Iraqi lawmakers demand U.S. troops withdraw after Trump's surprise visit

[enhanced_deficit]

Who will take care of security of our closest allies Israel, Saudi dictatorship etc if US troops left Iraq/Syria & the region ?


Iraqi lawmakers demand U.S. troops withdraw after Trump's surprise visit

President Donald Trump visited troops at the al-Asad Air Base on Christmas but failed to meet with Iraqi officials

Dec. 27, 2018 / 7:09 AM EST
By Associated Press
BAGHDAD — Iraqi lawmakers are seizing on President Donald Trump's surprise visit to demand U.S. forces leave the country.
Politicians from both sides of Iraq's political divide are calling on parliament to vote to expel U.S. troops. Approximately 5,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Iraq as part of the coalition against the Islamic State group.
Trump's previously unannounced trip came at a time of change in the region following the president's announcement earlier this month that he will withdraw American troops from Syria — a heavily criticized move that prompted the resignation of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/i...rump-s-n952226




Related

AW: Trump Admits U.S. Troops in Middle East are for Israel
Published November 28th, 2018
https://www.albawaba.com/news/trump-...israel-1219252

[UWDude]

Cool. Trump just might do it.

[shakey1]

[Origanalist]

[enhanced_deficit]

Elsewhere:

U.S. withdrawal from Syria hurts Israel and helps Erdogan, Shaked says

While "the US President is a great friend of Israel," Shaked said, "this step does not help Israel and strengthens Erdogan, who is an antisemite."

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
December 23, 2018 08:43
Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked called US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw American troops from Syria "bad for Israel" and strengthens Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in an interview with Army Radio on Sunday morning.





Israel confounded, confused by Syria withdrawal, Mattis resignation

By Franco Ordoñez
December 21, 2018 04:51 PM,
Updated December 23, 2018 08:27 AM

President Donald Trump shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the United Nations General Assembly, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018, at U.N. Headquarters. Evan Vucci AP Photo

WASHINGTON The abrupt resignation of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has left Israel, America’s closest ally in the Middle East, confounded as it comes to grips with the even greater implications of the U.S. military withdrawal from Syria that prompted Mattis’s departure.

Combined with the departures of Chief of Staff John Kelly and Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, Israeli officials are scrambling to determine who is left in the White House who can convince President Donald Trump to think of Israel before taking such drastic security moves, as Mattis successfully did in the past, U.S. and Israeli officials said.
“There is no question that Israeli officials are concerned about the U.S. pulling out,” said Dan Shapiro, U.S. ambassador to Israel in the Obama administration. “It was done without any meaningful consultation with them.”

https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nat...223431805.html

[UWDude]

Poor Israel. All we do is give them billions of dollars a year.
We are a nation of anti-semtic mini-hitlers.
We need to be giving them trillions.
#AshamedToBeAmerican

[nikcers]

I don't think they understand what Trump meant when he said he was going to take the oil. They are going to be in for a rough surprise.

[Swordsmyth]

In recent weeks, pro-Iran parties have organised protests to demand an accelerated US troop withdrawal while affiliated media outlets published footage of alleged US reinforcements in Iraq's restive west and north.
The debate is heating up in parliament as well.
Last week a lawmaker demanded Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi provide a written explanation for the ongoing US military presence in Iraq and a timeframe for their stay.
MPs are also drafting a law that would set a deadline for a US withdrawal, according to Mahmud al-Rubaie of the Sadiqun bloc, one of the political groups working on the text.
"We categorically reject the presence of foreign troops in Iraq," Rubaie told AFP.

More at: https://news.yahoo.com/iraq-politica...035729194.html

[enhanced_deficit]

In recent weeks, pro-Iran parties have organised protests to demand an accelerated US troop withdrawal while affiliated media outlets published footage of alleged US reinforcements in Iraq's restive west and north.
The debate is heating up in parliament as well.
Last week a lawmaker demanded Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi provide a written explanation for the ongoing US military presence in Iraq and a timeframe for their stay.
MPs are also drafting a law that would set a deadline for a US withdrawal, according to Mahmud al-Rubaie of the Sadiqun bloc, one of the political groups working on the text.
"We categorically reject the presence of foreign troops in Iraq," Rubaie told AFP.

More at: https://news.yahoo.com/iraq-politica...035729194.html

Just thinking out of box here, to counter such pro-Iran initiatves by Iraq for US-exit, should pro-Israel lobbies n US lobby POTUS to stay in Iraq to counter Iranian influence since Israel currently doesn't have lobbies in Iraq? W Bush had invited Iran into Iraq to get their help in getting rid of Saddam.

