U.S. in limbo over Iraq troop presence

[alp227]

Source: The Washington Post

BAGHDAD — The United States’ pleas for Iraq’s government to decide “within weeks” whether American troops should stay beyond a year-end deadline to leave will not be met, Iraqi politicians say, complicating plans for the U.S. military withdrawal.

The Iraqi politicians attributed this to a confluence of domestic issues. Political brinkmanship, popular unrest and mounting mistrust among lawmakers have conspired to make a decision on a lasting U.S. military presence politically untouchable for Iraqi politicians for months to come.

Although Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has been seen as leaving the door open to some extended U.S. support, he has also asserted that Iraq no longer needs military help from the Americans. Any decision to extend the U.S. troop presence into 2012 would need approval from the Iraqi parliament. Compounding the problem is a wave of assassinations of government officials and threats by extremists of further violence should Iraqi leaders vote to extend the U.S. military presence.

“There is no certain time or certain date to decide on the U.S. military, and we will not be in a hurry to take a decision,” Osama al-Nujaifi, the speaker of parliament, said in an interview.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/us_in_limbo_over_iraq_troop_presence/2011/05/05/AFcUFtbG_singlePage.html

[Keith Bee]

1. Why the FUCK is this an "Iraqi decision?????"

Hey, we've bled enough: Let them take care of their own country!!!

[udbcrzy2]

2. Yes, I agree

WTF, if they need someone why don't the Chinese help them since they got oil contracts there and it's in their best interest.

I was glad when they got Bin Laden because (I must be stupid) I thought the troops would be coming home. We got him = ok let's come home then.

[Badsam]

3. Isn't it just amazing how it all works? facepalm

[Yon_Yonson]

4. This whole Iraq thing was just a CLUSTERFUCK to begin with

CIC Barack Obama needs to pull the damn plug and lets be done with Iraq