OPINION
David Ignatius offers a strategy for scaling back in Iraq
Washington Post Jun 19, 08 1:37 PM CDT
(Newser)
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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."
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Opinion
GOP candidate should focus on rapidly improving war
Washington Post Jun 13, 08 10:19 AM CDT
(Newser)
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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.
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Associated Press Jun 1, 08 8:05 AM CDT
(Newser)
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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.
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Senator envisions winning war in first term in text of speech
Los Angeles Times May 15, 08 7:40 AM CDT
(Newser)
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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."
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Obama would defy Petraeus to withdraw; DNC ads knock Mac's '100 years' in Iraq
Fox News Apr 27, 08 4:33 PM CDT
(Newser)
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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."
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OPINION
Republicans' frequent complaints about Dems signal stress
Salon Apr 9, 08 9:40 PM CDT
(Newser)
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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.
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ANALYSIS
General, Crocker continue testimony on Capitol Hill today
Washington Post Apr 9, 08 7:09 AM CDT
(Newser)
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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."
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Updated
McCain mixes up Sunnis, Shiites again
Associated Press Apr 8, 08 11:42 AM CDT
(Newser)
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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.
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US-Iraq deal would remove limit on
troops, weapons
Guardian (UK) Apr 8, 08 7:03 AM CDT
(Newser)
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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."
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OPINION
Brzezinski says it can't finish soon enough; Boot says US mustn't leave Iraq in lurch
Washington Post Mar 31, 08 11:36 AM CDT
(Newser)
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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.
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President scolds Congress' calls for withdrawal
Associated Press Mar 27, 08 4:47 PM CDT
(Newser)
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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.
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General's advice means significant drawdowns will be left to next prez
New York Times Mar 25, 08 10:00 AM CDT
(Newser)
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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.
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