U.S. Air Force Capt. Andrea Delosreyes inspects the boom with Airmen 1st Class Christopher Morgan and Jacob Manuel before an in-air refueling mission over Iraq, Aug. 12, 2014. Before each mission, the aircraft commander does a walk-around inspection to validate the safety of the aircraft. Delosreues, a KC-135 Stratotanker pilot, and Morgan and Manuel, KC-135 Stratotanker engine mechanics, are assigned to the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Vernon Young Jr.
What The U.S. Can Realistically Do In Iraq -- Nada Bakos and Tara Maller, CNN
(CNN) -- Over the past few days, politicians and experts have been debating the merits of the Obama administration's strategy in Iraq -- or whether there is in fact a strategy.
The debate generally ignores a key underlying fact: The United States no longer has the ability or the will to shape the outcome in Iraq to the degree that American policy makers would like.
At the same time, politicians on both sides of the aisle appear constrained in their ability to talk candidly about U.S. foreign policy objectives and strategy because of concerns about domestic public opinion and so they often default to partisan sound bites.
In an ideal world, U.S. strategy would be carefully calibrated and aimed at a number of political, military and economic goals for the country and the region.
Read more ....
My Comment: If there is a White House policy towards Iraq .... it is to maintain a military presence that is low key and safe, to use air power when needed, and to get others to carry the fight. Whether such a policy can sustain itself as The Islamic State continues to attack and conquer territory is yet to be seen .... but for the moment there is no U.S. hunger .... both politically and in the eyes of the public .... to get involved in large scale military operations in Iraq.
Update: U.S. Boots Stepping Closer to Iraq -- Mark Thompson, Time
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