July 1, 2009
Have We Forgotten Iraq?
Washington Post: While Iraq Celebrates the Pullback of U.S. Troops From Cities, Most Americans Seem Indifferent
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President Barack Obama meets with Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, April 7, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
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The celebrations in Iraq marking the pullback of U.S. combat forces from Baghdad and other cities stand in stark contrast to the reaction in the United States. Here the transfer of power has been met almost with public indifference, overshadowed by everything from Michael Jackson's death to the fate of President Obama's domestic agenda.
A year ago, in the heat of the presidential campaign, the issue of whether U.S. forces should stay or go produced pointed debate and disagreement between Obama and John McCain. Now, the transfer of authority for protecting the cities from U.S. to Iraqi forces has been greeted with near-universal acceptance -- if also with some trepidation over what may happen next.
Obama marked the moment with brief remarks yesterday afternoon at the White House, saying that the Iraqi people were "rightly treating this day as a cause for celebration," while noting that Iraqi leaders have many political issues to resolve. He praised U.S. forces for all they have done there.
The president also took note of the recent attacks and killings in Iraq. "There will be difficult days ahead," he said. "We know the violence in Iraq will continue." But he said he remained confident that the forces behind the bombings will fail. He concluded by saying, "There is more work to be done, but we've made important progress."
The pullback from the cities is not, technically, a withdrawal. The United States still has roughly 130,000 troops in Iraq and will for many months. The real drawdown will not begin in earnest until after the national elections in January 2010. But symbolically, yesterday's handoff marks the beginning of a new and conclusive phase more than six years after U.S. forces invaded.
Public opinion long ago showed that a majority of Americans had concluded that the invasion ordered by President George W. Bush was a mistake. Bush's troop increase, which he initiated in early 2007 in the face of much opposition, has been judged successful in contributing to a reduction in violence. But the Bush administration's management of the war in the years between the invasion and the "surge" has been widely judged a failure.
Debate may continue to rage over the war and the roles Bush, Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld played in what became the most politically divisive conflict since Vietnam. Critics remain unforgiving of what that trio did. Defenders think Bush may yet be partially vindicated for seeing the conflict through. But the debate is no longer at the center of American politics. The nation grew weary of Iraq.
As a political issue, Iraq has faded into the background, despite the sizable troop presence that remains there. The war's potency as a flash point in the political debate diminished rapidly in 2008 as the economy went into a tailspin. McCain made little headway in trying to discredit Obama as unready to be commander in chief, and the Arizona Republican's resistance to setting a timetable for withdrawal generated no traction for his candidacy.
Obama's ordered troop withdrawal has stirred little public debate. In part that's because the Iraqis are as anxious for the United States to leave as many Americans are to see the end of the U.S. commitment. Under Obama's plan, combat forces will be gone by the end of August 2010. The remainder of U.S. forces, perhaps as many as 50,000, will leave Iraq by the end of 2011 under an agreement with the Iraqi government.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki signaled his desire to establish a timetable for the departure of U.S. forces last summer. That hastened the ultimate agreement between the two countries. Maliki's statements in recent days, in which he has claimed victory in ending the "occupation" of his country, underscore the mutuality of interest in drastically reducing the U.S. footprint in Iraq, even if his remarks were targeted to his own country.
The fact that yesterday's deadline passed with so little public comment does not negate the fact that it represents the first big test for Obama's policy. In the days leading up to the deadline, there were a series of bombings and attacks, leaving more than 250 people dead. And yesterday, a car bomb in Kirkuk killed more than two dozen people. On Monday, four American soldiers were killed in combat. Iraq is not fully secure.
Administration officials have insisted, and the president reiterated yesterday, that the spike in violence was expected as the handoff took place and insurgents attempted to exploit the transition. Gen. Ray Odierno, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, has publicly expressed his confidence that Iraqi forces can keep their cities secure. Other military leaders have done the same in private to the White House. If they are wrong, there may be questions about what kind of country Americans are preparing to leave behind. Obama could find himself under pressure to adjust the withdrawal timetable.
