Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi speaks during extraordinary cabinet meeting after he handed his resignation letter to the parliament, in Baghdad, Iraq on 30 November 2019. [Prime Ministry of Iraq / Handout - Anadolu Agency]
Time: Despite U.S.-Iraq Feud, Iraqi Prime Minister Privately Mulls Delay of U.S. Troop Departure
Since Friday, when the U.S. killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani near Iraq’s only international airport, Baghdad and Washington have, on the outside, remained locked in a bitter diplomatic feud. Iraq’s parliament voted on Sunday that U.S. troops should end their ISIS-fighting mission in the country. Since then, President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to impose harsh economic sanctions on the country if it ejects American troops.
On Monday, Mahdi publicly declared that U.S. troops were confined to base, limited to “training and advising” only, and his office released a statement that he’d told the U.S. ambassador to Baghdad that both countries needed to “implement the withdrawal of foreign forces”, even as Trump administration officials try to stave off the expulsion behind the scenes.
But privately, Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi has been trying to slow-roll the American departure, Iraqi advisors say, fearful not just of Trump’s threatened sanctions, but of the departure of Western investment along with the foreign troops, and a resurgence of the so-called Islamic State without U.S. assets to hunt it.
Read more ....
Update: Is Iraq Changing Its Mind On Expelling U.S. Forces?
WNU Editor: The above Time post is a must read. Bottom line. The Iraqi government and the Iraqi political establishment need the US more than the US needs them. And everyone is realizing that right now, two days after voting for the US to leave.
2 comments:
You're right. This is a "must read." I especially like the statement of the Iranian official stating Iraq needs an "amicable divorce." Also, as you state Iraq needs the US more than the US needs it. This seems spot on as well.
Frankly when I first heard Iraq was planning to expel the US military I asked "why would they do this when they are receiving enormous benefits from this at minimal to no cost to them?" At the time, I concluded they weren't serious. The whole thing was for show. As I explained to a friend, top Iraqi officials would have heart attacks if we actually called their bluff except my description of what they'd do was a bit more colorful.
Frankly I think we should get out of Iraq NOW!! I understand it is vital to keep an eye/handle on Iran. Can this be done without the Iraqi bases? I think we can.
I'm pretty sure the "draft" that was "leaked" wasn't an accident. I'm pretty sure it has Iraqi leaders spooked as was the intent. I'm sure this was the intent. I don't think they thought we'd call their bluff. If it does come to a "divorce" as I believe it should, knowing we are willing to consider redeployment with or without their blessing should help us get better terms.
You're better off believing the devil that it's got your soul
Post a Comment