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December 2, 2008 10:08:33 PM CST


Iraq exit strategy

Iraq exit strategy news stories

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OPINION

 How to Transition Out of Iraq 

David Ignatius offers a strategy for scaling back in Iraq

(Newser) - It's time for the US to carve out a practical strategy in Iraq, David Ignatius argues in the Washington Post . At a cost of $400 million a day, the war is draining America's economy—precisely what Osama bin Laden hoped for. The solution will not be quick, simple, or easy, but rather "ambiguous, messy, occasionally in the shadows." More »

More about:  Iraq Iraq war Iran al-Qaeda US military military Iraq exit strategy

Opinion

Iraq Could Win the Election
—for McCain

GOP candidate should focus on rapidly improving war

(Newser) - Conventional wisdom has it that supporting the Iraq war is a major weakness for John McCain, but conventional wisdom is wrong, writes Charles Krauthammer in the Washington Post. In his victory speech, Barack Obama said it was “time for Iraqis to take responsibility for their own future,” but as the Basra and Mosul offenses proved, that’s already happening, he writes, spelling out a list of recent successes. More »

More about:  Barack Obama John McCain Iraq McCain 2008 Iraq exit strategy

(Newser) - The death toll in Iraq plunged in May, with 21 US military dead the lowest monthly figure in more than 4 years. Iraqi civilians and troopers also saw a decline, with 532 deaths in May, compared with 1,080 the month before. But in the absence of lasting political agreements, many fear this signals a breathing spell in violence rather than the start of a longer trend. More »

More about:  Iraq military troop surge Iraq exit strategy al-Qaeda in Iraq death toll Iraq death toll Iraq violence military presence

McCain Sees Troops out of Iraq by 2013

Senator envisions winning war in first term in text of speech

(Newser) - John McCain thinks he can end the Iraq war and bring most troops home within his first term as president, he says in the text of a speech, obtained by the Los Angeles Times , to be delivered this morning. McCain’s doesn't acknowledge a policy change, but includes a list of what he expects to accomplish in his first term: “By January 2013, America has welcomed home most of the servicemen and women who have sacrificed terribly." More »

More about:  John McCain Iraq McCain 2008 Iraq exit strategy timetable

Dems Assail McCain on War

Obama would defy Petraeus to withdraw; DNC ads knock Mac's '100 years' in Iraq

(Newser) - Barack Obama and John McCain clashed over Iraq today, as the DNC readies an ad campaign criticizing McCain's now-infamous remark about keeping troops in Iraq for 100 years. In a Fox News interview, Obama pledged to withdraw troops from Iraq even if Gen. David Petraeus advised against it. But the McCain camp says Obama's leadership "can't deliver." More »

OPINION

'100 Years' Flap Clearly a Sore Spot for GOP

Republicans' frequent complaints about Dems signal stress

(Newser) - Republicans are complaining loudly that Democrats keep distorting John McCain's comments about staying in Iraq for 100 years. So loudly, in fact, that it's a dead giveaway the GOP is seriously worried about the consequences of McCain's statement, writes Steve Benen in Salon. The continuing fallout is the "single biggest mess" for his campaign. More »

More about:  John McCain Iraq exit strategy political spin NRCC

ANALYSIS

 Petraeus Foils
 Senators Seeking Exit  

General, Crocker continue testimony on Capitol Hill today

(Newser) - David Petraeus and Ryan Crocker head back to Capitol Hill this morning after a grueling day of testimony that was short on substance and clear goals, writes the Washington Post . Pressed repeatedly yesterday to describe what "conditions" they would like to see before recommending a troop withdrawal, the general and ambassador parried for 8 straight hours, offering bromides like "battlefield geometry" and "political-military calculus." More »

More about:  John McCain Iraq Congress David Petraeus Iraq exit strategy Ryan Crocker Carl Levin Petraeus Crocker plan Armed Services Committee

Updated

 Senate
 Grills
 Petraeus
 on Basra 

McCain mixes up Sunnis, Shiites again

(Newser) - The campaign trail ran through a scheduled Senate Armed Service Committee appearance by David Petraeus and Ryan Crocker today, as John McCain and Hillary Clinton helped grill the general and ambassador on Iraq. McCain zeroed in on the the widespread Iraqi defections in Basra last week, saying, “It was a disappointment.” "It was, although it is not over yet, Senator," Petraeus countered. More »

More about:  John McCain David Petraeus Iraq exit strategy Basra Ryan Crocker Carl Levin Senate Armed Services Committee

US Presence in Iraq Open-Ended in Secret Pact 

US-Iraq deal would remove limit on
troops, weapons

(Newser) - US officials and the Iraqi government plan to authorize an open-ended American presence in Iraq, according to a secret draft of an agreement between the two nations. The March 7 draft, leaked to the Guardian , is intended to replace the current UN mandate authorizing operations that expires this year. The new plan would give the US authority to "conduct military operations in Iraq and to detain individuals when necessary." More »

More about:  Iraq US military Nouri al-Maliki Iraq exit strategy military presence

OPINION

Foreign-Policy Bigwigs Duel on Wisdom of Ending War

Brzezinski says it can't finish soon enough; Boot says US mustn't leave Iraq in lurch

(Newser) - Advisors to Barack Obama and John McCain spar over ending the Iraq war in Washington Post editorials, with Zbigniew Brzezinski saying rapid departure will likely bring stability, and Max Boot arguing it would spell disaster. The former national-security adviser says much jihadism is product of anti-American fervor, a charge Boot dismisses—adding it’s sunny optimism to expect relief at US departure. More »

More about:  Barack Obama John McCain Iraq war Iran al-Qaeda Iraq exit strategy Zbigniew Brzezinski

 Bush Praises Iraqi Offensive 

President scolds Congress' calls for withdrawal

(Newser) - President Bush praised the government of Iraq today for the offensive launched three days ago against militias in Basra, painting it as a sign of progress toward the goals of the US war, the AP reports. Bush also criticized Congress for calling for troop withdrawals so the military’s attention could be turned to anti-terrorism efforts elsewhere, such as Afghanistan. More »

 Petraeus to Bush: Hold 
 Troop Levels Steady 

General's advice means significant drawdowns will be left to next prez

(Newser) - Troop levels should remain steady in Iraq once they return to pre-surge levels in July, Gen. David Petraeus told President Bush today. Petraeus urged a period of “consolidation and evaluation,” with monthly reviews of ground conditions—meaning Bush would likely leave major troop reductions to his successor, the New York Times reports. More »

More about:  George W. Bush David Petraeus Iraq exit strategy Ryan Crocker