A Pause In Withdrawal

By Cernig

George W. Bush has decided to run out the clock on the very worst decision of his presidency, the invasion and occupation of Iraq. Troop withdrawals are being effectively paused, leaving the next incumbent to decide what to do. There will be no new troop withdrawals until early 2009, at which point only 8,000 troops will leave - which means US troop levels post-Surge will continue to match US troop-levels pre-Surge for the rest of Bush's term in office at about 145,000.

That's not what the Surge was supposed to do. But it seems obvious, even from a cursory reading between the lines, that Petraeus is scared that Iraq is about to descend into chaos again - mostly due to the actions of Napoleon al-Maliki. That's not what the Surge was supposed to accomplish either.

Matt Duss has the analysis of the day:

As the president recognized in his speech, the new reality in Iraq is largely the result of "the tribes in Anbar…growing tired of al Qaida's brutality," which "presented us with an opportunity to defeat al Qaida." Let's think about what this means: Because of the chaos created by the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq, Al Qaeda was able to come in to Iraq (where they didn't exist before) and carry on a years-long campaign of mass murder against Iraqi civilians, such that Iraqis eventually turned against Al Qaeda. To suggest that this represents any sort of policy success is to make a mockery of the English language.

And "Quick Draw" John McCain was right there boosting for the invasion, even just after 9/11. He doesn't just own the Surge, successful or not, he's a full partner in the entire debacle. Abu Aardvark points to what a future McCain policy on Iraq would hold.

Bush's speech gives a very good preview of how Iraq policy would likely proceed under a McCain administration. A recitation of American successes, grim words of determination, followed by the decision that even though we're winning, this is not the right time for significant troop withdrawals. No new demands on Iraqi politicians, no wider strategic context, no mention of Iraqi demands for a deadline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops.  The McCain-Bush "conditions based" approach virtually guarantees that a reason will always be found to maintain high troop levels... and that this blank check will ensure that Iraqi politicians never see any reason to change their approach.

Comments

[Donna U]

That dolt is removing troops from Iraq only to send them into more harm's way in Afghanistan. He is accomplishing absolutely nothing. When will people get sick of his crap? All that idiot wants is war; it's like a drug to him. He's a sick, sick person who needs to be removed from office, even though his time is indeed limited at this stage. I see nothing good ahead for him, and the unfortunate United States troops he is using as his pawn.

[To What Cause]

Bush has left his mess for the next American President to clean up. His eight-year folly has cost numerous lives, disrupted the world in an unprecedented way, and now he is leaving his mess for his mommy, or nanny, to clean up. You cannot reason with insanity, only dispise and pity it. He leaves his legacy as America's most hated President.