will come up with yet another reason to stay longer in Iraq. That 3/4 billion dollar Bush/Cheney American embassy in Iraq--the most expensive ever for the USA-- was not built for nothing. Obama "the enabler" has been played.
Posted by: Vivian | February 27, 2009 2:09 PM
Hmmm, isn't that what President Nixon said about Saigon? Uhh.. I mean Ho Chi Minh City.
Posted by: Tim | February 27, 2009 2:13 PM
I am a Republican, but I have never been against such a life taking, money guzzling thing in my life than this infernal war in Iraq.
Afghanistan was necessary after 911, Iraq was not.
Shut it down Mr. Obama, the sooner the better.
Posted by: Big Al | February 27, 2009 2:13 PM
the traffic was a bitch on camp lejeune!!!
Posted by: marine | February 27, 2009 2:15 PM
What all these idiot Obama lovers dont realize is that he is sending tons of troops to pakistan and afganistan. So all Obama is doing is taking troops out of one middle east country and placing them in another. The sheep drink the kool-aid and worship their god.
Posted by: Seville J | February 27, 2009 2:32 PM
Great- now we compromise on a date between those who know what they are talking about and those who have no idea what they are talking about. That's leadership? That's the Obama/Kerry/Clinton new way of smarter better?
Explain how this is new and different than "we'll stand down when the Iraqis stand up?" How is this different than the end of 2011 negotiated by Bush and made possible by the surge?
By the way, February 2009 is the worst month for hostile action US deaths since last summer in Iraq, I hope this is not a trend.
Posted by: eco | February 27, 2009 2:34 PM
eco...darn skippy...we need the leaders who let us know...We will be greated as liberators, there will be no door to door fighting, the oil will pay for the war......dog gone...we long for that again...but thank you for playing!!!!!
Posted by: bill r. | February 27, 2009 2:51 PM
If you look at the picture here of the troops at Fort Lejune, none of them are smiling. They look like troops always looked whenever Bush or Cheney would speak to them. Yep. Obama went down the road of hiding behind the troops like Bush always did. Very sad. Obama gone wrong.
Posted by: Vivian | February 27, 2009 2:52 PM
Okay, Bubba Porter. I'm going to be nice to you the rest of the day. Maybe all weekend.
"moreofthesame" on the other hand makes no sense whatsoever.
Posted by: Flo | February 27, 2009 3:27 PM
Chuck Norris for president!
Posted by: Whatever | February 27, 2009 3:28 PM
What about the "real Terrorists"? You all know who they are: The Presidential Identity Theft Task Force, JP Morgan Chase, and Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc., George Bush, Dick Cheney, and Alan Shapiro!!!
How about ending the real War on Terror here in the United States and put an end to the Fascist's who call themselves the "New World Order" from attacking and ruining innocent American's lives through these Identity Theft and Mortgage Schemes!!!
Launching Tomahawk's and invading foreign lands of people who most American's have little or no understanding about doesn't stop "Terrorism"- IT BREED'S IT!!! And all that these self-proclaimed "liberators" have accomplished over the past 8 years is to export our American ideals and our economy overseas while enslaving the American people to their DEBTS!!! This isn't a matter of "National Security" folks! It's really an issue of "National Naivety"!!! And this is absolutely killing us all as well as our children's futures right now!!! WAKE UP!!!
Posted by: This Guy | February 27, 2009 3:54 PM
Pretty easy to parrot Bush, except for the fact that there was a moment I think of a little vomit in the mouth.
This is what we've waited for? from Iraq to Afghanistan and Pakistan. More killing, more dead Americans, more American dollars poured into war. Ah, but it's not Bush's war, it's Obama's war now. How nice.
In the meantime, tax the heck out of the American people who make a decent living (combined household incomes of $250,000 is far from rich), toss pork projects back at the pigs who funded the campaign and call it "job well done"??
Posted by: springfield | February 27, 2009 4:22 PM
Sounds like OUR president has a good handle on George Bush's war.
