Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Task force to set pace of pullout
The Washington Times ^ | 07/30/05 | Rowan Scarborough

Posted on 07/29/2005 11:49:02 PM PDT by smoothsailing

The Pentagon plans to set up a task force of senior U.S. and Iraqi officials that will set conditions for withdrawing substantial numbers of American troops from Iraq next year, U.S. officials said yesterday.

Up to this point, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld has said he would make such an important decision based on recommendations from his two main commanders in the region, Gen. John Abizaid of U.S. Central Command and Gen. George Casey Jr., who runs operations in Iraq. He will also consult with Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: dod; georgecasey; iraq; oif; rowanscarborough; timetable; troopwithdrawal
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-27 next last

1 posted on 07/29/2005 11:49:03 PM PDT by smoothsailing
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: smoothsailing

We'll be out in two years or less and may have to take on Iran.


2 posted on 07/29/2005 11:50:57 PM PDT by A CA Guy (God Bless America, God bless and keep safe our fighting men and women.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Comment #3 Removed by Moderator

To: texasborderhunt
predict that an American soldier will never set foot in Iran. If you think that Iraq is tough, Iran will be five times harder to control.


Actually no it would not. Iran is Persian not Arab plus, like Afghanistan, but not Iraq, the average Iranian has lived under the rule of the Mullahs. And from a strictly Military viewpoint, Iraq has not "Been tough" at all.
4 posted on 07/30/2005 12:00:53 AM PDT by MNJohnnie ( Iraq is a Terrorist bug hotel, Terrorists go in, they do not come out.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: texasborderhunt
predict that an American soldier will never set foot in Iran. If you think that Iraq is tough, Iran will be five times harder to control.


Actually no it would not. Iran is Persian not Arab plus, like Afghanistan, but not Iraq, the average Iranian has lived under the rule of the Mullahs. And from a strictly Military viewpoint, Iraq has not "Been tough" at all.
5 posted on 07/30/2005 12:01:01 AM PDT by MNJohnnie ( Iraq is a Terrorist bug hotel, Terrorists go in, they do not come out.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: A CA Guy
I won't be surprised if what you say occurs.

Based on what I learn from my nephew in Iraq and the internet news,the situation is brighter and further along than the gloom and doom fed to us by the msm.

6 posted on 07/30/2005 12:02:59 AM PDT by smoothsailing (Qui Nhon Turtle Co.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

Comment #7 Removed by Moderator

To: texasborderhunt

Iran has been getting worse the last few years. The people have been mostly talking planned terrorism from what I've heard from recent visitors who were there.
It doesn't help that the new President is a hostage taker who has ordered the death of leaders in Europe and Asia as well.

This person I heard from who was born there, but isn't a Muslim said the last trip scared them and they said we will be at war with them soon.

I believe that as well.


8 posted on 07/30/2005 12:05:39 AM PDT by A CA Guy (God Bless America, God bless and keep safe our fighting men and women.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

Comment #9 Removed by Moderator

Comment #10 Removed by Moderator

To: smoothsailing
Based on what I learn from my nephew in Iraq and the internet news,the situation is brighter and further along than the gloom and doom fed to us by the msm.

Absolutely true. It ain't over yet, not by a long stretch, but the Iraq we see on TV and the Iraq in which I have resided for the last year and a half barely resemble each other.

Iraq will be a success and it'll get to the point where the MSM won't be able to cover that up anymore. They sure are working hard at it now, though and they're depserately trying to get a civil war going here. The MSM has been trying to do that for well over a year now.

11 posted on 07/30/2005 12:14:06 AM PDT by Allegra (Less Than 20 Days Until R&R - W'HOOOO!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: texasborderhunt
I bet your nephew isn't in Baghdad.

I am. And I stand by what I say in my previous post.

12 posted on 07/30/2005 12:15:05 AM PDT by Allegra (Less Than 20 Days Until R&R - W'HOOOO!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: texasborderhunt
When we went into Iraq, much of the countries utilities were in decent order for Middle East standards. Iran is a country that is three times the size of Iraq and has had a regime that has turned the clock around on the technological advancement. We can only contain Iran, not invade it.

I disagree. I think Iran would be even easier then Iraq because of the mess the Mullahs have made of the country. In Iraq our presents, in the short term, made the day to day lives of the average Iraqs worse. I honestly do not know why the planners were hitting electric and water sanitation sites with air strikers during Iraqi Freedom. In Iran, like Afghanistan, the average Iranian would see significant improvement right from the start of a US occupation which would make thing easier for the occupation forces.

However, I think we both can agree that we hope we never have to find out which of us is right about Iran.
13 posted on 07/30/2005 12:15:30 AM PDT by MNJohnnie ( Iraq is a Terrorist bug hotel, Terrorists go in, they do not come out.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: texasborderhunt
"bet your nephew isn't in Baghdad. Iraq is always going to be dangerous, what is possible is that Iraq will become another Saudi Arabia. All we can ask is that the Iraqis protect our entrepreneurs, otherwise Iraq will be as strict as Saudi Arabia, and thats not peachy."

Welcome to Free Republic. How much time do you have in Iraq?
14 posted on 07/30/2005 12:17:41 AM PDT by MNJohnnie ( Iraq is a Terrorist bug hotel, Terrorists go in, they do not come out.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Allegra

bet your nephew isn't in Baghdad.

"I am. And I stand by what I say in my previous post"


God Bless Allegra. Again, thank you for your service. Hope your employers are treating you well.


15 posted on 07/30/2005 12:20:26 AM PDT by MNJohnnie ( Iraq is a Terrorist bug hotel, Terrorists go in, they do not come out.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: MNJohnnie; texasborderhunt
Welcome to Free Republic. How much time do you have in Iraq?

LOL. I suspect we may have another "doom-gloom-quagmire-I-love-CNN-blah-blah-blah-my-glass-is-always-half-empty" among us?

16 posted on 07/30/2005 12:22:09 AM PDT by Allegra (Less Than 20 Days Until R&R - W'HOOOO!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: texasborderhunt
You're right,he's not in Baghdad.

As far as Iraq always being dangerous,of course.The question that concerns me is,will Iraq be a reliable ally in the region as time passes.

The answer to that is unknowable at this point.

17 posted on 07/30/2005 12:25:02 AM PDT by smoothsailing (Qui Nhon Turtle Co.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

Comment #18 Removed by Moderator

To: texasborderhunt
That is a very good point, i try to look at all positive aspects of the issue. The real question is if we have the resources to organize Iran for 7 years, instead of 3 in Iraq.



From a military stand point. Yes. From a political stand point.....I don't know. I would of thought after 9-11 we did but am not sure we have the discipline for it. I cannot for the life of me understand what the Democrat Leaders think they gain by actively undercutting US National Security. You would think they would be smart enough to say "Hey Look, we cannot win the on the Iraq issue. We better focus on the Domestic Agenda and say nothing about National Security" But NO instead everyone from Kerry to Kennedy to Durbin to Biden to Clinton are actively undercutting our efforts for what they perceive is a domestic political gain. With this absolute inability to put National Interest ahead of partisan interest infecting so much of our "News media" and political leadership, I just do not know if we have the political will power to actually do what we must to win.
19 posted on 07/30/2005 12:32:38 AM PDT by MNJohnnie ( Iraq is a Terrorist bug hotel, Terrorists go in, they do not come out.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: texasborderhunt

Iran will have to play the first deadly move, only then will we reciprocate.


20 posted on 07/30/2005 12:34:25 AM PDT by endthematrix ("an ominous vacancy"...I mean, JOHN ROBERTS now fills this space!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-27 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson