U.S. in Iraq until 2018?

[nhboy]

Iraq defense minister sees need for U.S. until 2018

"FORT MONROE, Virginia: The Iraqi defense minister said Monday that his nation would not be able to take full responsibility for its internal security until 2012, nor be able on its own to defend Iraq's borders from external threat until at least 2018.

Those comments from the minister, Abdul Qadir, were among the most specific public projections of a timeline for the American commitment in Iraq by officials in either Washington or Baghdad. And they suggested a longer commitment than either government had previously indicated.

Pentagon officials expressed no surprise at Qadir's projections, which were even less optimistic than those he made last year.

President George W. Bush has never given a date for a military withdrawal from Iraq but has repeatedly said that American forces would stand down as Iraqi forces stand up. Given Qadir's assessment of Iraq's military abilities on Monday, such a withdrawal appeared to be quite distant, and further away than any American officials have previously stated in public."

Iraq defense minister sees need for U.S. until 2018 - International Herald Tribune

 

[MMDad]

Absolutely positive that we will be in Iraq at least until 2018. I'd be surprised if we are out of there this century.

It'll be funny if a democrat wins this year and then they get to justify why they aren't pulling out. They will have control of two branches of goverment, yet still won't be able to keep a promise. They'll get creamed in congress in 2010.

There's no chance this will be a two term president. Whoever wins is doomed to a lame duck presidency.

 

[aps45819]

Iraq defense minister sees need for U.S. until 2018

Pentagon officials expressed no surprise at Qadir's projections, which were even less optimistic than those he made last year.

How long did it take to withdraw all our forces from Germany and Japan after WWII?







....oh wait, we're still there

 

[MMDad]

How long did it take to withdraw all our forces from Germany and Japan after WWII?







....oh wait, we're still there

Then there's the Phillipines...

Other than a short interruption for WWII, we've been there for more than 100 years.

 

[forestal]

2018? Hey great! Just long enough for the children of some of you super patriots to get drafted and prove their worth as true American Cannon Fodder.

<img src="http://www.baltimoresun.com/media/photo/2007-06/30827216.jpg"/>

 

[forestal]

How can this be possible with all the progress the 'Surge' has been making?

Doesn't it seem like our vacate date is a moving target?

 

[edinsomd]

2018? Hey great! Just long enough for the children of some of you super patriots to get drafted and prove their worth as true American Cannon Fodder.

<img src="http://www.baltimoresun.com/media/photo/2007-06/30827216.jpg"/>

No draft, bonehead. Just volunteers.
Ed