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | February 27, 2009 4:35 PM
50,000 troopers until 2011. or 12 or 13 or, as in Korea, maybe forever? One thing we have learned about Obama is that what he said yesterday is no longer operable. What hasn't he changed his prior positions on? Being a president is a lot different than being a demogoging candidate...as he is learning.
Posted by: Barrett | February 27, 2009 4:44 PM
Bring the troops home from Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan and put them on the southern border with Mexico. The killing and violence has been spilling over into this country for too long. Why won't our politicians worry about the every day terrorisim that drugs and dealers bring to this country. This is a real war that is invading our country. Act now. Who cares about the Hispanic vote or approval from Mexico.
Posted by: mad citizen | February 27, 2009 4:54 PM
"The force of between 35,000 and 50,000 troops will be charged with advising Iraqi units, protecting civilian advisors and officials and conducting counter-terrorism missions. That force will exit the country by the end of 2011."
The Iraqis should foot the bill for this with all their oil surplus dollars. We've already been doing this for years. If they haven't gotten their act together by now, they never will (and it's no longer our problem).
Posted by: DD | February 27, 2009 5:12 PM
As a veteran of OIF - I am proud of those marines, and all those who have shared in the sacrifice to protect this nation and its constitution, and I hope that they return with the same resolve they have demonstrated, and that they insist that this nation live up to the promise of honoring the service the men and women who have worn a uniform have given to this nation. Their achievements under Gen. Petraeus are due to a strategy that I hope this President, who has no military experience, little foreign policy experience, and shown very little respect toward those who, in his words, "wasted" their lives, will now support. The professionalism that they demonstrated today toward someone who has shown very little respect toward them, should speak volumes to the American people that they are part of one of the few institutions that haven't failed the American people - something the politicians who opposed the surge and the change in strategy can NOT claim. I am confident that veterans will never forget who stood with us, supported us, and believed in us - we are the change you can believe in - not the political hucksters who think flag pins and symbolism can ever substitute for real sacrifice. God help the Iraqi people - they are going to need it.
Posted by: Chris | February 27, 2009 6:18 PM
President Obama is the greatest. ( Sorry Ali ! ). I am 58 years old and remember every President since JFK. Not one former President has made such and intense and successfull effort to keep his campaign promises like this man. I can't believe he has only been in office 1 month. I voted for him but, to be truthfull, I didn't think he would be this effective so soon. This just blows me away!. Bring those boys home Pres!
Posted by: Edwin L. Jones | February 27, 2009 6:26 PM
Has echos of Nixon's "Vietnamization"
Posted by: MIke P | February 27, 2009 6:36 PM
A promise kept, plus or minus a few months.
Posted by: ornery | February 27, 2009 7:34 PM
I am amazed at the blatant ignorance of some of these comments. Obama did exactly what was right and I have to laugh at any of those supporters who thought he was going to bail out of Iraq as soon as he became president. Sure Obama opposed the invasion of Iraq, back when he didn't have a dog in the fight (he was still just a state senator then). It's a whole different ball game when you are the one sitting in the "captains chair" and have to make real decisions. I think Obama made the correct move based on the ground truth. Secondly, for those of you who still don't "get it" about Iraq, remember that at the battle of Tora Bora we stomped the Taliban and Al Qaeda. They fled and splintered out to countries like Pakistan, Yemen, Syria, and of course Iraq. Al Qaeda in Iraq (AQSM) was well organized, funded, and supplied. Unfortunately for them they had no Iraqi "protectorate" like they had in Afghanistan under the Taliban and we crushed them as well. The real problem now will be Pakistan and the fact that the Taliban has been granted autonamy in that border region. Please note that Obama is still launching missiles into Pakistan for that reason...he is no dummy. You should also note that he hasn't released all those detainees either; they may shut down Gitmo, but so far many of those "innocent" detainees that have been released went right back to being terrorists. Gee, what a surprise.
Posted by: US Army Special Forces SGM (ret) Emerson Bolen | February 27, 2009 8:44 PM
Mission accomplished part 2, Our new president can't seem to win at monopoly so know he's going to try his luck at risk. it's just a game for the kids in washington if they lose they just start another game.
Posted by: Sam | February 28, 2009 12:59 PM