Report: Setting A Date For Withdrawal Will Help Preserve Security Gains In Iraq
Report: Setting A Date For Withdrawal Will Help Preserve Security Gains In Iraq
Over the weekend, Iraq’s foreign minister said that the U.S. should set a “very clear timeline” for withdrawal from Iraq. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) — like President Bush before him — has repeatedly rejected setting a date for withdrawal.
A newly updated report from the Center for American Progress, entitled “How to Redeploy,” demonstrates that refusing to set a date for withdrawal risks endangering the gains of the last year and a half. As the report notes, the recent declines in violence are “due in large part to the emergence of Sunni ‘awakening’ groups and Sons of Iraq militias,” who cooperated as a result of their belief in the fall of 2006 that the U.S. would soon be withdrawing:
Brigadier Gen. Sean McFarland…credited the ‘growing concern that the U.S. would leave Iraq and leave the Sunnis defenseless against Al-Qaeda and Iranian-supported militias …’ as the main reason for the turn around in Al Anbar.
While introducing the report, Center for American Progress Senior Fellow Larry Korb explained, “[N]ow — more than ever — it is important to set a date”:
We would argue now — more than ever — it’s important to set a date, because this is the one thing that all of the factions in Iraq agree on and we need to bring them together. [...]
A lot of people have argued that if you set a date to get out now, you will undermine the gains that have occurred in the last year and a half. In our view it’s exactly the opposite, if you don’t set a deadline you will in fact undermine those gains, because if the…people who have been part of this awakening movement that started in Al Anbar province think the United States will be there indefinitely, they will no longer cooperate with us.
Watch it:
In addition, the report — prepared in consultation with “military planners and logistics experts” — finds “that an orderly and safe withdrawal” from Iraq “is best achieved over an 8 to 10 month period.” The proposed timeline is possible because the U.S. does not need to remove from Iraq “every nut and bolt belonging to the U.S. government”:
The United States clearly wants to remove all equipment of value or sensitive nature from Iraq as it withdraws, but it does not need to remove every nut and bolt belonging to the U.S. government. A 10-month timeframe should be sufficient to remove most heavy or sensitive American assets from Iraq while leaving behind non-essential equipment and supplies.
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Moqtada Sadr has already agreed to dismantle the Mahdi Army in response to a withdrawal timeline (although I personally think he will do it for other political reasons). Maliki and Rubaie have read the writing on the wall in regards to Iraqi elections, and are stepping up the pressure for a full withdrawal. Rubaie, the Iraqi National Security Adviser, has already been asking for a specific date when there will be no more US troops visible in Iraq. At the same time, as part of the new security agreement, Maliki is asking that US troops be confined to base.
August 11th, 2008 at 3:49 pmJust get the US imperial occupying armies out of the Republic of Iraq. It was “perfectly secure” before the Bush gangsters llegally and criminally invaded and occupied Iraq. Just a quiet brutal dictatorship under Saddam where most people had jobs, water, electricity, food and health care. After the Bush debacle, things are ten times worse for the average Iraqi. One million dead Iraqis: the blood is on the hands of the worthless lying traitors such as Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and Rice. The lying complicit corporate media (ABC, CBS, NBC, Faux and MSNBC, NY Times, LA Times, Washington Post, Washington Times and SF Chronicle) are also heavily to blame for allowing this fascist aggression to occur…
August 11th, 2008 at 3:52 pmThe lack of a “date certain” for withdrawal adds to uncertainty for Iraqi business as well. It is impossible for nyone to make any long-term plans if they fear street fighting between foreign troops and “insurgents” making it too dangerous to do business.
August 11th, 2008 at 3:52 pmMeanwhile…
Flippy McSpin says: “My friends. I wanted to let you all know that my secret plan to force the Iraqis to set a timetable is bearing fruit. I saved the world. And I did it for you, my friends”.
August 11th, 2008 at 3:58 pmAnd anyone thinking that this will happen WITHOUT full amnesty for civilians AMD a 30 year oil concession agreement AND permanent bases are smoking Repug crack!
August 11th, 2008 at 4:10 pmIraqis must be optimists, thinking that a U.S. presidential election will end the occupation of their country. The 2004 election didn’t, and there’s a good chance this one won’t either.
August 11th, 2008 at 4:11 pmHmmm…. how about bringing the troops home now ???
August 11th, 2008 at 4:18 pmMcCain will soon come out with his plan for a 10 month “Time Surge” for withdrawal from Iraq.
August 11th, 2008 at 4:19 pmThe only “security gains” they care about is OIL.
August 11th, 2008 at 4:20 pmWe would argue now — more than ever — it’s important to set a date, because this is the one thing that all of the factions in Iraq agree on and we need to bring them together. […]
If we don’t agree to a timeline to leave, we will bring all the factions together in a way that we won’t like very much. We will bring them together in a united front to dive the occupiers out. If the people in Iraq think we plan on occupying them forever, they will take up arms and drive us out.
As the report notes, the recent declines in violence are “due in large part to the emergence of Sunni ‘awakening’ groups and Sons of Iraq militias,” who cooperated as a result of their belief in the fall of 2006 that the U.S. would soon be withdrawing:
It’s also due to the fact that we are paying them not to shoot at us. I think it extraordinary that these people are willing to give up the money they are being paid by the US government if it means that we will leave and stop occupying Iraq. Apparently loyalty to their country means more to them than the dollars we are giving them. I say good for them!