The president needs a quiet transition in Iraq, given the fullness of his foreign policy agenda. He and his advisers are continuing to wrestle with whether and how to adapt their Iran strategy in the wake of the post-election demonstrations there. Encouraging opponents of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad while trying to engage the Iranian leadership over its nuclear ambitions is more complicated now than it was a few weeks ago.
North Korea remains a dangerous problem, albeit a more straightforward one than Iran. Afghanistan and Pakistan continue to consume the administration's energies, as does the Israeli-Palestinian issue. Obama can only hope that the Iraqi security forces are strong enough to meet their new obligations.
Obama's approval ratings on Iraq are among his highest on any issue he is dealing with. The decision to withdraw, on whatever timetable, the sharp reduction in American casualties and the general war-weariness after six years of involvement there have combined to create a political calm over the issue that so convulsed the country.
Unless there is a spectacular reversal there, what happens in Iraq may play out largely outside the consciousness of the American public, despite the lives lost in the war and the fact that so many troops remain stationed there. Who would have thought that was possible not so very long ago?
by Dan Balz
© 2009 The Washington Post. All rights reserved.
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Michelle Obama tells how her role as the First Lady has changed her perspective.
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See all 64 CommentsRe the troop pullout, I searched all the television news channels on the day of the troop pullout expecting some kind of victory celebration comments, and could find nothing but the endless tabloid mentality coverage of Michael Jackson, etc. I wanted to find some way to say thank you, to you for your article, and to our troops for their sacrifices, and so, for what it's worth, say it here.
I fault, not so much the American public, as the American media, which has been sliding down a slippery slope from real journalism, to "news for the sake of entertainment" ("let them eat cake?")for many years; now, the major "sources," for news seemed to be the social networks. Without Charlie Rose and C-Span, and AP on the Internet, I'm left to watching the BBC to find out what's happening in the world that is not "pop" op.
Tonight, though, watching the 4th of July celebration in Washington D.C., (hardly inspiring), I was still proud (and have traveled and taught in various nations, and may even go to Kurdistan), to be an American. During the Gulf War, we were able to write to people in the military, simply by addressing a letter to "any soldier;" I did this, and within a month was corresponding with U.S. men and women in Navy, Army, Marines, Air Force and even the Coast Guard. I wish I could have done the same with those serving in Iraq, and now, Afghanistan. It is well to remember, I think, as we celebrate our own Independence Day, and to remind those who would prefer the sort of isolation in the U.S. that allowed the Nazis to march into Paris, and Hirohito to bomb Pearl Harbor before we cared enough about Europe to get involved, that we were assisted in our own struggle for independence the valient French. It is well for those you are young, and for those who have no vision for the future, to realize the same British we fought against then, are our Allies, as are the countries of Japan and Germany from another War, and that no country today is living under the forced rule of the Swaztika. I've lived through it all and I wish I could tell our U.S. military buddies and allies, as well as the courageous people of these countries we try to assist, on their pathway to their own independence days, that this sacrifice is at least witnessed by one person, and appreciated. (and by many, I assure you, who are actively working within their own communities and their nations, and not writing trivia on these blog pages). Thanks again for the article, and thanks to our men and women, their allies and courageous nationals. The future will vindicate them all....claudia
Re the troop pullout, I searched all the television news channels on the day of the troop pullout expecting some kind of victory celebration comments, and could find nothing but the endless tabloid mentality coverage of Michael Jackson, etc. I wanted to find some way to say thank you, to you for your article, and to our troops for their sacrifices, and so, for what it's worth, say it here.
I fault, not so much the American public, as the American media, which has been sliding down a slippery slope from real journalism, to "news for the sake of entertainment" ("let them eat cake?")for many years; now, the major "sources," for news seemed to be the social networks. Without Charlie Rose and C-Span, and AP on the Internet, I'm left to watching the BBC to find out what's happening in the world that is not "pop" op.
