Thread: NBC News: Pentagon Plans on staying in Iraq for another 20 years

NBC News is reporting that the Pentagon wants to stay for another 15-20 years and is already negotiating the option of retaining a permanent airbase near Kirkuk, an idea floated by Secretary of State Clinton during the presidential campaign last year, as though the SOFA never existed.


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Miklaszeswki: Secretary Gates, as early as 18 months to 2 years ago, was saying "look, everyone understands that we're going to have to start withdrawing from Iraq." But at the same time, Gates adds this caveat that he believes significant numbers of troops will remain in Iraq for years to come.

And in fact military commanders, despite this Status of Forces Agreement with the Iraqi government that all US forces would be out by the end of 2011, are already making plans for a significant number of American troops to remain in Iraq beyond that 2011 deadline, assuming that Status of Forces Agreement would be renegotiated.

And one senior military commander told us that he expects large numbers of American troops to be in Iraq for the next 15 to 20 years, David.

Gregory: 15 to 20 years, I think that takes a moment to really sink in. With a mission that is primarily what over that kind of time horizon, Mik?

Miklaszeswki: Again it would evolve from a day-to-day combat mission, to more of an oversight mission. We mustn't forget the US is providing nearly 100% of all combat air support over Iraq, and the Iraqi military is not going to be ready to assume that mission within the next 18 months to 2 years, it's going to be impossible.

And there are some discussions, I know Richard Engel mentioned the area of Kirkuk up in the north recently, there are some discussions among Iraqis and I know some military commanders to establish what could end up as a permanent air base, US air base, in Kirkuk.

Gregory: Striking

Does America Really, Really Mean the SOFA Agreement? | Crooks and Liars

Yeah. This could be a problem. We liberals are paying attention.

Good, sounds like Obama is starting to wise up.

Originally Posted by 2lane

Yeah. This could be a problem. We liberals are paying attention.

Anybody who has been paying attention would know this has been Obongo's plan since long before Jan 21.

Right, illegal occupations always sound swell.

I tried telling the Obama people this would happen, he is just like Bush, and country can't afford four more years of Bush. On the bright side, I think Obama is a one pump chimp, maybe in 2012, we can get a real president instead of a banker puppet!

Now explain how are we to have an imperial policy without bases? Did anyone actually think that we would just walk away? We have made Iraq a central part of our middle east strategy of imperialism and nothing short of complete defeat on our part will change that. This is the main reason Iran seeks nuclear weapons. They, with the help of the Russians, know what is in store for them should they fail in their attempts to provide their people with a means of defense against a nation bent on world domination.

Originally Posted by Horhey

NBC News is reporting that the Pentagon wants to stay for another 15-20 years and is already negotiating the option of retaining a permanent airbase near Kirkuk, an idea floated by Secretary of State Clinton during the presidential campaign last year, as though the SOFA never existed.


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Miklaszeswki: Secretary Gates, as early as 18 months to 2 years ago, was saying "look, everyone understands that we're going to have to start withdrawing from Iraq." But at the same time, Gates adds this caveat that he believes significant numbers of troops will remain in Iraq for years to come.

And in fact military commanders, despite this Status of Forces Agreement with the Iraqi government that all US forces would be out by the end of 2011, are already making plans for a significant number of American troops to remain in Iraq beyond that 2011 deadline, assuming that Status of Forces Agreement would be renegotiated.

And one senior military commander told us that he expects large numbers of American troops to be in Iraq for the next 15 to 20 years, David.

Gregory: 15 to 20 years, I think that takes a moment to really sink in. With a mission that is primarily what over that kind of time horizon, Mik?

Miklaszeswki: Again it would evolve from a day-to-day combat mission, to more of an oversight mission. We mustn't forget the US is providing nearly 100% of all combat air support over Iraq, and the Iraqi military is not going to be ready to assume that mission within the next 18 months to 2 years, it's going to be impossible.

And there are some discussions, I know Richard Engel mentioned the area of Kirkuk up in the north recently, there are some discussions among Iraqis and I know some military commanders to establish what could end up as a permanent air base, US air base, in Kirkuk.

Gregory: Striking

Does America Really, Really Mean the SOFA Agreement? | Crooks and Liars

well duh, we have to show the russians we can do it longer than they did, and in multiple countries at that...

cant wait till iran gets really involved...

15-20 makes me very optimistic. That will give us at least 3, maybe 4, or even 5 presidents to fuck things up before we leave. Perhaps that will be the point when everyone realizes that both parties are equally inept at ruling their own little fiefdoms, let alone the rest of the world.

Originally Posted by 2lane

Yeah. This could be a problem. We liberals are paying attention.

Bahahahahahaha... U wouldn't know, never served your country. Permanent airbase near Kirkuk and OShit attacked McCain with his 100 years comment.

I like oil, I love oil, I want oil, I need oil, I can't live without oil, I demand oil, I will fight for foreign oil, I will die for oil. I have an idea, can we drill for oil at home so we are less dependent on people that hate us? Nope, I almost forgot Hussein is a muslim that pals around with terrorists.

We need troops on the ground in force (at least 30,000) for the foreseeable future. Iraq is fine. Kuwait is fine. Afghanistan is OK.