Odierno's Plan B For Iraq Looks Like It's Plan A Now

(AP Photo/Karim Kadim)
Earlier this week, Odierno said the timeline for combat withdrawal could change if he sees problems with the formation of a new Iraqi government following elections next month. A series of pre-election shooting and car bombing attacks swept the country today, killing 22 people in all.
One of the big problems Mr. Obama faces is what to call the combat unit that remains behind after Aug. 31, 2010, which is the date George W. Bush negotiated for combat troop withdrawal. Some 50,000 troops — not combat forces — will remain behind to help train Iraqi security forces.
The U.S. has about 96,000 troops in Iraq nearly seven years after the American-led invasion that overthrew Saddam Hussein. That's the lowest number of American forces in the country since the invasion.
The remaining support troops are to be gone by the end of 2011.
For the full story on Gen. Ordierno's request, Click here.
Popular on CBSNews.com
- Man dead in "truly shocking" London attack 198 Comments
- Who were the 4 U.S. citizens killed in drone strikes?
- Mexican volcano on verge of eruption 15 Photos
- People cling to car in "sidewalk skiing" stunt Play Video
- Graphic video: Man dead in "truly shocking" London attack Play Video
- N. Korea sends top envoy to China as tensions mount
- Volcano's rumbles may signal coming to life Play Video
- Graphic video: knife-wielding suspect talks to camera Play Video















.
Hmmmm. How about sonething original... like an army of occupation?
.
I don't think that it's up to the Obamster or Odornero anyway... It's the Iraqis who will decide who stays and who leaves.
I agree with both of your points. The Iraqis need to be cajoled into stepping out of the shadows of ethnic and political cowardice and make some hard leadership decisions if they expect current occupying flags to withdraw with any confidence. Otherwise we'll descend right back into the malaise that TCMSOLS obliquely describes in his/her post.