Tonight, though, watching the 4th of July celebration in Washington D.C., (hardly inspiring), I was still proud (and have traveled and taught in various nations, and may even go to Kurdistan), to be an American. During the Gulf War, we were able to write to people in the military, simply by addressing a letter to "any soldier;" I did this, and within a month was corresponding with U.S. men and women in Navy, Army, Marines, Air Force and even the Coast Guard. I wish I could have done the same with those serving in Iraq, and now, Afghanistan. It is well to remember, I think, as we celebrate our own Independence Day, and to remind those who would prefer the sort of isolation in the U.S. that allowed the Nazis to march into Paris, and Hirohito to bomb Pearl Harbor before we cared enough about Europe to get involved, that we were assisted in our own struggle for independence the valient French. It is well for those you are young, and for those who have no vision for the future, to realize the same British we fought against then, are our Allies, as are the countries of Japan and Germany from another War, and that no country today is living under the forced rule of the Swaztika. I've lived through it all and I wish I could tell our U.S. military buddies and allies, as well as the courageous people of these countries we try to assist, on their pathway to their own independence days, that this sacrifice is at least witnessed by one person, and appreciated. (and by many, I assure you, who are actively working within their own communities and their nations, and not writing trivia on these blog pages). Thanks again for the article, and thanks to our men and women, their allies and courageous nationals. The future will vindicate them all....claudia
It says it "will not BEGIN in earnest" until then. The troops aren't supposed to be out until the END of 2011.
I agree with you. I joined this CBS thread in order to comment on Dan's article, then was astonished and appalled (as I was on Cnn's Ireport, and even the Organizing for America blog, at the absolute ignorance and triviality expressed here; I wish most of these "writers" would would stay with my space.
Re the troop pullout, I searched all the television news channels on the day of the troop pullout expecting some kind of victory celebration comments, and could find nothing but the endless tabloid mentality coverage of Michael Jackson, etc. I wanted to find some way to say thank you, to you for your article, and to our troops for their sacrifices, and so, for what it's worth, say it here.
I fault, not so much the American public, as the American media, which has been sliding down a slippery slope from real journalism, to "news for the sake of entertainment" ("let them eat cake?")for many years; now, the major "sources," for news seemed to be the social networks. Without Charlie Rose and C-Span, and AP on the Internet, I'm left to watching the BBC to find out what's happening in the world that is not "pop" op.
Tonight, though, watching the 4th of July celebration in Washington D.C., (hardly inspiring), I was still proud (and have traveled and taught in various nations, and may even go to Kurdistan), to be an American. During the Gulf War, we were able to write to people in the military, simply by addressing a letter to "any soldier;" I did this, and within a month was corresponding with U.S. men and women in Navy, Army, Marines, Air Force and even the Coast Guard. I wish I could have done the same with those serving in Iraq, and now, Afghanistan. It is well to remember, I think, as we celebrate our own Independence Day, and to remind those who would prefer the sort of isolation in the U.S. that allowed the Nazis to march into Paris, and Hirohito to bomb Pearl Harbor before we cared enough about Europe to get involved, that we were assisted in our own struggle for independence the valient French. It is well for those you are young, and for those who have no vision for the future, to realize the same British we fought against then, are our Allies, as are the countries of Japan and Germany from another War, and that no country today is living under the forced rule of the Swaztika. I've lived through it all and I wish I could tell our U.S. military buddies and allies, as well as the courageous people of these countries we try to assist, on their pathway to their own independence days, that this sacrifice is at least witnessed by one person, and appreciated. (and by many, I assure you, who are actively working within their own communities and their nations, and not writing trivia on these blog pages). Thanks again for the article, and thanks to our men and women, their allies and courageous nationals. The future will vindicate them all....claudia
grose.
That would be "gross".
You don't need to thank me, I'm just returning the favor. : )
How in the world can he know whether or not the forces will fail? At any rate, this war on terror was doomed from the start simply because you can't win a war like this unless you go all the way and blow them off the map. There's no way the UN would allow that, so we should have just stayed out in the first place and launched an all out search for Osama Bin Laden. I am glad that the sniveling coward Saddam Hussein in history though. The article talks about how there seems to be a difference in the public opinion now vs last year during the elections. I think during the elections, there are many hot button issues that the candidates use to get votes, you don't hear anymore about illegal immigration now that Obama is in either. That was a hot topic at least at the beginning. Most Americans still feel the same about financially supporting Mexicans from within our own borders but no one is paying any attention to the promises made now! What's the point with Obama in the White House? Socialism for everyone....what will happen when he runs out of our money?
