As The U.S. Military Leaves Iraq, The U.S. State Department Moves In

U.S. marines raise the U.S. flag during a formal opening of the new U.S. embassy in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone. Reuters

Top Diplomat Defends Size, Cost Of State Dept. Presence In Iraq -- Washington Post

The top U.S. diplomat in Iraq on Tuesday defended the size and cost of the State Department's operations in that country, telling lawmakers that a significant diplomatic footprint will be necessary after the withdrawal of U.S. troops at the end of this year.

James F. Jeffrey, the U.S. ambassador in Iraq, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that his staff of 8,000 will grow in the coming year to about 17,000 people, the vast majority of whom will be contractors.

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Update: 5,500 Mercs to Protect U.S. Fortresses in Iraq -- The Danger Room

My Comment: The State Department is not the Pentagon and it does not have the resources that the U.S. military have. Will they be able to do accomplish U.S. goals with less .... hmmmm .... I am skeptical.