Obama: U.S. combat mission in Iraq ends this month
148 replies, posted
[QUOTE=USA Today]President Obama today will outline his plan to end U.S. combat operations in Iraq by the end of this month.
Here are some excerpts from today's speech to the national convention of the Disabled American Veterans:
Today, your legacy of service is carried on by a new generation of Americans. Some stepped forward in a time of peace, not foreseeing years of combat. Others stepped forward in this time of war, knowing they could be sent into harm's way. For the past nine years, in Afghanistan and Iraq, they have borne the burdens of war. They -- and their families -- have faced the greatest test in the history of our all-volunteer force -- serving tour after tour, year after year. Through their extraordinary service they have written their own chapters in the American story, and by any measure have earned their place among the greatest of generations.
Now, one of those chapters is nearing an end. As a candidate for President, I pledged to bring the war in Iraq to a responsible end. Shortly after taking office, I announced our new strategy for Iraq and for a transition to full Iraqi responsibility. And I made it clear that by August 31, 2010 America's combat mission in Iraq would end. And that is exactly what we are doing -- as promised, on schedule.
Already, we have closed or turned over to Iraq hundreds of bases. We're moving out millions of pieces of equipment in one of the largest logistics operations that we've seen in decades. By the end of this month, we'll have brought more than 90,000 of our troops home from Iraq since I took office -- more than 90,000.
Today -- even as terrorists try to derail Iraq's progress -- because of the sacrifices of our troops and their Iraqi partners, violence in Iraq continues to be near the lowest it's been in years. And next month, we will change our military mission from combat to supporting and training Iraqi security forces. In fact, in many parts of the country, Iraqis have already taken the lead for security.
As agreed to with the Iraqi government, we will maintain a transitional force until we remove all our troops from Iraq by the end of next year. During this period, our forces will have a focused mission -- supporting and training Iraqi forces, partnering with Iraqis in counterterrorism missions, and protecting our civilian and military efforts. These are dangerous tasks. And there are still those with bombs and bullets who will try to stop Iraq's progress. The hard truth is we have not seen the end of American sacrifice in Iraq.
But make no mistake, our commitment in Iraq is changing -- from a military effort led by our troops to a civilian effort led by our diplomats. And as we mark the end of America's combat mission in Iraq, a grateful America must pay tribute to all who served there.
For our nation has had vigorous debates about the Iraq War. There are patriots who supported going to war, and patriots who opposed it. But there has never been any daylight between us when it comes to supporting, the more than one million Americans in uniform have served in Iraq -- far more than any conflict since Vietnam.
These men and women from across our country have done more than meet the challenges of this young century. Through their extraordinary courage, confidence and commitment, these troops and veterans have proven themselves as a new generation of American leaders. While our country has sometimes been divided, they have fought together as one. While other individuals and institutions have shirked responsibility, they have welcomed it. And while it is easy to be daunted by overwhelming challenges, the generation that has served in Iraq has overcome every test before them."[/QUOTE]
[url]http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2010/08/obama-us-combat-mission-in-iraq-ends-this-month/1[/url]
Good to hear.
The real news will be the following months.
We've heard something similar to this about 10 times. In a couple of weeks he's just going to say, 'ACTUALLY, WE NEED MORE TROOPS.'
Good news indeed.
I bet it's not going to happen.
they'll probably pull out of iraq but stay in afghanistan
Hallelujah!
[QUOTE=TheDestroyerOfall;23778504]they'll probably pull out of iraq but stay in afghanistan[/QUOTE]
Staying in Afghanistan is a given.
[editline]09:46AM[/editline]
it'd be his first really big thing if he could pull out of Iraq
This is the only possible way he'll get reelected really. If he does actually manage to pull us out by Q4 by 2011, he'll be a shoe in for 2012
otherwise people are still pissy
I just hope America doesn't have to go back there because the Iraqi government collapses under a surge of violence when America leaves.
[QUOTE=DamagePoint;23778646]I just hope America doesn't have to go back there because the Iraqi collapses under a surge of violence when America leaves.[/QUOTE]
If it does, we won't
americans are like charlie sheen
fuck it and ~leave~ to pick up the pieces
[QUOTE=DamagePoint;23778646]I just hope America doesn't have to go back there because the Iraqi collapses under a surge of violence when America leaves.[/QUOTE]
Doesn't matter to America.
We can't keep holding hands with the Iraqi government with everything.
Well hope this happens now. They can't do so much more. The only place that seems to be fixed are Israel and Afghanistan
I really hope the place stays stable after we leave. If everything falls apart after we leave it's gonna seem like a humongous waste of time, effort, and resources.
I have my doubts...
[QUOTE=Mr. Someguy;23779847]I really hope the place stays stable after we leave. If everything falls apart after we leave it's gonna seem like a humongous waste of time, effort, and resources.[/QUOTE]
Like invading it in the first place?
Not one WMD found at all.
At least Saddam got out of power, if that amounts to anything.
:aaaaa:
It will be so weird not being at war with anyone... of course the UK is still in Afghanistan still 2014 but yeah. I can't quite imagine what life will be like without the War in Afghanistan, it's been so long and I was 6 when it started.
Let's hope this or the events following won't be interesting at all.
[QUOTE=Emperor Scorpious II;23778680]Doesn't matter to America.
We can't keep holding hands with the Iraqi government with everything.[/QUOTE]
We probably will for a long time still. Iraq isn't just a patch of desert like Afghanistan, it actually has the potential to develop and westernize.
[QUOTE=Sharq;23778488]Good news indeed.[/QUOTE]
Why is the US pulling out of the country they [b]really[/b] fucked up good news?
We should be building schools now, not fucking pulling out.
[editline]05:05PM[/editline]
[QUOTE=POLOPOZOZO;23781401]We probably will for a long time still. Iraq isn't just a patch of desert like Afghanistan, it actually has the potential to develop and westernize.[/QUOTE]
[url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Afghanistan]Uh, Afghanistan used to have a decent republic (right before the communists).[/url]
[QUOTE=POLOPOZOZO;23781401]We probably will for a long time still. Iraq isn't just a patch of desert like Afghanistan, it actually has the potential to develop [B]and westernize[/B].[/QUOTE]
Was that our goal then? To destroy eastern cultures so they're more susceptible to western encroachment?
[QUOTE=marl karx;23781445]Why is the US pulling out of the country they [B]really[/B] fucked up good news?
We should be building schools now, not fucking pulling out.
[editline]05:05PM[/editline]
Uh, Afghanistan used to have a decent republic (right before the communists).[/QUOTE]
building schools =/= combat operations
[QUOTE=djshox;23781515]building schools =/= combat operations[/QUOTE]
And that exactly is the issue.
[QUOTE=Emperor Scorpious II;23781476]Was that our goal then? To destroy eastern cultures so they're more susceptible to western encroachment?[/QUOTE]
Ok maybe not westernize, idustrialize, modernize, etc.
[editline]12:16PM[/editline]
[QUOTE=marl karx;23781445][url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Afghanistan]Uh, Afghanistan used to have a decent republic (right before the communists).[/url][/QUOTE]
A decent [I]attempt[/I].
Hopefully, the Iraq gov't can maintain stability and continue building up the country with the money the US gave them.
If it does come true, it'll be a bittersweet news piece.
It's not going to happen....
WTF do you mean it's not going to happen the combat mission is scheduled to end in 29 days that's when the combat mission will end.
Fucking [b]finally[/b]. This made my day.
Next episode: All troops allocated to the Korea DMZ
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