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I'm sure it is the case ... and you are correct - it's the "right thing to do". The O-Team doesn't care about Iraq at all - they got just what they wanted in Iraq. The issue here is Benghazi and ignoring the Diplomatic Mission there. They can't do that again. I read on 'The Hill" earlier today that the O-Team was sending in the Warship Mesa Verde with "attack" CV-22 helicopters". The Mesa Verde is NOT a War Ship and the CV-22's are NOT "attack helicopters". This is an evacuation plan - why would they try to present it as anything else?
The Bagdad Embassy is the Largest US Embassy in the World (and the most expensive) - we have to get those people out in view of what is going on there .... the good news is that the O-Team is aware of that ..... NOW. As usual - best deal is for the Big O to just keep his mouth shut and do his job, instead of the "all options on the table", BUT "not troops on the ground" that pander to his BASE and the uninformed.
Think on this for a mili-second - Kerry is in 'negotiations' with Iran (who is saying no outside interference except for themselves of course. to "ally" together to "save" Iraq. That might sound sensible in the short term (although we are in "negotiation" with them to give up their Nuclear Ambitions" :roll eyes: ..... BUT, let's look at the Long Term - Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey and Israel are NOT going to be Happy Campers to be dumped by the O-Team in favor of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Risk Aversion and Containment is not a very good Foreign Policy when you don't have a clue about the Players on the Field. Internal Domestic Politics is NOT the best way to formulate a Foreign Policy on the Fly in Panic Mode.
Nobody's dumping the Sunni nations and Israel for Iran.
The situation is changing rapidly. Prognostication at this point in time is a fool's move. The president will do what he was elected to do and act in what he feels is the nation's best interest. He and his staff will use the best intelligence on the planet to formulate the best plan of action that has the best interests of the nation.
He has already sent signals. Telling Maliki that he has to foster relations with all factions as a signal that we are not going to blank check this time around. Stationing the Ospreys offshore is also a signal that we're ready to get out toot suite and let them fight it out. Sending in 100 Special Ops to work with the Iraqi army to act as FOs(forward observers). In this type of fight, aircraft are useless unless you have communication and coordination between the ground and the aircraft. The G.H.W.Bush is useless without spotters on the ground. With the ISIS, there are no command centers or hardened bunkers, it's a bunch of bloodthirsty religious killers in a Toyota. I'm sure there's a run on Hellfire missiles right now for the drones.
So there you have it. The president has set the stage as follows
Publicly Told Maliki to get his diplomatic act together
Readied a total evacuation of American interests
Positioned forces to put a serious hurt on the ISIS
All options are on the table.
All you who want to ruminate on the perceived failures of the administration foreign policy better just stuff it right now. Tell us what you want the president to do and not condemn what he did. There will be plenty of time to Monday Morning quarterback.
Wait, is this seriously conservative outrage over Obama sending troops to protect the embassy while in another thread they continue their two year Benghazi crusade and another that complained that the numbers in the embassy are not enough? The cons continue to embarrass themselves with their incredible hypocrisy.
I think its outrage over sending in 100 special forces. I am surprised sending any troops back isn't a outrage to liberals as they are the ones who wanted all forces out. I think perhaps taking our embassy people out before another Bengashi happens is wise. I saw a report today and they have helicopters at the ready which can evacuate embassy people with security troops on board for extract. The 100 troops were reported to work with Iraq troops as advisors; not embassy security as reported by BBC and CNN. They also reported that consideration of air strikes is being considered but the danger is Iraq troops abandoned Stringer missiles that can take them down are in ISIS hands now. That perhaps answers the question of why we are reluctant to use air power; not civiliasn since they are in open when moving tanks we left behind. Seems it worse than things given to Afganistan rebels in past war with Russia.
Agreed. And Obama won in Afghanistan by capturing Osama. That makes sense....
[laughter]
I don't think he CAPTURED Osama. He attacked and had him killed in Pakistan which I am OK but many are not since its a different independent state we are allies with. Maybe we should go after terrorist in UK?
Slice it, dice it, chop it, spin doctor it anyway you want. There are troops on the ground in Iraq.
PERIOD.
Most conservatives are complaining that Obama won't take action in Iraq. They've been slamming Obama for pulling out in the first place.
There are Marines protecting the Embassy and can assist in evacuation. At this point, There are no Special Forces on the ground. They are good to go if the Iraqi army gets it together, put's up a fight and the president decides that is the course of action that is in the best interests of the United States.
It's one of his options.
I have no objections to it, just hope he lets us shoot back. Even if just for moral support, I think he should have left a small group over there anyway.
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