ANALYSIS
National security team shows transition from candidate to leader
New York Times 14 hours, 37 minutes ago
(Newser)
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Yesterday's unveiling of Barack Obama's national security team did more than just end the rancor between him and Hillary Clinton; it established Obama as leader of a broad coalition that may transform his own views on American power. As Peter Baker writes for the New York Times , Obama's partnership with Clinton, whose diplomatic judgment he once mocked, and Robert Gates, who is running a war he denounced as "dumb", signals his conversion from candidate to leader.
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analysis
Defense secretary wants to close Gitmo, focus on Afghanistan
New York Times Nov 27, 08 11:16 AM CST
(Newser)
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Assuming he keeps his job, Robert Gates will have a transformed set of instructions come Jan. 20: Once charged with winning the war in Iraq, the defense secretary will now have to end it. But Gates and Barack Obama have substantial agreements about the nation's military strategy, the New York Times reports, from shifting more troops to Afghanistan to shutting down Guantanamo.
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Pact gives Iraqis more oversight over American presence
Associated Press Nov 27, 08 8:14 AM CST
(AP)
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Iraq's parliament today passed a security pact with the US that lets American troops stay in the country for 3 more years. The ruling coalition's Shiite and Kurdish blocs as well as the largest Sunni Arab bloc backed the "yes" vote, the AP reports. The parliament speaker said an "overwhelming majority" lawmakers present voted in favor. PM Nouri al-Maliki appeared to have won the comfortable majority he sought to give the agreement additional legitimacy.
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OPINION
People are dying, and more importantly, money is being lost
Politico Nov 26, 08 11:30 AM CST
(Newser)
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You don’t hear much about the Iraq war these days, though the US death toll hit 4,205 on Monday. If human life isn't a convincing enough reason to bow out, writes Roger Simon in Politico, then here's one that "really is upsetting people these days: money." The war costs us $9-$12 billion per month, making Detroit’s request for a $25 billion bailout seem paltry.
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Political bargaining forces postponement to tomorrow
Associated Press Nov 26, 08 10:42 AM CST
(AP)
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Intense dealmaking among Iraq's political factions has delayed until tomorrow a parliamentary vote on the security pact that would allow American forces to stay in the country through 2011. The Shiite-led government is struggling to meet the demands of political blocs, including a large group of Sunni Arab lawmakers, seeking concessions in return for supporting the agreement.
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Breakthrough sets stage for vote to have Americans out in 2011
Los Angeles Times Nov 15, 08 1:30 PM CST
(Newser)
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Nouri al-Maliki has thrown his support behind the latest version of a proposed US-Iraqi security pact and will urge his Cabinet members to do the same, the Los Angeles Times reports. The Iraqi prime minister’s support represents a huge step in the contentious negotiations to replace an expiring UN mandate. Under the deal, US troops would be out by the end of 2011.
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Army stretched too thin, top commander says
Guardian (UK) Nov 10, 08 12:31 PM CST
(Newser)
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Britain should oppose any calls from President Obama to shift troops to Afghanistan as they are pulled out of Iraq, the country's defense chief says, arguing that UK troops need a breather. “I have said for a very long time that the British armed forces are stretched,” Sir Jock Stirrup told the Guardian. “We have to put ourselves back into balance.” And the foreign secretary, David Miliband, says Britain is already doing its fair share in Afghanistan.
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Tens of thousands gather in protest
Associated Press Oct 18, 08 10:51 AM CDT
(AP)
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Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr today called on Iraq's parliament to reject a US-Iraqi security pact as tens of thousands of his followers rallied in Baghdad against the deal. "The Iraqi government has abandoned its duty before God and its people," Sadr said through a spokesman. "I am with every Sunni, Shiite or Christian who is opposed to the agreement ... and I reject, condemn and renounce the presence of occupying forces."
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OPINION
'Financial 9/11' calls for nation-building—at home, says Friedman
New York Times Sep 24, 08 8:57 AM CDT
(Newser)
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As America faces "a financial 9/11," what does the $1 trillion bailout mean for the country's other huge expense—the war in Iraq? Thomas L. Friedman plays ventriloquist in the New York Times , imagining President Bush telling Iraqi leaders that "you are now going to have to step up and finish this job" as the US will "turn inward to get our house back in order."
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GLOSSIES
US must defend honor, even preemptively; Iraq offers chance to make up for Vietnam
Atlantic Monthly Sep 10, 08 2:44 PM CDT
(Newser)
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John McCain’s views on war and defending the US were shaped by his Navy father and by his own time in Vietnam, Jeffrey Goldberg writes in the Atlantic , with victory as the only honorable outcome. His father believed public sentiment led to defeat in Vietnam even as a winning plan was taking root. “History repeats itself, huh?” says McCain, aware of the parallels with Iraq.
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He may also leave
any Afghan buildup
to his successor
Associated Press Sep 5, 08 10:47 AM CDT
(AP)
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President Bush's top defense advisers have recommended he maintain 15 combat brigades in Iraq until the end of the year—contrary to expectations that the improved security in Iraq would allow for quicker cuts, the AP has learned. If Bush follows the recommendations, he would delay any additional buildup in Afghanistan until early next year.
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General's views may not gel with brass' assessment
Christian Science Monitor Sep 4, 08 12:38 PM CDT
(Newser)
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When David Petraeus next comes to Washington, he won’t be speaking on Capitol Hill, the Christian Science Monitor reports. Pentagon officials have denied requests for more hearings with the Iraq commander because they’re not sure they’ll agree with his recommendations. Petraeus has been criticized for being too cautious about Iraq withdrawals, while Afghanistan needs more troops.
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