Other option could be to follow Syria model in Iraq also; US should plan Iraq exit and Israeli military takes ownership of handling Iranian influence in Iraq?

Breaking: Israel airstrikes against 'Iranian' targets in Syria


Although highly influential Bolton or Adelson might veto US Iraq exit plan even if America-First POTUS wanted to exit Iraq.






Related






Telegraph: Thanks to Blair/Bush, Christianity facing extinction in Iraq

[Stratovarious]

Who will take care of security of our closest allies Israel, Saudi dictatorship etc if US troops left Iraq/Syria & the region ?


...

E D
Is this sarcasm?
Just asking.

[enhanced_deficit]

Well part of it was sarcasm but part of it was also realism/presenting interests and objectives of deep pocket lobbies that fund many politicians of both parties. We can't be complete purists and completely ignore their interests and influence on America-First leaders.

[Stratovarious]

http://factcheckingturkey.com/domest...nti-semite-489
Turkey's Erdogan, is often characterized as being anti semite.
-
If there is hatred between Muslims and Jews, in my view it is
largely due to deeds not just ethnicity, however both groups are
two sides of the same coin;
Narcissistic , self inclusive, racists, that believe that they
are God's chosen, destined to rule, and carry out their own
renditions of God's plan for humanity.

[Stratovarious]

None of what takes place in the Middle East is our business, time to
take care of our own and stop meddling and manipulating, we are responsible
for a million civilian deaths in Iraq, if we want to continue our role as
world police, and butchers in foreign lands, we need to amend the constitution.

[enhanced_deficit]

Turkey's Erdogan, is often characterized as being anti semite.
-
If there is hatred between Muslims and Jews, in my view it is
largely due to deeds not just ethnicity, however both groups are
two sides of the same coin;

Well Erdogan, though lately has become MAGA's friend on Syria policy allegedly, he has been making very strong statements against Jewish state since end of Iraqi freedom war/Gaza war.

Erdogan again likens Israel to Nazi Germany, says it commits ‘cultural genocide’

At Jerusalem conference in Istanbul, Turkish president says it’s not anti-Semitic to call out Israel: ‘No one can stop us from calling a spade a spade’
By Raphael Ahren 15 December 2018

Tend to agree witth the part that religion is often the cover story for other material/tribal interests,deeds based conflicts etc. Muslims and Jews have a lot in common and appear to be cousins looking at various religious rituals, eye for an eye concept ( as opposed to Christianity's turn the other cheek). There was a shocking poll while ago claiming that US Jews feared Evangelical Christians more than Muslims.

Incidentally, in mideast, Arab Christians have been the biggest victim of recent wars:

Telegraph: Thanks to Blair/Bush, Christianity facing extinction in Iraq




Related

US evangelicals' warning to Trump over Syria exit

[Stratovarious]

Well Erdogan, though lately has become MAGA's friend on Syria policy allegedly, he has been making very strong statements against Jewish state since end of Iraqi freedom war/Gaza war.




Tend to agree witth the part that religion is often the cover story for other material/tribal interests,deeds based conflicts etc. Muslims and Jews have a lot in common and appear to be cousins looking at various religious rituals, eye for an eye concept ( as opposed to Christianity's turn the other cheek). There was a shocking poll while ago claiming that US Jews feared Evangelical Christians more than Muslims.

Incidentally, in mideast, Arab Christians have been the biggest victim of recent wars:

Telegraph: Thanks to Blair/Bush, Christianity facing extinction in Iraq




Related

US evangelicals' warning to Trump over Syria exit

Good points, I was unaware of the Arab Christian plight.
-
Israel has been playing out of a two card deck for the last 74
years;
ANTI SEMITE
HOLOCAUST
It's really a pair of aces though , one that often tends
to be viewed as beating a Royale Flush.


-
We have all been persecuted, every race, color, and creed.
Today it's almost fashionable to persecute Christians,
and Genocide of White Farmers in Africa is ignored.
The jews butchered 60 million Christians during the
Bolshevik Revolution, the Japanese were worse than
Hitler, to the Chinese WWII , Slavery of whites historically
dwarfs US slavery of Blacks, we have to reexamine
just who we are appointing or could we say 'anointing'
to write history for us. 'Two Cards'

[shakey1]

None of what takes place in the Middle East is our business, time to
take care of our own and stop meddling and manipulating, we are responsible
for a million civilian deaths in Iraq, if we want to continue our role as
world police, and butchers in foreign lands, we need to amend the constitution.