August 11th, 2008 at 4:26 pmBrigadier Gen. Sean McFarland…credited the ‘growing concern that the U.S. would leave Iraq and leave the Sunnis defenseless against Al-Qaeda and Iranian-supported militias …’ as the main reason for the turn around in Al Anbar.
THAT…Plus Amnesty, Weapons, and Duffel Bags full of Ca$h.
What are the Candidates positions on PERMANENT BASES?? Mr. Korb is right, there is a Lull in the Violence BECAUSE the Iraqis Believe we ARE leaving.
August 11th, 2008 at 4:28 pmBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
We would argue now — more than ever — it’s important to set a date, because this is the one thing that all of the factions in Iraq agree on and we need to bring them together. […]
If we don’t agree to a timeline to leave, we will bring all the factions together in a way that we won’t like very much. We will bring them together in a united front to dive the occupiers out. If the people in Iraq think we plan on occupying them forever, they will take up arms and drive us out.
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The scary thing about this is that no two Iraqis ever agree on anything. The fact that Iraqis, even among different religious sects all agree on us leaving, speaks volumes.
August 11th, 2008 at 4:28 pmThe scary thing about this is that no two Iraqis ever agree on anything. The fact that Iraqis, even among different religious sects all agree on us leaving, speaks volumes.
August 11th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
We can thank “the uniter” for that. He has “united” three quarters of our country against him and “united” most of the world against us. We can only hope the people of Iraq will be patient enough to let us walk out, instead of fleeing in panic.
August 11th, 2008 at 4:38 pm“… the U.S. does not need to remove from Iraq “every nut and bolt belonging to the U.S. government”
damn right.
and unless it IS of a “sensitive nature”, ANYthing of value should be left behind… the barest minimum of any kind of repayment for the havoc that was created…
and apologize profusely, over and over…
August 11th, 2008 at 4:52 pmThe Iraqi’s want us out, most of clear thinking Americans want us out…War profiteers..not so much.
August 11th, 2008 at 4:58 pm… remove most heavy or sensitive American assets from Iraq while leaving behind non-essential equipment and supplies.
that sounds like trashy campers…
leave it all – ESPECIALLY the Essetial equipment and supplies.
and say, “i’m sorry.”
August 11th, 2008 at 5:03 pmZed Lefflin Says:
It is obvious to the ardent observer that time until with drawl will accrue until McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway and Starbucks have a strong hold in multiple place across the country.
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Funny, we had a Pizza Hutt and a Burger King at the BIAP in Baghdad in 2004. There was a Pizza Hutt, Subway, and Burger King in both Talil (near Al-Nasiriya) and Balad. Just after we left I heard that they got a KFC at Camp Victory North.
August 11th, 2008 at 5:09 pmWe better blow up any explosives or ammunition we don’t take with us. Otherwise we might find it used against us before too long.
As I recall…the Iraqis Know how to loot.
And how much of this trash we might leave is made of Depleted Uranium???
August 11th, 2008 at 5:13 pmWe better blow up any explosives or ammunition we don’t take with us. Otherwise we might find it used against us before too long.
I agree with blowing it up but for a different reason.
In the remote event that Jeb, Barb or Jenna Bu$h should ever become president, they would undoubtedly be tempted to re-invade Iraq in an effort to correct for their brother/daddy’s mistakes.
We don’t want to leave any “excuses” for such an action behind.
August 11th, 2008 at 5:27 pmWe better blow up any explosives or ammunition we don’t take with us. Otherwise we might find it used against us before too long.
It’s already being used against us in Iraq and Afghanistan. That’s what happens when you arm anyone who says they won’t shoot at you. Some of them lie and some sell the arms to others or “lose” them.
I wonder, will we ever learn what proportion of the violence committed is perpetrated with weapons provided by us? Will the 200,000 “missing” small-arms show up? Will they show up in Afghanistan? How many IEDs are made from good ol’ American C4?
I have to admit I chuckle when they cry about weapons from Iran. There’s no reason for Iraqis to shop in Iran when we have provided an ammo dump every few miles and pass out weapons like candy. Heck! All they have to do is knock over a police outpost if they run low on ammo.
August 11th, 2008 at 5:29 pmBTW. I am also very concerned about disarming Blackwater and other mercs. We simply can’t allow a private army to return to our shores with their weapons.
August 11th, 2008 at 5:31 pmTest
August 11th, 2008 at 6:20 pmChris L Says:
Funny, we had a Pizza Hutt and a Burger King at the BIAP in Baghdad in 2004. There was a Pizza Hutt, Subway, and Burger King in both Talil (near Al-Nasiriya) and Balad. Just after we left I heard that they got a KFC at Camp Victory North.
that just doesn’t sound right…
August 11th, 2008 at 6:34 pm.
Oh, I see…
… It’s not a cut-N-run when the Neoclowns do it!
…NO?
.
August 12th, 2008 at 12:59 am.
So the Al-CIA-DUH(!) insurgency should hunker down for another 10 months, THEN they can have their country back?
.
August 12th, 2008 at 1:02 amAudio from the speech is up here.
August 12th, 2008 at 2:05 pm