Sad to say the man who took over from the Cheney crime family is forced to play along with the game. You can bet for sure that American military force will continue either open or covert to insure that western big oil remains in Iraq.
Yes.
And media outlets like the Washington Post didn't help that fact.
"by gramps1941
The liberation of Iraq has become non newsworthy because it is no longer a bludgeon for mainstream broadcast media and the radical left to beat on a Republican Administration"
Wrong GRAMPS, wake up and smell the coffee, this isn't WW2 and our being attacked by Japan, this was an illegal invasion of another country on a Tonkin Bay style LIE to the tune of $10 Billion a month for 6 years. People are indifferent now because its been a freaking DAILY news item 24/7/365 for SIX FREAKING YEARS!!! we're sick and tired of hearing about Iraq!!!!!!!!! Were sick of spending TEN BILLION DOLLARS A MONTH on a kraphole that hates our guts while our schools, roads, bridges, economy, jobs and everything else falls apart.
What a bunch of hooey. Removing troops from the cities now "completely" obligates the Iraqis to run their own show, as it should be and that, for all practical purposes is a withdrawal. The vast majority of insurgent and illegal activities occurs there. Although I see very little to give me much confidence, I certainly hope the Iraqi government steps up to the plate and does right by its people.
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Forget Iraq??? I sure hope not. Americans need to be reminded every day of the price paid in blood and treasure to fight worthless, meaningless wars like these.
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Maybe someday we'll again have a citizenry and a government that understand the United States Constitution. Meanwhile, we'll continue to blunder into these wars out of some moronic belief that it's Americas 'destiny' to save the world from itself.
and to land troops permanently in Iraq so big oils' vital interests are protected.
The idea that Iraq had Weapons of Mass Destruction is ludicrous and we had already known that none existed, the weapons inspectors were ignored, an American CIA agent (Valerie Plame) was exposed because her ambassador husband reported that no radioactive material was being sold to Iraq which President Bush/Cheney asserted even knowing it was not true.
During that time, the telecommunications industry conspired with the President and Vice to spy on Americans. That was clearly illegal, which congress in all its great wisdom made legal...I'll never trust government again for it.
The CIA and military had started kidnapping citizens from around the globe and renditioning them around without due process.
Spain has a case which an innocent civilian was tortured.
The CIA admitted destroying tapes ordered by judgment to produce.
Waterboarding somehow became legal after 100 years.
The former goverment redefined many terms used in our language and called it interpretation to justify its illegal acts against the constitution.
And to this day, NOBODY HAS EXPLAINED HOW ANY OF THE WTC BUILDINGS WERE BROUGHT DOWN BY JETLINERS WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DO. THERE SIMPLY WAS NOT ENOUGH ENERGY TO DO THAT WITHOUT INSIDE HELP. BUILDING 7, 300 YARDS AWAY FELL TOO. THAT WAS A HARDENED BUILDING WITH CIA, FBI, AND EMERGENCY OFFICES....CONSPIRACY IS FACT.
Have we forgotten Iraq? Maybe. If so, does that mean we can remember America and put focus on that. Has the time come when we take a break from saving the world and begin to save ourselves?
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IrishWench, how are you? Since "saving the world" is a foundation of Liberalism, I don't see a break anytime soon....what's bothers me, is we have millions to send to Hamas controlled Gaza, but still no middle class tax cut in sight...nothing....it was all empty campaign promise....now it's looking like the 250,000 threshhold is crumbling now too....cap and trade taxes everyone....so where are we "saving ourselves" ? wasting trillions and calling it stimulation..is that saving us ? I doubt it.
Anyway, Hope you are enjoying Summer in Colorado !~
I am well Joe and hope you are also. Summer in Colo. is wonderful. We had lots of rain so it is very lush and beautiful right now. I'm still working hard at my new job and on my home remodeling. Kids got to go to Northern California for 3 weeks, so I'm on my own for a bit. I'm very happy they were able to go, but miss them already :-)
I hope everything is going well in your life. I do miss the old format and being able to find and catch-up with my board buddies.
Take Care!
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