I'm sure there are plenty of hawks in DC that would be willing to do just that.

[Stratovarious]

I'm sure there are plenty of hawks in DC that would be willing to do just that.

Right, I better not give them any ideas......

[Swordsmyth]

Iraqi President Barham Salih said on Monday that President Donald Trump did not ask Iraq's permission for U.S. troops stationed there to "watch Iran."Speaking at a forum in Baghdad, Salih was responding to a question about Trump's comments to CBS about how he would ask troops stationed in Iraq to "watch" Iran.
U.S. troops in Iraq are there as part of an agreement between the two countries with a specific mission of combating terrorism, Salih said, and that they should stick to that.

"Don't overburden Iraq with your own issues," Salih said. "The U.S. is a major power ... but do not pursue your own policy priorities, we live here."

"It is of fundamental interest for Iraq to have good relations with Iran" and other neighboring countries, Salih said.

More at: https://www.yahoo.com/news/iraqi-pre...065407875.html

[enhanced_deficit]

15 Years After U.S. Invasion, Some Iraqis Are Nostalgic For Saddam Hussein Era

Jane Arraf
The Shorja market in central Baghdad, bustling in early April, was targeted in attacks in 2007.

Sabah Arar/AFP/Getty Images

Gen. Nijm al-Jabouri at Saddam Hussein's former palace compound in Mosul, where he is in charge of Mosul security. In 2003, he thought the new Iraq would be orderly, liberal and secular. "We thought we would breathe freedom, we would become like Europe," he says. Instead, he says, "We returned to the Dark Ages."
Jane Arraf/NPR

"As an officer, I had a dream to travel outside of Iraq," he says, sitting in a garden in Saddam Hussein's former palace complex in Mosul. "Sometimes I would go to Ibrahim Khalil gate just to see outside Iraq — to see whether the ground outside Iraq was different from inside Iraq."

For almost every Iraqi, the past 15 years have been full of unimaginable twists and turns. Jabouri is still an Iraqi general, but now he oversees security in Mosul and controls Saddam's former compound. His first trip outside his country wasn't to neighboring Turkey but to the United States.

https://www.npr.org/sections/paralle...am-hussein-era




Related

EXCLUSIVE: British army permitted shooting of civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan
Soldiers who served in Basra in 2007 say they were told they could shoot anyone holding a phone or a shovel, or acting in any way suspiciously
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/e...nd-afghanistan

[shakey1]

15 Years After U.S. Invasion, Some Iraqis Are Nostalgic For Saddam Hussein Era

Jane Arraf
The Shorja market in central Baghdad, bustling in early April, was targeted in attacks in 2007.

Sabah Arar/AFP/Getty Images

Gen. Nijm al-Jabouri at Saddam Hussein's former palace compound in Mosul, where he is in charge of Mosul security. In 2003, he thought the new Iraq would be orderly, liberal and secular. "We thought we would breathe freedom, we would become like Europe," he says. Instead, he says, "We returned to the Dark Ages."
Jane Arraf/NPR

"As an officer, I had a dream to travel outside of Iraq," he says, sitting in a garden in Saddam Hussein's former palace complex in Mosul. "Sometimes I would go to Ibrahim Khalil gate just to see outside Iraq — to see whether the ground outside Iraq was different from inside Iraq."

For almost every Iraqi, the past 15 years have been full of unimaginable twists and turns. Jabouri is still an Iraqi general, but now he oversees security in Mosul and controls Saddam's former compound. His first trip outside his country wasn't to neighboring Turkey but to the United States.

https://www.npr.org/sections/paralle...am-hussein-era




Related

EXCLUSIVE: British army permitted shooting of civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan
Soldiers who served in Basra in 2007 say they were told they could shoot anyone holding a phone or a shovel, or acting in any way suspiciously
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/e...nd-afghanistan

He was a colorful character.

