iraq withdrawal

Obama to Troops: Iraq Mission to End in August 2010

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Before 2,000 Marines here on Friday, President Obama announced that the United States combat presence in Iraq will end in August 2010 after about 90,000 troops are withdrawn.

"Let me say this as plainly as I can: By August 31st, 2010, our combat mission in Iraq will end," Obama said to applause from the Marines.

Posted in iraq withdrawal, War/Empire, Afghanistan, Iraq

Iraq Troop Withdrawal or Occupation-Lite?

President Barack Obama said directly that he would be announcing "a way forward in Iraq that leaves Iraq to its people and responsibly ends this war." As far as it goes, that sounds good. This is an indication that President Obama is largely keeping to his campaign promises, and that's a hopeful sign, reflecting the power of the anti-war consensus in this country.

Posted in iraq withdrawal, obama, Iraq

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 27, 2009
12:11 PM

CONTACT: Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation
Travis Sharp 202.546.0795 ext. 2105 tsharp@armscontrolcenter.org

Military Officers Applaud Obama’s Plan for Iraq Withdrawal

President’s Strategy is a responsible way to exit Iraq

WASHINGTON - February 27 - The Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation today applauded President Obama's plan to remove U.S. combat forces from Iraq by August 2010, a date which, 16 months after the plan's commencement in March or April 2009, conforms to the President's campaign pledge.

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The Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)3 non-profit, non-partisan research organization dedicated to enhancing international peace and security in the 21st century. The Center is funded by grants from private foundations and the generosity of thousands of individual donors.

Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Links:

Posted in iraq withdrawal, War/Empire, Iraq

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2009
12:00 PM

CONTACT: The Real News Network
Geraldine Cahill 416.916.5202 Ext:423
smcommunications@therealnews.com

Are Generals Disputing Iraq Pullout?

Do disagreements amongst top generals and Obama on Iraq pullout plan represent a more profound debate?

WASHINGTON - February 19 - With President Obama's plan to "withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq within 16 months" being met with resistance by top U.S generals, The Real News spoke to historian/investigative journalist Gareth Porter to discuss the implications of this internal disagreement.

Porter says that Obama's 16 month withdrawal plan, "generated a good deal of resistance within US command both in Baghdad and from General Patraeus at CENTCOM in Tampa Florida. Petraeus let it be known that they felt it was too risky and that they favored a longer plan to withdraw."

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The Real News Network is a television news and documentary network focused on providing independent and uncompromising journalism. Our staff, in collaboration with courageous journalists around the globe, will investigate, report and debate stories on the critical issues of our times. We are viewer supported and do not accept advertising, government or corporate funding.

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Posted in iraq withdrawal, Iraq

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2009
11:36 AM

CONTACT: Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation
Ashley Hoffman
202.546.0795 ext. 2109
ahoffman@armscontrolcenter.org

New Report Outlines How Obama Can Execute Iraq Withdrawal Plan

Retired Officers Caution Against Efforts to Slow the President’s Redeployment Policy

WASHINGTON - February 19 - In a new report released today by the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, Lieutenant General Robert Gard and Colonel Richard Klass outline how President Obama can responsibly execute his campaign commitment to remove U.S. combat forces from Iraq within 16 months.

Based on recent press reports, there is reason to suspect that there may be an effort underway, led by some military officials and non-governmental analysts, to delay President Obama's 16-month timetable.

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Founded in 1980, the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation is a leading advocate for prudent measures to prevent the spread of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons. Visit the Center online: www.armscontrolcenter.org

Posted in iraq withdrawal, War/Empire, Iraq

Commanders in Iraq Challenge Petraeus on Pullout Risk

WASHINGTON - CENTCOM Commander General David Petraeus and Multinational Force Iraq (MNF-I) Commander General Ray Odierno have submitted assessments of Iraq combat troop withdrawal plans to President Barack Obama based on the premise that his 16-month withdrawal plan would pose significantly greater risk to "security gains" than the 23-month plan they favour.

Posted in iraq withdrawal, Iraq

Petraeus Leaked Misleading Story on Pullout Plans

WASHINGTON - The political maneuvering between President Barack Obama and his top field commanders over withdrawal from Iraq has taken a sudden new turn with the leak by CENTCOM commander Gen. David Petraeus - and a firm denial by a White House official - of an account of the Jan. 21 White House meeting suggesting that Obama had requested three different combat troop withdrawal plans with their respective associated risks, including one of 23 months.

Posted in iraq withdrawal

Generals Seek to Reverse Obama Withdrawal Decision

WASHINGTON - CENTCOM commander Gen. David Petraeus, supported by Defense Secretary Robert Gates, tried to convince President Barack Obama that he had to back down from his campaign pledge to withdraw all U.S. combat troops from Iraq within 18 months at an Oval Office meeting Jan. 21.

But Obama informed Gates, Petraeus and Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen that he wasn't convinced and that he wanted Gates and the military leaders to come back quickly with a detailed 16-month plan, according to two sources who have talked with participants in the meeting.

Posted in iraq withdrawal, obama, Iraq

Out of Iraq in 16 Months: Yes We Can - Yes We Must

Those who supported the Bush invasion and military occupation of Iraq are back at it, warning that President Obama could "imperil" Iraq if he keeps his campaign promise to remove US combat forces within 16 months.

Outgoing Iraqi Ambassador Ryan Crocker told reporters last week that "the greatest error the United States could make in Iraq would be a hurried withdrawal."

Posted in iraq withdrawal, peace

End the Occupation

Under the disastrous Bush years, the U.S. military invaded a country that posed no threat to the United States, destroyed its infrastructure and plunged it into chaos. This led to the death and displacement of millions of Iraqis, squandered the lives of more than 4,000 U.S. troops and robbed our Treasury of billions of much-needed dollars.

Posted in iraq withdrawal, War/Empire, Iraq