Iraqi freedom war taking a U-turn?


Iraq, Iran push back on U.S. defense chief over Ramadi loss

Sameer N. Yacoub and Nasser Karimi, The Associated Press 12:31 p.m. EDT May 25, 2015

(Photo: Ahmad al-Rubaye, AFP/Getty Images)

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq and Iran pushed back Monday against U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter's criticisms over the fall of Ramadi to the Islamic State group, with an Iranian general going as far as saying America had "no will" to fight the extremists.


In Iran, the daily newspaper Javan, which is seen as close to the Revolutionary Guard, quoted Soleimani as saying the U.S. didn't do a "damn thing" to stop the extremists' advance on Ramadi.
"Does it mean anything else than being an accomplice in the plot?" he reportedly asked, later saying the U.S. showed "no will" in fighting the Islamic State, also known as ISIL or ISIS.

Soleimani said Iran and its allies are the only forces that can deal with the threat.
"Today, there is nobody in confrontation with (the Islamic State) except the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as nations who are next to Iran or supported by Iran," he said.

USA TODAY
Voices: Why control of Ramadi matters
U.S. officials, including Carter, have said Iraqi forces fled the Islamic State advance on Ramadi without fighting back, leaving behind weapons and vehicles for the extremists. So far, the American approach to the conflict has been to launch airstrikes as part of an international coalition it leads, as well as equipping and training Iraqi forces.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/w...myra/27912633/



U.S. calls fall of Ramadi 'very serious'
http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/20/politi...sey/index.html


Iraq Coalition Casualties: Military Fatalities in Ramadi
http://www.icasualties.org/Iraq/Fatalities.aspx


After Fall Of Ramadi, Iraqi Troops Hope For More U.S. Support
May 25, 2015 4:30 PM ET
http://www.npr.org/2015/05/25/409531...re-u-s-support



US | Mon May 25, 2015 5:42pm EDT
Obama heralds first U.S. Memorial Day without ground war in 14 years

ARLINGTON, Va.
President Barack Obama heralded the first U.S. Memorial Day in 14 years without a major ground war in an annual ceremony of remembrance on Monday for fallen American forces.

In remarks at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, Obama paid tribute to U.S. military personnel who served in conflicts such as World War Two as well as the more recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which he wound down as commander in chief.
"For many of us, this Memorial Day is especially meaningful. It is the first since our war in Afghanistan came to an end," Obama said. "Today is the first Memorial Day in 14 years that the United States is not engaged in a major ground war."
As a Democratic presidential candidate in 2008, Obama sharply criticized the war in Iraq launched by his Republican predecessor, former President George W. Bush.
U.S. forces are now involved in air campaigns against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria as well as training missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. The president has been reluctant to relaunch ground operations in Iraq.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/...0OA1C920150525

Understandably, no citation of drones war/bomb drops from air and only cited "ground war".