[Swordsmyth]

Iraq's most senior Shiite cleric on Wednesday joined a chorus of Iraqi politicians and clerics criticizing recent statements by President Donald Trump in which he said U.S. troops should stay in Iraq to keep an eye on neighboring Iran.Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani said Iraq aspires to have "good and balanced relations" with all of its neighbors "based on mutual interests and without intervention in internal affairs."
Iraq "rejects being a launching pad for harming any other country," he said during a meeting with U.N. Iraq envoy Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert at the cleric's base in Najaf.
Both Iraq's president and prime minister have hit back at Trump's statements to U.S. media this week stating that U.S. troops should stay at a base in Iraq so that America can "watch Iran."


U.S. forces withdrew from Iraq in 2011, but returned in 2014 at the invitation of the government to help battle the Islamic State group after it seized vast areas in the north and west of the country, including Iraq's second largest city, Mosul. A U.S.-led coalition provided crucial air support as Iraqi forces regrouped and drove IS out in a costly three-year campaign.
Now, after defeating IS militants in their last urban bastions, Iraqi politicians and militia leaders are increasingly speaking out against the continued presence of U.S. forces on Iraqi soil. Some Iraqi lawmakers are working on a draft bill calling for the withdrawal of the more than 5,000 U.S. troops from the country.
Trump first said he wants to keep troops in Iraq as a base to strike at IS in Syria, then said the troops were needed to monitor Iran — comments that are likely to give momentum to opponents of the U.S. presence in Iraq.

More at: https://news.yahoo.com/top-iraqi-cle...114045215.html

Congress can't complain if the throw us out.

The same tactic may be being used in Korea:


South Korea says troop talks deadlocked as U.S. demands 'unacceptable' funding increase

[Swordsmyth]

https://twitter.com/RubaAlHassani/st...37604680192000

Hat Tip: GoldenEquity

[acptulsa]

https://twitter.com/RubaAlHassani/st...37604680192000

Hat Tip: GoldenEquity

Oh, he could start Gulf War III and people would still deny he's just another Bush.

[Swordsmyth]

Oh, he could start Gulf War III and people would still deny he's just another Bush.

Or he could get us kicked out of Iraq on purpose so that the Neocons can't attack him for pulling out.

[acptulsa]

Or he could get us kicked out of Iraq on purpose so that the Neocons can't attack him for pulling out.

What would stop them from attacking him for pulling out? Did they suddenly develop respect for other nations' sovereignty?

Sorry, that move ain't ready for 3D chess.

[Swordsmyth]

What would stop them from attacking him for pulling out? Did they suddenly develop respect for other nations' sovereignty?

They must give it some lip service and he can say that we have enough to deal with already in all the other places they want us to intervene.

[acptulsa]

They must give it some lip service ...

LOL

You act like Republican voters are capable of holding Republican politicians to Republican principles. Never happens, and the only reasons neocons exist is because they know this.

[unknown]

15 Years After U.S. Invasion, Some Iraqis Are Nostalgic For Saddam Hussein Era

Jane Arraf
The Shorja market in central Baghdad, bustling in early April, was targeted in attacks in 2007.

Sabah Arar/AFP/Getty Images

Gen. Nijm al-Jabouri at Saddam Hussein's former palace compound in Mosul, where he is in charge of Mosul security. In 2003, he thought the new Iraq would be orderly, liberal and secular. "We thought we would breathe freedom, we would become like Europe," he says. Instead, he says, "We returned to the Dark Ages."
Jane Arraf/NPR

"As an officer, I had a dream to travel outside of Iraq," he says, sitting in a garden in Saddam Hussein's former palace complex in Mosul. "Sometimes I would go to Ibrahim Khalil gate just to see outside Iraq — to see whether the ground outside Iraq was different from inside Iraq."

For almost every Iraqi, the past 15 years have been full of unimaginable twists and turns. Jabouri is still an Iraqi general, but now he oversees security in Mosul and controls Saddam's former compound. His first trip outside his country wasn't to neighboring Turkey but to the United States.

https://www.npr.org/sections/paralle...am-hussein-era




Related

EXCLUSIVE: British army permitted shooting of civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan
Soldiers who served in Basra in 2007 say they were told they could shoot anyone holding a phone or a shovel, or acting in any way suspiciously
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/e...nd-afghanistan

ROE my $#@!ing ass.

[AngryCanadian]

15 Years After U.S. Invasion, Some Iraqis Are Nostalgic For Saddam Hussein Era

"We thought we would breathe freedom, we would become like Europe," he says. Instead, he says, "We returned to the Dark Ages."

In Five years from now we would be hearing the same from the Libyans about gaddafi to.

[enhanced_deficit]

Based on recent media reports, withdrawl will not be approved by final deciders.