From Military.com:
Feb 03, 2016 | by Richard Sisk
The U.S. routinely has more troops on the ground in Iraq than the 3,500-3,600 frequently cited by Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, the high command and President Barack Obama, a U.S. military spokesman in Baghdad said Wednesday.
"It's fair to say" that the number of U.S. troops in Iraq serving as trainers and advisors -- or in support or on special assignment -- was well above 4,000 on a daily basis, said Army Col. Steve Warren, a spokesman for Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve led by Army Lt. Gen. Sean McFarland.
I though U.S. policy was now no boots on the ground?
"boots on the ground" is a vague term. It usually means infantry units, not special forces, artillery/air spotters and observers, or personnel who guard US embassies and other bases. The Iraqi Army is trying to retake Mosul soon, expect the number of US support people to ramp up again.
Thomas Sowell: There are no solutions, just trade-offs.
While it would be nice to bring our men and women in uniform home, all of them, from the Middle East, I'm afraid it's too unrealistic an expectation. I'd love to be wrong about that - that the Iraqi military is strong enough to prevent chaos and that the government isn't corrupt and won't make life worse for the citizens. We should never have gone there in the first place as you can't force a democracy on a country, the people have to choose it for themselves and want/try to make it happen by their own efforts, but that's neither here nor there at this point.
This is probably an unpopular statement, but until we curb our defense spending, the US will not be leaving Iraq. It's been too lucrative for contractors over there to keep that cash-flow going and recommending cutting military spending is political suicide.
"Now, more than ever, the illusions of division threaten our very existence. We all know the truth: more connects us than separates us. But in times of crisis the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another as if we were one single tribe.” -King T'Challa, Black Panther
The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it. ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is. ~Winston Churchill
What would Iraq look like today if Obama had fought for a status of forces agreement and kept 10-15k troops there? Biden said that Iraq would be one of Obama's greatest accomplishments. Nothing more laughable than that ignorant statement.
The left is angry because they are now being judged by the content of their character and not by the color of their skin.
It was an ignorant statement. Trying to impose Western will in the Middle East is unrealistic.
"Now, more than ever, the illusions of division threaten our very existence. We all know the truth: more connects us than separates us. But in times of crisis the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another as if we were one single tribe.” -King T'Challa, Black Panther
The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it. ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is. ~Winston Churchill
