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Obama Needs to Shift Iraq Strategy

Surge has made total withdrawal impractical; Dem's advisers have plan

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 30, 2008 1:17 PM CDT

(Newser) – “There will be no such thing as victory in Iraq,” George Packer writes in the New Yorker, “but the next President, if he remains nimble, may be able to keep the damage under control.” Packer argues that the dramatic improvement since the surge poses a problem for Barack Obama, whose proposal to withdraw troops in 16 months helped him seal the nomination, but is outdated.

A strategy of “conditional engagement" advocated by Obama's close advisers couples troop draw-downs with political progress in Iraq and a more assertive approach to regional diplomacy, to avoid squandering gains. "The same pragmatism that prompted him last month to forgo public financing of his campaign will surely lead him, if he becomes president, to recalibrate his stance on Iraq," Packer writes. "The question is whether Obama will publicly change course before November."

Obama boards a plane. (AP Photo)

A soldier stands guard as an Iraqi woman receives prescriptions at a medical clinic. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)

U.S. Army soldiers begin a foot patrol in the village of Zaganiyah, about 35 miles northeast of Baghdad. (AP Photo)

Obama speaks at a conference. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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Obama Needs to Shift Iraq Strategy

Surge has made total withdrawal impractical; Dem's advisers have plan

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Maliki Pegs Obama as the Most Pliant: Krauthammer

Iraq PM thinks Dem can be manipulated, writes Krauthammer

Best Iraq Policy Would Mix Mac, Obama Plans

Friedman: Timetable is a political must, but with a little wiggle room

Voters Split on Candidates' Iraq Stances: Poll

Poll score: Obama 50%, McCain 49%

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Candidate makes position crystal clear

Obama Sways GOP on Iraq, Loses Dems

McCain backs plan; Pelosi thinks leaving 50K is too many

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Obama Needs to Shift Iraq Strategy

Surge has made total withdrawal impractical; Dem's advisers have plan

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Iraq • Barack Obama • John McCain • troop surge • Election 2008 • Iraq exit strategy

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Maliki Pegs Obama as the Most Pliant: Krauthammer

Iraq PM thinks Dem can be manipulated, writes Krauthammer

Best Iraq Policy Would Mix Mac, Obama Plans

Friedman: Timetable is a political must, but with a little wiggle room

Voters Split on Candidates' Iraq Stances: Poll

Poll score: Obama 50%, McCain 49%

Obama: Swift End to Iraq War Will Strengthen Security

Candidate makes position crystal clear

Obama Sways GOP on Iraq, Loses Dems

McCain backs plan; Pelosi thinks leaving 50K is too many

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

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More News

What is Newser?